What is a Cappuccino?

– A Complete Guide –

The cappuccino is a classic coffee type all over the world.

You will hardly find any coffee shop or restaurant that will have no cappuccino on its menu.

It simply tastes delicious in all of its colorful varieties.

Many coffee lovers appreciate the latte art of each cup. It makes every cup of a cappuccino a truly unique experience and art show in itself.

Traditionally, the cappuccino is characterized by its dry, foamed milk. And, with an espresso shot resting inside.

However, it may not be as simple as it seems at first sight.

This widely misunderstood drink has changed quite a bit over the years.

Here is everything you need to know about cappuccino.

What is Cappuccino

In very short, the cappuccino is a classic espresso and milk drink.

Generally, there is one very common misconception when it comes to cappuccino. Namely, that it simply follows the rule of thirds.

The standard recipe should be one-third espresso and one-third steamed milk. Plus, you will add one-third foamed milk as well.

Nowadays, this assumed myth is more and more taken down.

History of Cappuccino

The today’s name of this coffee type first emerged in the 1950s. Since then, people call it cappuccino.

This was actually long after the cappuccino’s original birth.

Its very first and original name was kapuziner. Innovative people created this coffee version in Vienna in the 1800s.

Historically, it was a small drink. It consisted of brewed coffee mixed either with milk or cream. The final look and especially drink’s color reminded the first coffee makers of the monks’ Capuchin robes.

If you reached the exact same color. It indicated that enough milk had been added.

Over the years, the cappuccino’s definition evolved and changed. Today, both the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and the World Barista Championship (WBC) define a cappuccino as following.

Its total volume should lay around 5 to 6 ounces (120 – 150 ml) per serving.

Furthermore, the coffee and milk beverage should produce a harmonious balance of rich, sweet milk and espresso.

Typically, coffee makers will prepare a cappuccino with a single shot of espresso. And, they will combine it with textured milk, plus a minimum of 1 cm of foam depth.

Since its creation, this very basic definition did not change over the centuries.

However, the volume or amount of each single beverage changed. Only ten years ago, the size of a cappuccino was roughly 7.7 ounces (220 ml).

Now and on average, it is around 5 ounces (120 ml).

The smaller the overall beverage is, the less you will need to add.

As a result, the consumer has a better chance of tasting the complex flavor profile of the coffee.

If the cappuccino is made well. The drink’s milk can highlight different flavor notes.

These very unique flavor notes could otherwise not be tasted.

An Italian Heritage

The espresso itself originates from Italy.

Coffee experts also believe that Italian baristas invented the modern-day cappuccino as well. This was back in the early 1900s.

If we are able to better understand the traditional Italian coffee culture. It can help to highlight the certain changes in the definition of cappuccino.

Today and without a doubt, the cappuccino is an integral part of everyday culture. Typically, you will only drink it once per day.

Normally, you are drinking it in the morning only.

In fact, the Italian National Espresso Institute even have their own definition of a cappuccino. The below section is a translation from Italian.

It will be 25 ml of espresso and 100 ml of milk whipped with steam. The Certified Italian Cappuccino has a white color. And, it is decorated with a brown border.

Its cream has narrow links with very fine or absent holes.

Italy vs. Across The Globe

Probably the biggest distinction between the traditional Italian style cappuccino and a so-called Western-style version is the appearance.

The Italian style will have a white foamed, slightly domed top. It is complete with an espresso-stained brown ring. This ring is ideally running around the edge of the entire cup.

Whereas, coffee makers would commonly prepare a Western-style cup with latte art on top.

People usually also enjoy both versions in different ways.

In Italy, you make a cappuccino quickly and also drink it fast. Just a couple of mouthful sips and you are ready to start your day.

Due to the quickness, the foamy milk on top of the espresso has less time. It does not blend with the espresso in the same way as it does with a latte.

Instead, the milk itself will form distinct layers within the beverage.

Consumers can enjoy a more intense drinking experience this way. Usually, they will just have a few milky sips. Right after, the espresso will already unfold its qualities and kick in faster.

Italian coffee makers do not see the need for latte art.

It would only add extra and unwanted time into the cappuccino preparation. A perfect Italian cappuccino is defined by efficient quickness. And, it features distinct, individual flavors.

In many other countries, you would rather sit down and take your time. This will allow all mixtures to blend in more into each other.

The overall taste will therefore come closer to the classic latte coffee already.

Cappuccino vs. Latte

When you go to a coffee shop or restaurant, nowadays. You will encounter a vast menu of all sorts of coffee drinks.

This can quickly become confusing.

What exactly are the differences of a cappuccino to other milk drinks?

Typically, the latte tends to cause most of the confusion.

But when you would take a closer look. They actually differ quite a lot. Especially their milk compositions are strikingly different.

Generally, lattes are larger in size. They are more around 8 ounces (240 ml) per serving.

In comparison, good baristas would also steam the milk for a latte. It should be ‘more stretched’. It will then blend nicely with the espresso in the latte.

On the other hand, the cappuccino features a top of more aerated milk. When we pour our milk on the espresso. Distinct layers will develop.

Essentially, the milk’s goal is not to incorporate with the espresso in the same way a latte does.

A cappuccino tries to separate ingredients. It highlights different flavor notes during the coffee experience. The latte is rather looking for a balanced blend of all ingredients.

As a result, this will make the cappuccino a significantly more intense drink than the latte.

Cappuccino vs. Other Milk-Based Drinks

There are a few other very popular milk-based drinks that may also cause further confusion when comparing to a cappuccino.

For instance, the macchiato and the cortado are one of these.

Firstly, both are smaller in size than the cappuccino. Coffee makers usually use glasses with a size between 3 to 4 ounces (90-120 ml).

Since a few years, especially a new drink version also added further confusion.

The flat white originates from Australia and New Zealand. It is one of the biggest new coffee trends around the world.

Typically, a flat white is using the same amount of milk than a cappuccino. However, it will only have a layer of 0.5 cm milk foam on top.

Therefore, its making is actually even closer to a latte than cappuccino.

In general, some coffee enthusiasts and lovers take a more pragmatic approach. When it comes to these different characteristics.

A cappuccino is simply a cappuccino. And, a flat white is a flat white.

Instead of looking for differences and trying to compare. We should just acknowledge the distinctions between these different types.

Eventually, we can maybe just appreciate them as separate drinks.

Latte Art and Cappuccino

Over the last years, latte art has become increasingly popular.

Beautifully designed patterns by skilled coffee artists are the result. Nowadays, consumers can find many designs. Hearts, tulips or rosettas may majestically be resting on top of their cappuccinos.

Sadly, as pretty as it may be. It can have a negative effect on the drink’s milk composition.

This is also the main reason. Why the original Italian version goes without any latte art.

If you would make latte art. You rather use stretched and well-textured micro-foam. It will help you to draw the patterns much easier.

However, the classic dry and foamy cappuccino milk is quite different.

As we learned already. A perfect cappuccino is able to highlight all different ingredient layers. As a result, it individually expresses all flavor notes within its cup.

Some latte art patterns and their texture could cause disruption. The final expression and balance can be quite different then.

In summary and short, many baristas will tell you following.

You might ruin the balance when trying to make latte art. In a cappuccino, the quality of steaming milk should have priority. Latte art comes second in consideration.

Of course, it is a beautiful way to put a flourish on a coffee. But, it can potentially and negatively affect the original flavor.

The Future of Cappuccino

Currently, there is so much diverse discussion about the cappuccino in the coffee world.

It is therefore quite unlikely to calm down any time soon.

Some find these distinctions and definitions useful and necessary. Others consider them as being rather hindering than productive.

There are even coffee shops that entirely stopped to specifically name any milk-based drinks. They simply refer to them as ‘coffee with milk’.

Sometimes, simplicity is even more.

You will not find a cappuccino, latte or flat white on these menus anymore. However, some will say that this only causes further confusion.

How can consumers know how much milk is added to their drink?

Consequently, the barista or coffee maker will probably have to explain and interact more with its customers then.

Many coffee enthusiasts even call for more specific distinction within the coffee industry instead.

The argument goes, that the less detailed our distinctions are. Coffee terms are ignored and consumers will be confused.

They simply do not know what to look for anymore. Or how to express their own individual preferences.

Eventually, a more loose approach would also be counter-productive for the entire industry.

Many fear that what you can’t measure, you can’t grow.

Final Cappuccino Thoughts

The beauty of our entire coffee culture is that it will never stop to evolving.

There are so many wonderful ways how to become creative. Individually, we can constantly reinvent and determine our own style.

My own final thoughts are quite simple.

As long as the coffee evolves. Definitions and creations of beverages will change as well.

It is great that there are different cappuccino versions for us to explore out there. People have different interpretations of it. And, that’s what it should be all about.

These will open new doors. Different flavors, textures and experiences will develop.

Our coffee culture grows with us. It is our own creativity and determination that will set the course.

I find it actually exciting. Not to entirely know where our coffee journey may take us.

Stay curious and expect the unexpected.

What do you think?

Which coffee drink is your favorite one? Do you only drink cappuccinos in the morning? And, without latte art?

Are all different kinds of coffee names and definitions really necessary?

Feel free to share your experiences and thoughts with us.

Until then, stay safe, healthy and properly caffeinated.

Cheers!