CORTADO COFFEE: WHAT IS IT AND WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES WITH THE MACCHIATO ONE?

Coffee is a much loved drink in many countries of the world, each region has different ways and traditions to consume it.

We know that its origin can be attributed to Ethiopia , but also in Latin America , coffee is produced and consumed in large quantities.

Precisely in Argentina, Mexico, Peru and Cuba, various proposals can be found, including cortado coffee .

What is Cortado Coffee?

How many times have you found Cortado coffee on the menu of bars, restaurants and clubs and never tried to taste it, because you don’t know exactly what it is? Let’s dissolve the doubts.

Cortado coffee is a “cut” espresso with milk . In Spanish “cortar” really means to cut, this action has the purpose of reducing the typical acidity of the coffee.

This drink was born in Argentina and then spread throughout Europe, in particular, in Portugal and Spain.

It is usually served in a small glass with a metal disc at the base, which preserves its taste and aroma. The handle is also made of the same material.

The variants of Cortado coffee

Cortado coffee has been a real success and the proof is the many alternative varieties that have been born, far from the land of origin.

For example, in Cuba, it is called “cordadito”, while in the Catalan region “tallat”. There are some proposals that modify the original recipe, such as the Cortado Condensada, which is prepared with condensed milk and the leche y leche, which combines condensed milk and cream.

Those who want to reduce the acidity of the coffee almost completely, love the version called the Lágrima , a Cortado with reverse proportions: the glass is filled with hot milk and then only a drop of coffee is poured.

Difference between Cortado coffee and macchiato coffee

Cortado is prepared in a glass of about 120 ml and, as per Argentine tradition, combined with Medialunas , i.e. sweet croissants.

Simple milk and coffee? Not really. Although reading the ingredients, it may seem that it is the South American version of the Italian macchiato , there are substantial differences in the preparation.

Italian-style macchiato, cold or hot, is an espresso to which a small amount of milk is added, resulting in an almost completely frothy macchiato.

In the Cortado, milk is a fundamental ingredient which is added in greater quantities. We can think of this drink as a cross between an Italian macchiato and a cappuccino, even if it is a very approximate concept.

Another difference lies behind the origins of these two types of coffee. Cortado was born from the need to reduce the acidity of the coffee and its bitter taste, while the Italian macchiato has very ancient origins.

In fact, it seems that in the past, to indicate to the waiters which cups to serve at the table, the bartenders marked them with a speck of foam. Consumers liked this idea very much, to the point that it was included in the menus and soon became one of the most popular variants in Italy and in the world.

Making Cortado coffee at home

Cortado coffee is very simple to prepare at home. First of all, you need to make a 25/30 ml espresso in a 100/120 ml glass. Then, in a milk jug with steam wand or milk frother, heat the milk.

The frothed milk is poured onto the espresso until the glass is completely filled. Consume hot to fully enjoy all the aroma and its intensity.

Alternatively, it is now also possible to prepare an excellent Cortado coffee quickly and easily directly with the coffee machine, for example with the DolceVita cortado coffee capsules compatible with the Dolce Gusto® and A Modo Mio® systems