This article started off somewhat of a social experiment. I'd go into a coffee shop and ask for a macchiato, and see what I get. As such, I'm writing this review about traditional macchiatos; that is, a 2 to 3 oz. drink consisting of an espresso shot and foamed milk or cream. That stands in contrast to a latte or a cappuccino, which consist of varying quantities of espresso, cream, and foam (a Starbucks-style Caramel Macchiato is probably most similar to a heavily-sugared latte). Trust me, I was briefly trained a a barista, and I can (and have) waxed poetic about the "starbucksification" of the modern coffee market.
Timing got weird, with CoVid-19 and statewide "stay home, stay safe" orders. I started writing in February, and decided to publish in October. So, what started off as an article intended to explore all of the great coffee shops in Holland ended as a review of my favorite 3.
One of my hands-down favorite coffee shops in Holland is Lemonjello's. The atmosphere is great, and they've evolved from the "emo kid" aesthetic into a more mature, hipstery, young professional type place. It's always crowded with students from Hope, guys in suits stopping in for a mid-day pick-me-up, and weird bloggers wearing thrift store blazers and carrying Italian army surplus satchels (wait a second, that's just me). But, that's not what this post is about. Their macchiato is impeccable! It's presented in a small ceramic glass, on a wooden plank, with a shot glass of sparkling water as a palate cleanser. The flavor is rich and creamy, with almost buttery notes on the tail end. A macchiato at Lemonjello's is truly its own drink; coffee and cream blend together near perfectly.
In contrast to the uniformity of Lemonjello's, the traditional macchiato at Simpatico is complex and layered. Whereas a dusty or ashy espresso shot can be indicative of a bad pour, Simpatico's espresso has a bold, hearty flavor with notes of pipe or cigar smoke. Incredibly unique for an espresso blend, which shows in the pride that Simpatico takes in roasting their own beans. And speaking of pride, the cream and espresso dance around each other. I mentioned "layered" above, and that's the best descriptor I can come up with: You taste the cream and the espresso simultaneously, yet separately. This was, to me, an art form.
My third macchiato was from 205 Coffee Bar, also in Downtown Holland. While it wasn't actually on the menu, the talented barista made me a macchiato exactly as she should've, complete with the spot on the top! The body was dense and creamy, all the way from start to finish. While LJ's and Simpatico's macchiatos felt like they thinned out once you got under the frothy, heady crema, the 205 macchiato retained that mouthfeel throughout the drink. The drink, as requested, was unflavored – nuttin' but espresso and milk. Yet, the chewy sweetness of caramel and vanilla rode the middle of the palate, before finishing in notes of molasses and dried fruits. I'd love to know which sugar reaction causes that distinct flavor, because it's present in some of my favorite beers and wines as well.
While I can't say that these are necessarily the top 3, they're definitely my 3 favorites – as I mentioned above, my qualifications are that I operate a blog, and I have sat through a barista training class for a few hours one day at work. I can only offer my opinions. There are other macchiatos, of course, but I've chosen to highlight my 3 favorites.
Timing got weird, with CoVid-19 and statewide "stay home, stay safe" orders. I started writing in February, and decided to publish in October. So, what started off as an article intended to explore all of the great coffee shops in Holland ended as a review of my favorite 3.
One of my hands-down favorite coffee shops in Holland is Lemonjello's. The atmosphere is great, and they've evolved from the "emo kid" aesthetic into a more mature, hipstery, young professional type place. It's always crowded with students from Hope, guys in suits stopping in for a mid-day pick-me-up, and weird bloggers wearing thrift store blazers and carrying Italian army surplus satchels (wait a second, that's just me). But, that's not what this post is about. Their macchiato is impeccable! It's presented in a small ceramic glass, on a wooden plank, with a shot glass of sparkling water as a palate cleanser. The flavor is rich and creamy, with almost buttery notes on the tail end. A macchiato at Lemonjello's is truly its own drink; coffee and cream blend together near perfectly.
In contrast to the uniformity of Lemonjello's, the traditional macchiato at Simpatico is complex and layered. Whereas a dusty or ashy espresso shot can be indicative of a bad pour, Simpatico's espresso has a bold, hearty flavor with notes of pipe or cigar smoke. Incredibly unique for an espresso blend, which shows in the pride that Simpatico takes in roasting their own beans. And speaking of pride, the cream and espresso dance around each other. I mentioned "layered" above, and that's the best descriptor I can come up with: You taste the cream and the espresso simultaneously, yet separately. This was, to me, an art form.
My third macchiato was from 205 Coffee Bar, also in Downtown Holland. While it wasn't actually on the menu, the talented barista made me a macchiato exactly as she should've, complete with the spot on the top! The body was dense and creamy, all the way from start to finish. While LJ's and Simpatico's macchiatos felt like they thinned out once you got under the frothy, heady crema, the 205 macchiato retained that mouthfeel throughout the drink. The drink, as requested, was unflavored – nuttin' but espresso and milk. Yet, the chewy sweetness of caramel and vanilla rode the middle of the palate, before finishing in notes of molasses and dried fruits. I'd love to know which sugar reaction causes that distinct flavor, because it's present in some of my favorite beers and wines as well.
While I can't say that these are necessarily the top 3, they're definitely my 3 favorites – as I mentioned above, my qualifications are that I operate a blog, and I have sat through a barista training class for a few hours one day at work. I can only offer my opinions. There are other macchiatos, of course, but I've chosen to highlight my 3 favorites.
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