A cappuccino is the perfect balance of espresso, steamed milk and foam. This coffee is all about the structure and the even splitting of elements into equal thirds. An expertly made cappuccino should be rich, but not acidic and have a mildly sweet flavouring from the milk. And, because the milk is not actually mixed in it gives the espresso a stronger flavour.
The cappuccino first came to Europe and America from Italy in 1980, at a similar time as the latte. Many coffees that originate in Italy have straightforward, descriptive names depending on ingredients or how it’s made, but the cappuccino is a little different. Apparently, the colouring of the espresso and frothed milk is similar to the hue of the Capuchin friar robes, and so, the wonderful beverage was dubbed the ‘cappuccino’.
Known as one of the more popular drinks in any coffee shop, the cappuccino is a balanced coffee that’s a true test of any barista’s skills.
If you’re ordering in a coffee shop, you might be wondering what the difference is between the two. The macchiato begins with a base of steamed milk, two shots of espresso and then a thin layer of milk foam on top for a much higher ratio of coffee to milk. A cappuccino on the other hand starts with a shot of espresso, followed by steamed milk and finally milk foam on top, all in a perfectly balanced ratio. You should now have all the information you need for your next order!
It depends what type of coffee we are comparing with a cappuccino. A cappuccino and an espresso have the same caffeine content, so they would be similar in terms of strength. But if we’re comparing a cappuccino and an americano, the americano would probably taste slightly stronger, most likely due to the lack of milk in an americano.