Do you know the distinctions between espresso con Panna, macchiato, and affogato? To be honest, they’re quite similar. But they are also completely different, at least in terms of what they use. They’re distinct enough to stand out from the crowd.

So, let’s take a look at each drink and talk about its key points and how they differ from one another.

If you want to be an accomplished (or even mediocre) barista, you’ll need to understand the differences between espresso drinks.

What exactly is an espresso con Panna?

Espresso con Panna sounds like many things other than what it is. At least for those who do not speak Italian.

In reality, “con Panna” means “with cream” in Italian. There’s nothing complicated about it.

It could mean anything except for the rest of the world, so the drink’s name isn’t particularly self-explanatory.

But you now know. Espresso con Panna is simply a shot of espresso with whipped cream on top. Nothing else, nothing out of the ordinary.

Very simple to make and very pretty if you can make a swirl with the whipped cream.

What exactly is a macchiato?

Again, until you translate it, an espresso macchiato is unclear. In Italian, “macchiato” means “spotted, stained, marked.”

So the espresso has been stamped with something. What about? One teaspoon of frothy milk

In the center of the crema, there is a wonderful white area of milk froth, which makes for a nice contrast with the black espresso shot.

It’s quite lovely, and again, if you have milk froth on hand, it’s very simple to make. Please keep in mind that there are two types of macchiatos on the market.

The first is the espresso macchiato, the original version and exactly what I just described.

The other option is a latte macchiato, the opposite of the original. That is, a single shot of espresso is slowly poured into a large glass of steamed and frothed milk.

This creates a spot in the center of the milk and flips the entire beverage on its head. Delicious, but not the same as the original.

Some coffee shops don’t distinguish between the two, so make sure to ask for espresso macchiato if you want the espresso-based one.

What exactly is an affogato?

Espresso affogato is probably the most perplexing of the bunch. In Italian, the name means ‘drowned.’ And that doesn’t sound very appealing or make much sense until you look at the drink.

The drowned part is caused by the single serving of vanilla ice cream in the middle of the espresso. Alternatively, the espresso is poured into a small cup containing one scoop of vanilla ice cream.

This is a dessert coffee that is delicious as a summer treat. The distinction is in the topping.

So, by now, you’ve realized that the structure of these drinks is nearly identical. Take one part espresso and one part dairy-based beverage. Whipped cream is used in espresso con Panna.

The espresso con Panna’s origins have been lost to the ages, though some claim it originated in the coffee houses of Vienna a couple of centuries ago.

The addition of whipped cream makes it a very pretty drink similar to Viennese coffee.

If you prefer a smoother, sweeter beverage, espresso con Panna is for you. It’s also a little fancier in the sense that it simply looks better than anything you’ve ever seen.

This is more of a “sit back, and people watch” drink than anything else. Even with that espresso shot, it won’t provide as strong a caffeine kick as others.

The reason for this is that cream slows down the effects of caffeine and digestion.

So it’s a good morning coffee if you prefer a gentle wake-up call rather than a shot of adrenaline. A dollop of milk froth is added to an espresso macchiato.

In order to keep the drink from becoming too strong, it is recommended that the milk froth on top be left on for a few seconds before removing it.

If anything, it’ll just take the sting out of the espresso and make it a little less bitter. Of course, the amount of milk froth on top of your espresso is also a factor.

Normally, only a teaspoon should be used for aesthetic reasons and to avoid dulling the coffee. But now and then, even if it’s just a thing one, you’ll find an entire layer of milk froth.

If you need a quick caffeine fix, this is the drink for you. You should order an espresso macchiato. It’s the most potent of the three drinks we’re discussing right now.

It also uses an espresso shot, which is very true. However, it contains the least amount of milk or dairy products, which may interfere with the caffeine slightly.

This is the perfect spot to go if you’re searching for something quick and easy to drink that can be consumed in two gulps or less.

Affogato is made with ice cream, usually vanilla. What’s the point of using vanilla ice cream? Aside from the fact that it pairs so well with espresso’s bitter, earthy tones?

affogato is traditionally served in this manner, and it was also one of the most widely accessible ice creams when Affogato was first introduced to the world.

Of course, you can find affogato in almost any flavor that goes well with coffee. Banoffee, caramel, chocolate, pistachio, you name it, someone has most likely made it.

One of the best affogatos I’ve ever had was made right in my kitchen with hazelnut and vanilla ice cream.

If you want a desert-like drink, affogato is the way to go. However, because it’s coffee, it has a nice bitter taste.

It’s also ice cream, which is sweet and refreshing and something most people enjoy in the summer.

In some ways, it’s similar to an unmixed milkshake. Allow the ice cream to melt slightly and mix in the slush, and you’ve got yourself a quick coffee milkshake!

Conclusion

Affogato, macchiato, and espresso con Panna are all excellent ways to appreciate the full flavor of a good espresso.

It’s just that they do it a little differently, and they each deserve to be on the menu for different reasons.

I like espresso con Panna. There’s something opulent about whipped cream on espresso, not to mention the contrast between the two colors.

Please see the related articles below if you want to learn more about coffee or tea. Who knows what else you’ll discover?