With so many specific drink names and recipes in the coffee world, espresso drink definitions are confusing. So in this article, we answer a seemingly simple question: what is a cappuccino coffee? The name is so popular, and people often confuse it with similar drinks. What is in a cappuccino, and how is it different from other popular coffee drinks like a latte?
If this confusion resonates with you, keep reading to learn the definition, history, ratios, and brewing advice for cappuccino coffee!
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What Is A Cappuccino Coffee? Here’s the 101
Many people think of the cappuccino as their go-to coffee beverage. Like a latte, the cappuccino is an espresso drink that uses the creamy texture of frothed milk to balance beautifully with the intensity of espresso coffee.
But a cappuccino has distinct characteristics that set it apart from similar drinks. Let’s check them out!
Is Cappuccino Coffee?
You should absolutely categorize a cappuccino as a coffee beverage because the base ingredient is espresso. You can read more about why all espresso is coffee for more details.
What’s the Difference Between a Coffee and a Cappuccino?
Many people added milk to or frothed milk to their brewed coffee, so it is understandable to wonder how cappuccino differed from regular coffee.
The primary difference boils down to the difference between espresso and coffee. Espresso is a specific method of brewing coffee under high pressure, resulting in a concentrated, thick, and flavorful drink of 1-2 ounces. Cappuccinos combine this espresso with frothed milk to create a unique balance of texture and taste.
But you make drip coffee by letting hot water naturally fall through coarser coffee grounds. The result is a much milder taste and a larger 8-12-ounce serving. Even if you used frothed milk with regular coffee, you would not get the same intense flavor and texture.
How Much Milk Is in a Cappuccino?
The specific amount of milk in a cappuccino depends on the size. So it is best to represent a cappuccino by its ratios. A standard cappuccino should have equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam.
The creamy liquid milk should blend with the espresso, and the velvety foam gives extra texture and aroma.
Do Cappuccinos Have Caffeine?
As a coffee beverage with espresso as the base, cappuccinos contain caffeine. However, since cappuccino sizes can vary widely, it is hard to say exactly how much caffeine each cappuccino has. Even if you know how many espresso shots a barista used for your drink, the strength and volume of espresso vary from place to place.
But as a baseline and using Starbucks espresso as a reference, assume the following caffeine doses:
- 8-10 oz cappuccino (1 Shot): 75 mg
- 16-20 oz cappuccino (2 shots): 150 mg
Many people prefer to strengthen their espresso drinks with extra shots. So calculate approximately 75mg of additional caffeine for each added shot.
What Size Is a Cappuccino Cup?
The standard size for a cappuccino cup is between 5-6 fluid ounces (150-180 milliliters.) Larger cups can be up to 8 ounces, but they usually do not have the wide rim typical of a latte cup.
If you’re deciding which cup size to get for home cappuccinos, calculate your espresso recipe first. Triple the volume to get a minimum cup size, making sure to leave room for the steamed milk foam.
Cappuccino vs Latte: What’s Different?
If you are at all familiar with latte coffee, you are probably wondering how a cappuccino is different. And which is better, a cappuccino or a latte?
Even though cappuccinos and lattes are more similar than different, you can tell them apart by the ratio and texture. Lattes use much more steamed milk and only a thin layer of foam. The texture of a latte tends to be creamy.
But a cappuccino ratio is equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam. The espresso flavor is more pronounced, and the thick foam changes the mouthfeel.
Latte Art
For whatever reason, all art made with foamed milk is called latte art, even if it is on a cappuccino, ristretto, or other espresso beverage.
The designs for latte art can be intricate, although, on a cappuccino, thick foam means you sometimes miss out on the clarity of the thinner milk froth used in a latte.
Either way, the craft and dedication of making latte art are among our favorite aspects of specialty coffee!
Cappuccino vs Macchiato
Names and definitions of drinks are confusing in the coffee world, and macchiato is an easily misunderstood term. A latte macchiato is a version of the latte where you pour milk first and then stain it with the espresso—in Italian, “macchiato” means “stained” or “marked.”
But a macchiato more generally—what you could call an espresso macchiato—is an espresso shot marked with a small dollop of steamed milk or cream. So assuming you are comparing a cappuccino to an espresso macchiato, the cappuccino will have more hot milk and milk froth.
Ingredients: What Is a Cappuccino Made Of?
The three essential ingredients for a classic cappuccino are espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. Although there are ways to make espresso without a machine, an espresso machine is the most legitimate. Espresso makers also have a steam wand that aerates and heats the milk.
Whole milk will naturally produce the best texture. However many people substitute almond, soy, or oat milk based on dietary preferences.
AeroPress Espresso Maker
Cappuccino Calories
Like caffeine content, you cannot get an exact calorie content for a cappuccino without knowing the size and ingredients. A typical size made with whole milk will range from 70-100 calories. Cappuccinos approaching 16-20 ounces can be 140 calories or more.
Since coffee is a low-calorie beverage, milk/additives are the primary source of calories. Milk contains calories, but other additives like sugar, syrups, and whipped cream will be the primary sources of calories.
Are Cappuccinos Healthy?
Like anything moderate and part of a balanced diet, cappuccinos can be perfectly healthy. Drinking milk gives nutrients such as calcium and protein, and coffee is a fantastic energy source when consumed responsibly.
The most unhealthy aspect of a cappuccino is the sugary additives such as syrup, whipped cream, and other sweeteners. Avoid these and enjoy the natural taste of espresso and milk for the healthiest cappuccino.
What Color Is A Cappuccino? Unlocking Cappuccino’s History
Instant Milk Frother
A cappuccino has a distinctive color that gives a clue into the history of this beverage and how it possibly got this name. The dark shades of red-brown produced by the combination of espresso, milk, and foam resemble the robes of Capuchin monks. So the term “capuchin” was a common way to describe this red-brown color in 17th-century Europe.
As such, this version of cappuccino history claims that the visually appealing color of this coffee drink led to the name cappuccino.
What Does a Cappuccino Taste Like?
Like a latte, espresso’s bold and concentrated flavor should be the base of the cappuccino. But the combination of it with velvety frothed milk and an airy foam makes a light texture and balanced taste.
The sweet milk and creamy texture blend with the espresso, and the foam on the top adds a texture and aroma. In the perfect cappuccino, these elements should blend to make a beautifully balanced coffee beverage.
What Is a Wet Cappuccino?
A wet cappuccino is a variation of the traditional cappuccino with a higher proportion of steamed milk to foam, making it closer to a latte texture. This blend results in a creamier texture and a milder espresso flavor. If you prefer a smoother and less intense cappuccino (and do not want a latte,) try ordering a wet cappuccino!
What Does a Dry Cappuccino Mean?
A dry cappuccino is on the other end of the spectrum, having more foam than steamed milk. A dry cappuccino has a lighter texture and more robust espresso flavor since there is less liquid milk to dilute it. Dry cappuccinos are perfect for people that want to highlight the natural flavors of the espresso shot.
How To Make a Cappuccino at Home: Brewing Advice
Despite its reputation as a fancy drink, making a cappuccino at home is not too difficult. You can even get close to the real deal without a machine. Let’s check out the details!
How To Make Cappuccino Coffee: Basic Steps
Following these basic steps should produce a pretty solid homemade cappuccino. Feel free to substitute whole milk for almond, soy, or oat milk. And without an espresso machine, you can make the espresso in an AeroPress or with instant coffee. And make frothed milk with a handheld milk frother.
1. Gather Ingredients
Making espresso and steaming milk can get stressful. We recommend gathering all ingredients, including cocoa powder or other syrups. Measure the coffee and milk beforehand, and preheat your cappuccino cup.
Grind the coffee beans right before brewing for maximum freshness.
If your espresso machine has a single boiler, we recommend steaming the milk first, regularly stirring to maintain an integrated texture.
2. Brew Espresso
Prepare a single or double shot of espresso. We recommend pulling a double shot (2 ounces) and combining that with 6 ounces of milk.
3. Steam/Froth Milk
Steam the milk until the pitcher is hot to the touch. The goal is to introduce heat and air while using the natural spin of the milk to create an even mix. Allow the chirping sound of air for a few seconds or longer. Depending on whether you want a wet or dry cappuccino, you can introduce more or less air into the milk before you lower the steam wand.
With a handheld frother, experiment a few times to dial in the perfect texture.
4. Combine
Pour the steamed milk over the espresso. At first, pour aggressively to allow the liquid milk to mix with the espresso. Pour gently towards the end so that more foam sits on the top. You can also experiment with latte art if you want!
Cappuccino Coffee Variations
A traditional cappuccino can be delicious. But there are exciting variations on this beverage that you should know. Skim these until you feel confident ordering them or making them at home!
Cold Cappuccino
Like iced coffee, an iced cappuccino can be a refreshing twist on this beverage during the summer. The ingredients are chilled espresso, cold milk, and milk foam. This drink works best with a handled milk frother or something that does not have to heat milk. Otherwise, with a standard steam wand, you have to put hot foam on top of a cold drink. You might also prefer an iced latte, which uses cold milk and no foam. You can convert an iced latte to be closer to a cappuccino taste by telling the barista to add less milk.
But for homemade iced cappuccinos, the following milk frothers can make cold foam:
Secura Electric Milk Steamer
Zulay Handheld Foam Maker
Without an espresso machine at home, you can make an iced cappuccino with a cold brew. Use a strong concentrate to mimic the flavor of espresso.
What Is a Mocha Cappuccino?
As the word mocha implies, a mocha cappuccino incorporates chocolate to balance the rich flavor of espresso and milk. You can either use chocolate powder or syrup. Remember that a small amount of chocolate flavor goes a long way, so start small and adjust by taste.
We recommend putting the chocolate in your cup first and mixing well with the espresso before you add milk. This blend leads to the best taste!
What Is a Skinny Cappuccino?
A skinny cappuccino is a lighter alternative that reduces the calorie content by using skim milk or alternative milk varieties. These substitutions allow you to enjoy the essence of a cappuccino with a lower-fat option, making it suitable for those mindful of their calorie intake.
You can also use sugar-free chocolate syrup for a guilt-free mocha cappuccino!
What Is a Cappuccino at Starbucks?
A Starbucks cappuccino has the same standard ingredients as any typical Italian cappuccino, and you can always customize them to your taste. But here are the Starbucks ingredients without any customization:
- 2% milk
- Regular cappuccino foam (not wet or dry)
- 1/2 shots of their Signature Espresso Roast (depending on size)
You can also customize how many espresso shots they add. But the default is one shot for the Short/Tall sizes and two for the Grande/Vente sizes.
Cappuccino Coffee: Common Questions
In case there is still some confusion around this popular coffee drink, let’s wrap up by answering some common cappuccino questions.
What is in a cappuccino coffee?
A cappuccino contains espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. These three elements work in harmony to create a balance of flavor and texture.
Is cappuccino just coffee with milk?
Since all espresso is coffee, you could say that a cappuccino is just coffee with milk. But the details of espresso, warm milk, and milk foam make the drink more complicated (and delicious) than a regular coffee with milk.
What size is a cappuccino?
A standard cappuccino cup typically holds around 5-6 fluid ounces (150-180 milliliters) of liquid. However, sizes depend on each coffee shop, so it is always a good idea to check with your barista or refer to the menu for specific sizing information.
How can you make a cappuccino at home?
You can make a cappuccino at home using an espresso machine or with an espresso maker like AeroPress and a milk frother.
What Is a Cappuccino: Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this short tour through the world of cappuccino coffee! The definition of espresso drinks can get confusing, even for a hardcore coffee lover. But hopefully, you have a clearer idea of what a cappuccino is and how to make one at home. Even without expensive coffee gear like an espresso machine, you can still brew the perfect cappuccino.
Now it’s time to embrace your barista skills and start enjoying cappuccino coffee!
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