Happy National Cappuccino Day! That's right, Friday, November 8, 2024 is National Cappuccino Day, and we're celebrating by sharing the ingredients and history of one of our favorite espresso-based coffee drinks.
What is Cappuccino?
A Cappuccino is an espresso-based beverage prepared with milk. The key characteristic of a Cappuccino that differentiates it from other cafe drinks is the ratio of espresso (at the bottom), steamed milk (in the middle) and milk foam (on top), so that each layer takes up about 1/3rd of the drink. Local customs vary those quantities slightly depending on your location or barista's preferences.
History
Cappuccino originates in Italy and Austria. Although the drink has gone through many changes and revisions over time with different preparations and ingredients, the name itself may originally be a reference to Capuchin friars and the color of their habits (white/brown.) If you want to learn more, check out the very interesting Wikipedia article which explores this topic further, including some origin stories and the variety of ingredients used throughout history around the world.
In 2024, Cappuccino is popular worldwide, but especially so in Europe, in particular Italy. Contrast this with the United States where a similar drink - the Latte - dominates. If you're in the habit of ordering a Latte in cafes, a Cappuccino can be a refreshing change-up, featuring a rich and creamy flavor.
Time of Day
You may have heard about "rules" for consuming a Cappuccino in Italy. In the United States you can of course order one anytime, but in Italy, you might get a funny look after Noon - because Italians consider Cappuccino to be a morning or breakfast drink.
While abroad, a Macchiato in the afternoon, or espresso following the evening meal would be a common alternative to get your caffeine pick-me-up instead of asking for a Cappuccino "after hours."
Cappuccino Ingredients and Tools
To prepare Cappuccino at home, you'll need:
- Whole bean coffee
- Grinder
- Espresso machine
- Milk (whole milk is preferred for best results)
- Steaming pitcher
- Steam wand, either as part of your espresso machine or a standalone milk steamer
Recommended Espresso
As with any drink incorporating espresso, start with high-quality, fresh-roasted whole bean coffee, and grind immediately before use for the best results. If you're just getting started with home espresso, our top-rated WBC World's Best Espresso, a competition winner, is a great place to begin.
For those local to Southern California, we also offer in-person home espresso classes, held at the Klatch Roastery, to help you dial in your machine and technique. That's a great jumping off point for Cappuccino, Latte, and more.
Cappuccino vs. Latte
Like the Cappuccino, a Latte is also based on espresso and milk, and these two beverages look similar, as well as offering similar flavor profiles. But they feature different ratios: a Latte has more steamed milk and less foam.
Note also that a Latte is the higher calorie and fat option, since there is more milk; if you're counting calories, a Cappuccino is a slightly lower-calorie option.
How about a Macchiato?
Also based on espresso and milk, the Macchiato uses much less milk than a Latte or Cappuccino - just a splash in comparison, and as a result, has a much stronger coffee flavor. The small amount of is spooned on instead of poured. Macchiato means "marked" or "stained", reflecting the mark the milk leaves on the espresso.
Now that you know a little bit more about Cappuccino, put one on your list to enjoy today - National Cappuccino Day!
