Starbucks Cappuccino vs. Latte vs. Macchiato: what is the main difference?

Coffee has been one of my favorite beverages to take for years because of the energy surge they give. Since I always have a coffee cup in my hand, my work colleague suggested I try a Starbucks espresso-based one. I was undecided on whether to try a cappuccino, latte, or macchiato. I eventually tried them all and created this article from my experience and research to help you understand the differences. Keep reading to find out!

What are the differences between Starbucks Cappuccino vs. Latte vs. Macchiato?

Features	Starbucks Cappuccino	Starbucks Latte	Starbucks Macchiato
Ingredients	Brewed espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam	Brewed espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam	Brewed espresso, and a dollop of milk and milk foam
Taste profile	Has a bold taste with hints of cocoa	Has a creamy and mild taste	Has a strong taste
Caffeine content/ Nutritional value	A tall cappuccino has 75mg of caffeine, 100 calories, 9 grams of sugar, 4 grams of fat, and 10 grams of carbs.   This beverage has the same caffeine as the other two but fewer calories than a latte.	A tall latte contains 75mg of caffeine and 150 calories, with 14 grams of sugar, 6 grams of fat, and 15 grams of carbs.   This beverage has the same caffeine as the other two but with the most calories.	A solo macchiato has 75mg of caffeine, 10 calories, 1 gram of sugar, 0 grams of fat, and 0 grams of carbs.   This beverage has the same caffeine as the other two but has the least calories.
Availability/ Accessibility	It is available and easily accessible from the Starbucks stores or online through the app.	It is available and easily accessible from the Starbucks stores or online through the app. However, some of its variations are seasonal.	It is available and easily accessible from the Starbucks stores or online through the app.
Roast level	Dark roast	Dark or light roast	Dark roast

Starbucks Cappuccino vs. Latte vs. Macchiato – How They Compare

What it’s made of (ingredients)

The Starbucks Cappuccino consists of a dark and rich brewed espresso and 2% steamed milk, topped off with a thick layer of milk foam. The three are in equal proportion with hints of cocoa. You can have add-ins and toppings like chocolate or cinnamon sprinkles and caramel drizzle.

The Starbucks Caffe Latte comprises dark brewed espresso and 2% steamed milk with a light layer of foam. In the latte, we have more milk than the espresso. Starbucks has different variations of the classic latte, like the Caramel Brulee Latte, Cinnamon Dolce, and Pistachio latte, with pistachio sauce and salted brown butter cookie flavored topping.

On the other hand, the Starbucks Macchiato consists of brewed espresso and a scoop of milk foam. Different ones depend on the shots of espresso. The Solo has one shot of espresso, a Doppio two, a Triple three, and a Quad four; all blended with a dollop of milk and foam. Starbucks also has the Caramel Macchiato with 2% steamed milk, brewed espresso, milk foam, vanilla syrup, and caramel sauce. For a tall, the barista will add two pumps of vanilla syrup, while a grande will have three pumps.

The Starbucks Latte wins this category because there are plenty of options to choose from the different variations. There’s an assortment of ingredients and various lattes to suit your preference.

Taste profile

The bold taste of coffee, lightly sweetened with hints of cocoa and topped off with airy foam, is heavenly. Many coffee lovers love the Starbucks Cappuccino because of the equal proportions of espresso, milk, and foam, such that no ingredient is overshadowed. The flavor of the dark, rich espresso, perfectly blended with just enough milk, is distinct and slightly bitter.

On the hand, the Starbucks Latte is creamy because the espresso is blended with more steamed milk compared to the Starbucks Cappuccino. The beverage is milky, even if you add an extra shot of espresso, and has a velvety feel. The taste of coffee is light and subtle, making the beverage sweet.

The Starbucks Macchiato has the strongest coffee taste, especially the Espresso Macchiato. The rich brewed espresso is blended with a bit of milk and foam, just enough to tone down the harshness. It is an intense taste that is sure to excite your taste buds. Caramel Macchiato has vanilla syrup, and caramel sauce incorporated for more flavor and delectation.

The Starbucks Cappuccino wins this category. The bold coffee taste with hints of cocoa is just delicious.

Caffeine content/ nutritional value

Despite the bold flavor, the Starbucks Cappuccino has a moderate amount of caffeine at 150mg in a Grande, and 75 mg in a tall for a surge of energy. The calories are not very alarming, with 140 calories in a Grande and 100 calories in a tall. A tall has 9 grams of sugar, 4 grams of fat, and 10 grams of carbs. It is safe to say that you can comfortably have a good serving of a Starbucks Cappuccino.

On the other hand, the Starbucks Latte has the same amount of caffeine as the cappuccino despite its mild taste, with 150mg in a Grande and 75mg in a tall. The calories, however, are much higher and depend on the type of latte you go for. For the classic Caffe Latte, a Grande has 190 calories, while a tall one has 150 calories with 14 grams of sugar, 6 grams of fat, and 15 grams of carbs. Adding more flavors significantly gears the beverage toward the unhealthy side. For example, a Pistachio Latte has a notable 320 calories in a Grande, while a tall one has 230 calories with 33 grams of sugar, 6 grams of fat, and 35 grams of carbs.

Similarly, the Starbucks Macchiato has the same caffeine level as the cappuccino and latte despite the intense coffee taste. The classic Espresso Macchiato has 150mg in a Doppio, and 75 mg in a Solo. The Solo has an impressive 10 calories with 1 gram of sugar, 0 grams of fat, and 0 grams of carbs while a Doppio has 15 calories. This is the healthiest drink among the three based on calories. Starbucks also has the Caramel Macchiato with the same amount of caffeine, just more sugar. It has 150mg of caffeine and 250 calories in a grande. A tall has 75mg of caffeine and 190 calories, with 25 grams of sugar, 6 grams of fat, and 26 grams of carbs.

The three have the same amount of caffeine. But when we factor in the nutritional value, the Espresso Macchiato is your best option, with only 15 calories in a Doppio. Therefore, Starbucks Macchiato wins this category.

Availability/Accessibility

The Starbucks Cappuccino, Latte, and Macchiato are all available throughout the year. They are easily accessible from Starbucks stores or online through the app by simply ordering them by name.

However, some Starbucks Latte variations are seasonal such as the Caramel Brulee Latte. Therefore, they may be unavailable all the time.

It is a draw in this category because classic cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiato are available. You can easily access any of them, apart from the seasonal variations.

Roast level

The Starbucks Cappuccino is a dark roast espresso brewed from 100 % Arabica coffee. It gives the beverage its bold and rich flavor.

The Starbucks Latte uses dark roast espresso, which is roasted without burning the beans. This gives the beverage a lighter flavor. A light roast is also used for some variants, like the Starbucks Blonde Vanilla, which produces a more flavorful beverage.

Moreover, the Starbucks Macchiato also utilizes a rich and dark roast for an intense burst of coffee flavor.

In this category, it was close to a draw since they all use dark roast coffee, but the Starbucks Latte wins because of the additional light roast in its Blonde Vanilla Latte, which is smooth and full of flavor.

Starbucks Cappuccino vs. Latte vs. Macchiato: A Comparison Overview

Starbucks Cappuccino – Overview

The Starbucks Cappuccino is a balanced concoction of espresso, milk, and milk foam that will entice your taste buds. I enjoyed the bold coffee taste with hints of cocoa that makes the drink remarkable. It has a nice bitterness to it and smells a bit like cocoa. It is a treat for coffee lovers who don’t necessarily enjoy too much sweetness.

Thanks to Starbucks for its various customization options, you can tweak the beverage to your liking. Try it with some peppermint, vanilla, or caramel syrup.

What I liked

• Its rich, bold taste
• Sweet aroma
• The airy foam makes it mouth-watering

What I didn’t like

• The taste can be pretty bitter, deterring a splurge on a large serving.

Who it’s best suited for

• It is best suited for coffee lovers who enjoy a bold coffee taste that is not excessively sweet.

Starbucks latte- Overview

This beverage is creamy and tastes amazing. Its decorative patterns make it so appealing to look at. The beautiful blend of milk and espresso lets you enjoy coffee without bitterness. Starbucks offers a variety of options when it comes to lattes, and you can always customize it by adding your desired flavors. It is easy to personalize and even have a plant-based alternative.

I enjoyed that it had a subtle taste of coffee engulfed in the creaminess, but still, the caffeine content was not compromised. You’d love the Starbucks Latte if you like a mild coffee taste.

What I liked

• Its creamy taste
• Has no bitter taste

What I didn’t like

• The mild coffee taste

Who it’s best suited for.

• It is best suited for customers who love a creamy cup of coffee with a light coffee flavor.

Starbucks macchiato- Overview

The strong taste of coffee captures your attention as soon as you sip. This beverage wholesomely satisfies your coffee craving. I tried the caramel macchiato, and I loved the blend of all the bold flavors. The taste of coffee with caramel, vanilla, and a dash of milk is mouth-watering.

You would love the Starbucks Macchiato if you prefer a strong coffee taste. It may not be ideal if you have a sweet tooth, but it has a low-calorie content. It does not have enough milk to counteract, which makes it very flavorful. I love that you can add more flavors to the drink to customize it to your liking.

What I liked

• The strong flavor was captivating
• Moderate sweetness
• Low-calorie content

What I didn’t like

• The flavor is a bit too strong to indulge in the macchiato regularly

Who it’s best suited for.

• It is suited for customers who prefer a low-calorie intake or a strong coffee flavor.

Final Verdict: So, Which is Better? – Starbucks Cappuccino vs. Latte vs. Macchiato

The Starbucks Latte is better than the Cappuccino or Macchiato. There is a good deal of variations to choose from, carefully crafted to produce a delightful delicacy. It is creamy and smooth with a velvety finish. It has just the right amount of coffee on top of all its sweetness, and you can add more shots of espresso to the beverage, which will still be milky. It is beautiful to look at with all the possible decorative patterns. However, be sure not to be swayed by the sugar load and indulge moderately since lattes have a high-calorie content. Order a Starbucks Latte today, and enjoy a creamy and calming treat.

FAQ SECTION

Which one tastes better among the cappuccino, macchiato, and latte?

The latte tastes better because it is sweeter than a cappuccino and macchiato. The creaminess makes it delightful for its enthusiasts.

Is cappuccino stronger than latte and macchiato?

A cappuccino is stronger than a latte, but a macchiato is stronger than a cappuccino.

Which one is more bitter between cappuccino, latte, and macchiato?

The most bitter is a macchiato, followed by a cappuccino. A latte is the least bitter.