Cappuccino is a popular drink at coffee shops around the world. A cup of cappuccino has the perfect combination of espresso, heated milk, and foam. This beverage is all about structure and evenly dividing all components into thirds. A well-made cappuccino should be creamy but not acidic, with a slightly sweet milk flavoring. Because the milk is not mixed with the espresso, it has a stronger flavor.¹ Most of us have enjoyed a cappuccino, however, did you know this frequently misunderstood beverage has evolved significantly throughout the years?
Evolution of Cappuccino
The ancient Ottoman method of preparation was originally the foundation for coffee consumption in Europe. When the water and coffee beans were boiling, sugar was occasionally added. This is comparable to how Turkish coffee is made now. The Brits and French began separating coffee beans from their coffee in the late 1700s. Coffee that had been filtered and brewed gradually gained ground on coffee that had been boiled.
The Origin of Cappuccino
This term first appeared in the 1950s, well after the invention of the cappuccino. According to Hoffmann, the drink’s original name was kapuziner and was created in Vienna in the 1800s. It was a drink made of brewed coffee blended with milk or cream until the color mirrored the monks’ Capuchin robes, indicating that enough milk had been added.
Types of Cappuccino²
- Light cappuccino – Also known as a cappuccino chiaro or wet cappuccino, it contains more steamed milk and less milk foam than a standard cappuccino. These cappuccinos are creamier and milder in flavor and are more likely to be served in a modern coffee shop.
- Dark Cappuccino – Also known as a cappuccino scurro or dry cappuccino, it contains more milk foam and less steamed milk than a wet cappuccino. Because of the difference in the milk-to-espresso ratio, this sort of cappuccino has a stronger flavor.
- Iced Cappuccino – Iced cappuccinos, which have become popular in recent years, are prepared with cold milk rather than steamed milk and have ice added. To replicate the foam of a standard cappuccino, cold milk foam is put on top.
Italy Vs Western World Cappuccino
Cappuccino is an essential component of Italian culture. They are typically ingested only once per day, in the morning. The Italian National Espresso Institute has its own definition of a cappuccino: “25 ml espresso and 100 ml steam-whipped milk… The Certified Italian Cappuccino is white, with a brown border that appears more or less frequently in the original cappuccino. The cream has narrow connections with extremely small or non-existent holes.”
The most noticeable difference between a classic Italian-style cappuccino and a Western-style cappuccino is the appearance. The Italian design has a white-foamed, slightly domed top and an espresso-stained brown ring running along the cup’s edge. The Western style is now embellished with latte art on top.³
Cappuccino Vs Latte
Both espresso beverages include espresso as well as two extra ingredients: steamed milk and foamed milk. Here are the important differences:
- A cappuccino is made with an even mix of espresso, steamed milk, and foamed milk. A latte is made with additional steamed milk and a thin layer of froth.
- A latte contains espresso and steamed milk, but a cappuccino has distinct layers. ⁴
How to make a cup of Cappuccino at home
How to prepare your cappuccino at home with a pod machine
- First, use your coffee maker to create the espresso (40 ml or 1.35 fl oz) and pour it into a cup.
- Next, fill a jug with cold milk (100 ml or 3.38 fl oz) until it reaches the minimum level marking on the jug.
- Press your MedspressoTM Torro machine’s start button as you close the coffee capsule lid.
- Pour the milk foam on top of the coffee.
Cheers to your recipe for a cappuccino! ⁵
What is the best way to froth without a steamer? Try a milk frother!
A milk frother is the ultimate option for creating the perfect frothy foam. The speed and simplicity it provides are unrivaled, resulting in the most delectable and plentiful froth. It distinguishes itself by requiring less milk than alternative procedures and being less susceptible to temperature fluctuations. This tool’s adaptability is outstanding. It easily froths nondairy milk and can even handle cold milk, which other methods cannot.
Steps to frothing your milk
- Fill a tall receptacle halfway with milk. Hold the container at an angle and turn on the frother.
- Wield the frother in a rhythmic up-and-down motion until a delectable coating of frothy bubbles emerges – this normally takes around 20 seconds. Gently tap the container on the countertop to dislodge any large bubbles.
- Important note: When aiming for a latte, avoid going overboard with the foam – the goal is to flawlessly integrate the milk with the coffee, so excessive froth is unneeded. (Generous froth is desired for a cappuccino or macchiato!) Allow the foam to rest for 30 seconds to 1 minute while making a latte; this allows the froth to be incorporated into the milk while preserving a slight boundary between the two.⁶
Conclusion
Beyond the borders of Italy, cappuccino gained its initial popularity in Britain, where the combination of coffee and milk transcended temporal boundaries. The concept found its way into Italian eateries in the United States as far back as the 1930s. It wasn’t until the 1980s, alongside the proliferation of nationwide coffee chains, that cappuccino truly achieved widespread recognition.
Cappuccino is a well-balanced coffee that will put any barista’s talents to the test. Known for its uniform distribution of coffee and milk and served in a big cup with a chocolate dusting on top. Cappuccinos and lattes are espresso drinks that have many of the same ingredients, but the craftsmanship of your favorite barista.
References
- Nescafe. What is a Cappuccino? Available at: https://www.nescafe.com/in/coffee-types/what-is-a-cappuccino Date Accessed:21 July 21, 2023
- Methodical Coffee. What is a cappuccino, and how do you make one? Available at:https://methodicalcoffee.com/blogs/coffee-culture/what-is-a-cappuccino-and-how-do-you-make-one. Date Accessed: July 21, 2023
- Tasmin.G. 2023. What is a cappuccino, and how has it developed over time? Available at:https://perfectdailygrind.com/2020/03/what-is-a-cappuccino-how-has-it-developed-over-time/ Date Accessed July 21, 2023
- Coffee Bean.2023. Cappuccino vs. Latte: What’s the Difference? Available at:https://www.coffeebean.com/blog/our-coffee/cappuccino-vs-latte Date Accessed July 21, 2023
- Michael P. Cappuccino. Available at: https://www.nespresso.com/recipes/us/en/23077CAP-cappuccino.html. Date Accessed July 21, 2023
- Sonja. O. How to Froth Milk. Available at: https://www.acouplecooks.com/how-to-froth-milk/ Date Accessed August 10, 2023
By Sylvia Jemutai.
Copywriter