Macchiato after a cup of drip coffee

I realized I haven’t really talked about coffee or caffeine here yet, even though my blog is called Journal & Caffeine. So today, I want to share a bit about one of my favorite drinks, the Macchiato, and how it fits into my journaling routine.

.*Materials I used for this journal:

• Felt pens 0.3-0.5mm, color pencils and calligraphy pen.

• Graphic stamps and tapes.

• Magazine cut-out images.

• Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo & print

• Drip coffee, croissant & macchiato

While I enjoy Matcha, Sencha, and Black tea, coffee is my favorite. I usually start my mornings with a light black coffee at home, followed by a latte from my favorite café, and then something stronger, like an Espresso or a Macchiato. A classic Macchiato is just Espresso with a little foam, but I prefer mine with two shots and extra creamy steamed milk. That’s how my favorite baristas make it, and now it’s my top choice.

With a small cup of Macchiato, I begin a rough draft of my journal page. The mix of caffeine and the cozy atmosphere helps my ideas flow. With bags of cut-outs and stationery, I start by adding magazine clippings mixed with graphic tapes, and jotting down spontaneous phrases or words. Since today's journal was to write about my coffee style, I concluded with a photo of the barista making my Macchiato, taken with my Fujifilm camera Instax Mini Evo, and a coffee mark.

If you're curious about the camera Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo I used, you can find my product reviews on my blog.

https://journalandcaffeine.com/instax-mini-evo

This camera is easy to use and lets me print photos right away, so I can add them to my journal.

I’m not a coffee expert, so I won’t go into all the different types of Macchiatos. If you want a quick overview, I’ve added a short note below. Personally, when Espresso feels too strong and Cappuccino seems too mild, a Macchiato hits the sweet spot for me. It’s right in the middle.

Main Types of Macchiato

• Espresso Macchiato (Traditional and my favorite style): A single or double shot of espresso topped with a spot of hot milk or foam. This is a small, strong drink served in a demitasse cup, aimed at bridging the gap between an espresso and a cappuccino.

• Latte Macchiato: A larger drink made by pouring a small amount of espresso into a cup of steamed milk, creating a layered effect. The milk is "stained" by the coffee, resulting in a milder, creamier beverage served in a tall glass.

Other Common Variations

• Caramel Macchiato: Popularized by chains like Starbucks, this is a latte macchiato (vanilla syrup + steamed milk) marked with espresso and topped with caramel drizzle.

• Long Macchiato: Common in Australia, this uses a double shot of espresso with a small amount of milk and foam.

• Iced Macchiato: A latte macchiato served over ice rather than with hot steamed milk.

• Flavored Macchiatos: Using the latte macchiato base, other popular syrups include vanilla, hazelnut, or mocha.