What is a Cappuccino?

Picture this: you’re home, it’s time for you to make your morning cup of coffee, but you’re sick and tired of having the same plain old brew over and over again and you’re not sure where or how to spice up your morning joe.

We think it’s time you educate yourself on what other types of brews are out there so you can integrate them into your morning routine. First, let’s learn about a fan favorite: the cappuccino. But don’t worry, we’re here to walk you through this coffee lesson.

To start, let’s talk about what a cappuccino is.

The cappuccino originated in Italy and it is an espresso-based coffee drink typically prepared with a single or double shot of espresso, hot milk, and steamed milk foam to top it, popularly referred to as “microfoam.” Cream or non-dairy alternatives may be used instead of milk and the drink is often topped with cinnamon or cocoa powder. A cappuccino is typically smaller in volume than a caffe latte, and it has a thicker layer of microfoam.

The microfoam, resulting from the steamed or frothed milk (cream or non-dairy substitute), consists of a bunch of tiny unseen bubbles that make the milk lighter and thicker. When the espresso is carefully and correctly poured into the cup, the microfoam will remain partly on top of the cup, as well as mixed into the rest of the cappuccino.

Ideally, a cappuccino should be ⅓ espresso, under ⅓ steamed milk, and ⅓ microfoam. To make it, you’d typically need to have an espresso machine handy or we suggest you use our espresso pods. The espresso is poured into the bottom of the cup, followed by a similar amount of hot milk, which is prepared by heating and texturing the milk using the espresso machine steam wand. The top third of the drink consists of microfoam. And voila! You have a cappuccino.

Do you feel up for the challenge? Share your homemade cappuccino with us by using the #athomewithHiLine