What Is a Cappuccino?
Posted on November 03, 2024 By Alison P.
November 8 is National Cappuccino Day, and we're celebrating by taking a closer look at this uniquely delicious beverage that has been delivering caffeinated enjoyment for hundreds of years! Read on to learn about cappuccino's origins, its ingredients, and how to make one in the comfort of your own home.
What Is Cappuccino?
A cappuccino is a popular coffee beverage made with one part espresso, one part steamed milk, and one part milk foam. The espresso and steamed milk are combined in a mug, and then the beverage receives a heap of milk foam on top. It's usually served in a mug that's shallow and wide to maximize the even distribution of liquid and foam in every sip.
Where Did the Name “Cappuccino” Come From?
In the early days of the drink, the tan color resulting from the mixture of dairy and coffee brought to mind the shade of hooded robes traditionally worn by members of a religious order called the Capuchin. While the name varied in spelling and pronunciation depending on where the beverage was being consumed (the Viennese version of the drink was referred to as a Kapuziner), the name stuck!
When Was Cappuccino Invented?
The Kapuziner was an early version of the drink known to exist in Vienna in the late 18th century, and it consisted of coffee mixed with cream. There is later evidence of the drink existing in Italy as well - a 19th century guide to Milanese-Italian vocabulary lists the term “cappuccino” with the definition, "black coffee with a few drops of milk or cream which give it the color the tunic of the Capuchins." While the drink existed in varied forms in the years that followed, its modern version entered the Italian coffee scene in the 1950s. The espresso machine became widely available and provided the ability to steam milk as well as brew a more intense and flavorful espresso. The convenience of making all the beverage's ingredients with the same machine allowed cappuccino to evolve into its modern form, and its firm hold on the coffee-drinking world still continues today.
How to Make a Cappuccino
With the right proportions of each ingredient and the right type of mug, you'll enjoy coffee-shop-quality cappuccinos in the comfort of your own home. Here's the step-by-step process:
- Brew a double shot of espresso into a warm cappuccino mug. Be sure to start by packing the finely-ground coffee into the portafilter as tightly as possible!
- Once the coffee is finished, pour some cold milk into a metal frothing pitcher - whole milk is best, because it creates the fluffiest possible foam. Hold the pitcher at a 45-degree angle, dip it into the espresso machine's steam wand so the tip is about halfway between the surface and the bottom, then turn it on.
- Move the milk pitcher up and down and around to heat the milk while creating foam. The closer to the surface the wand tip is, the larger the bubbles will get.
- Once the milk has roughly doubled in size, turn off the steam wand and remove the pitcher. Pour an amount of milk equal to the amount of espresso into the mug, then use a spoon to scoop out an equal amount of foam to layer on the top.
- If you're in the mood for an extra flavor flourish, dust the foam with a little bit of chocolate powder or cinnamon.
What's the Difference Between Latte and Cappuccino?
While they are similar drinks, a latte is different from a cappuccino because of its ingredient proportions. Lattes are typically made with two parts steamed milk to one part espresso, and no foam is included on the top. The good news is, bringing home the right kind of coffee machine means having the right equipment to make either one any time you want, along with all kinds of other fun coffee drinks!
We hope you've enjoyed this little exploration of the cappuccino's creation. If you're craving one right now, why not celebrate National Cappuccino Day by bringing home the means to enjoy one at home? A Delonghi espresso machine or Breville espresso machine comes with every tool you need to be your own personal barista. Have a happy National Cappuccino Day, and don't forget the biscotti!