What is a Cappuccino?
Originating in Italy, the cappuccino is one of the most tried and true espresso beverages out there. Its combination of espresso, velvety milk, and pillowy foam make a good cappuccino irresistible. But if you’ve ever wondered what exactly constitutes a cappuccino or more about its history or how to order one in a cafe, read on!
These days a cappuccino is typically one third espresso, one third steamed milk, and one third foam. It’s always foamier than a latte, but most specialty coffee shops are serving wet cappuccinos so you still get latte art on top. The presence of more foam allows the taste of the espresso to come through more than in a latte which has more milk and less foam.
Like many drinks in the coffee world, the cappuccino has evolved over time and in different parts of the world it has evolved a bit differently.
In order to get the correct ratio of 1:1:1 espresso:milk:foam, many specialty cafes only offer a 6 oz. cappuccino in the traditional Italian style. But that’s not always the case! Some shops offer different sizes, so make sure you ask.
Though most cafes have evolved to serving cappuccinos with microfoam and latte art, this isn’t always the case; some shops might still serve old school cappuccinos with stiff foam piled atop the espresso. These are becoming more and more rare, but you may encounter one still.
Another notable difference in cappuccinos around the world is the presence of cocoa powder or cinnamon on top. Some countries, like Italy, default to serving cocoa powder or chocolate on top of the drink. Other countries (like New Zealand) default to asking customers if they want cocoa powder or cinnamon on top. Many other countries (like the U.S.) don’t sprinkle anything atop their cappuccinos.
The evolution of the cappuccino is a fascinating picture of the specialty coffee world as a whole! This one drink has traveled over the whole world and has grown and changed as the years go by. Trying cappuccinos all over the world is a great way to experience the specialty coffee industry!
So where did the name come from exactly? You may have heard rumors that the cappuccino was named after the Capuchin Friars in its home country of Italy. Supposedly these rumors are true. The story goes that when the cappuccino was invented, the color of the combined milk and espresso reminded people of the color of the friars’ robes. The name and the drink caught on, and over a hundred years later it goes by the same name and remains one of the most popular drinks out there.
As with many coffee drinks, if you have questions, ask your barista! Maybe you prefer more foam: you can ask for a dry cappuccino which is just espresso and piles of foam. Maybe you want to make sure they serve a six ounce size so you get the correct ratio of espresso to milk to foam. Maybe you’re curious if they use a darker coffee like the original drink did in Italy or if they use a lighter more modern single origin.
Just ask! Most coffee professionals love to nerd out over their product with you! And, as always, you can drop a comment below if you want to ask us here at BonLife.
