Cappuccino is a coffee drink that originated in Italy. The drink was Italy’s staple morning drink. It is made of steamed milk, espresso coffee, and milk foam. Cappuccino is considered a popular espresso-based drink in the United States. The coffee drink is highly noticeable due to its espresso taste, free from acidity characteristics, and its rich and foamy structure.
Being an espresso-based drink, there are uncertainties on the exact shots of espresso present in your cappuccino. This article provides you with all you need to know about your favorite coffee drink.
Cappuccino is similar to a latte. The two coffee drinks have similar ingredients. So, what is the difference between these two coffee drinks?
Difference Between Cappuccino and Latte
The difference between cappuccino and latte is the milk used and the drink size. The milk used to make cappuccino is less and more frothed compared to that of a latte. The foam in a cappuccino is formed by expanding the milk. The standard drink size for a cappuccino is 6 ounces, while the latte ranges between 8 – 20 ounces. For cappuccino, the espresso and steamed milk foam is measured in thirds, while for the latte, the espresso is a third, the milk two-thirds, and a thin layer of foam on top.
How to Differentiate a Cappuccino from Latte?
To test whether your drink is a latte or cappuccino, use a spoon to push away the milk from you. If you see milk, then that’s a latte. If you see foam, then that’s cappuccino.
How to Make a Cappuccino?
To make a cappuccino, you will need:
- Espresso
To make espresso, you’ll need an espresso machine and fine-grind roasted coffee.
- Milk
For the milk, you will need fresh whole milk. Whole milk will form more froth due to the present fats.
Steps
- steam your milk up to a temperature of 150F. This is until bubbles appear. These are known as microfoams. Once you see them, then your milk is ready.
- Froth some milk using a whisk.
- In a 6 ounces’ cup, pour your steamed milk into your espresso.
- Add your frothed milk.
- Enjoy your cappuccino.
Your cappuccino ingredients should be in thirds.
Types of Cappuccino
There are a variety of cappuccino drinks. Each has a varying amount of foam. They include:
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Dry cappuccino
This type of cappuccino is known as cappuccino scurro. It consists of strong coffee, thick foam, and a small amount of milk.
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Iced Cappuccino
This type of cappuccino is known as cappuccino Freddo. It consists of cold-frothed milk, ice, and espresso. You make your iced cappuccino by adding cold-frothed milk to your espresso and some ice. This drink is ideal for summer.
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Wet Cappuccino
This type of cappuccino is known as cappuccino Chiaro. It consists of less foam and more milk. The foam in a wet cappuccino is similar to that of a latte.
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Flavored cappuccino
This type of cappuccino has some added flavor of your choice. You can choose to either add syrups or toppings. The most common toppings include cinnamon and chocolate powder. For the syrups, you can add vanilla syrup, caramel, raspberries, and peppermint.
Conclusion
As a general rule, espresso-based drinks have a double shot of espresso in order to provide a strong coffee taste. However, the number of espresso shots for your cappuccino depends on your preference.
