What is a cappuccino?
A cappuccino (pronounced kap-oo-CHEE-no) is a coffee drink made with equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foamed milk. It is often dusted with chocolate powder. A cappuccino is typically comes in a 6oz / 180ml ceramic cup.
Cappuccino origins
The origin of the Cappuccino can be traced back to Austria in the 1700s, when a drink called "Kapuziner" was popular.
Kapuziner was a coffee with cream and sugar and took its name from its colour, resembling the brown robes worn by Capuchin friars, a Catholic order established in the 16th century known for their distinctive brown robes with hoods. ‘Cappuccio’ also means ‘hood’ in Italian.
The drinks as we know it today was then developed in Italy during the 20th century. The cappuccino was popularised with the introduction of the espresso machine and milk steaming, and is now a staple espresso drink in most cafés around the world.
A traditional cappuccino has equal amounts espresso, steamed milk, and a fluffy top, which makes it both lighter and foamier than a latte or flat white.
Cappuccino ingredients
A cappuccino is made with
- Two shots of espresso (60ml)
- Steamed milk (60ml)
- Foamed milk (60ml)
- A light dusting of chocolate powder.
How to make a cappuccino?
1. Pull one or two shots of espresso into a coffee cup
2. Steam milk until it's light and foamy
3. Pour the foamed milk into the coffee cup
4. Optionally dust the top with chocolate powder
If you're good at latte art, you can dust the chocolate powder on the espresso before you pour the milk. This will allow you to show off your latte art, and the chocolate gets nicely mottled into the milk.