Cappuccino is similar to latte but is made with less milk than a latte is. The foamy froth on the top of the cappuccino is a signature part and helps to retain the heat of the espresso and milk mixture.

Ingredients

In addition to a quality shot of espresso, the next most important ingredient is milk that has been steamed to just the right temperature and texture. When steaming milk for a cappuccino it is very important that the steaming wand add tiny bubbles to milk to create a microfoam.

This process makes the milk velvety smooth and adds a sweetness that would otherwise not be found. Making the perfect foam for a cappuccino requires practice and is what makes preparing them so difficult.

History

The name cappuccino comes from an order of Fransican Minor friars, the Cappuccini. These friars wore a hood with their outfit and in the Italian language, cappuccino means hood. Speculation is that the top layer of foam on the cappuccino could be said to be the hood of the drink, since the color of the friars habit is not the same of as the drink.

The cappuccino machine was invented in Italy by Luigi Bezzera in 1901 and helped to further the popularity of espresso, first in Europe then around the world.

Popularity

Due to its European origins, it’s no wonder that the taste for cappuccino was largely a European taste for many years. However, as more and more coffee bars and gourmet coffee shops started appearing in North America cappuccino became a favorite. Coffee drinkers and even some non-coffee drinkers helped to push the popularity of the drink upwards.

North American drinkers tend to modify cappuccino and drink it differently than it was in its native Italy. Often it is served iced or made using methods other than a cappuccino machine, something that is not seen in the Mediterranean region.

It is also not uncommon to see cappuccino mixes on grocer’s shelves, although in truth these are nothing more than frothed coffee mixes. These mixes are also what make up the cappuccino machines that can be found in many convenience stores. These drinks bear little resemblance to a real cappuccino and a true coffee aficionado will notice the difference immediately.

Cappuccino’s popularity has increased so dramatically that it is not uncommon to see home cappuccino makers in friend’s kitchens. The creamy taste of a perfectly pulled espresso teamed up with milk that has been frothed to perfection is one that coffee lovers have come to enjoy.

-Katya Coen

Feel free to leave a comment or post a request.

Enjoy!