What is Cappuccino, Pros & Cons – Ultimate Guide for Cappuccino Lovers

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By James Robert

What Is Cappuccino?

Cappuccino is a drink which originated in Italy and is an espresso-based beverage. It is one of the most famous Italian beverages in the world of coffee lovers. Cappuccino is a hot drink which consists of espresso, steamed milk and milk foam. It is a 6 oz drink which consists of ⅓ steamed milk, ⅓ espresso and ⅓ milk foam.

Mostly people enjoy cappuccino because it offers flexibility in ingredients and volume size. If a barista prepares multiple cups of cappuccino the ratio of steamed milk, espresso and milk foam will remain the same. The traditional method of preparing this drink is by using steamed milk; however now, there are various variations of the drink which involve the use of cream and non-dairy milks. Some people also prefer to add extra flavor to it by adding chocolate or cinnamon powder.

The name cappuccino comes from the brown color of the drink. In the 18th century, the Viennese gave the name Kapuziner to a drink that consisted of spices and cream. Gradually, cappuccino was born through the Kapuziner in the beginning of the 20th century. The drink became popular in Trieste and then it spread throughout Italy.

Texture And Taste Of Cappuccino

Cappuccino is an ideal balance of foam, espresso and steamed milk. This drink is about the structure and the even division of all the elements into equal thirds. It is a well-rounded drink which smoothly blends the flavor of coffee with the smoothness of milk. This small drink has a thick and dense layer of foam on top. The foam consists of tiny bubbles that feel smooth once it touches your mouth. Cappuccino is a hot, foamy drink that is preferred by a lot of people all over the world.

How Much Caffeine Is In A Cup Of Cappuccino?

Caffeine is an essential part of a cup of cappuccino. If you are having a regular cup of cappuccino i.e. 6 oz, then there will be 120-170 mg of caffeine. Some people like to add more coffee. The quantity of coffee varies from person to person and from one coffee shop to another.

How To Make A Cappuccino?

If you have a cappuccino machine at your home then you do not have to worry at all- you can easily brew your favorite drink in the comfort of your home. You will be needing a milk pitcher, cappuccino cup, ground espresso coffee, milk, milk steamer and a coffee machine to make a cup of cappuccino.

Following are the steps that will help you in brewing a cappuccino. These steps will help you even if you are new to the process of coffee brewing.

Step 1: The first thing that you will have to do is gather your ingredients. If you do not have grinded coffee, then you will have to grind the required amount of coffee beans. Once you have grinded your coffee, pour milk into the pitcher.

Step 2: Once you are prepared, you can start extracting your espresso. Put your espresso grounds into the portafilter and then put it back in the espresso machine to extract two shots of espresso. You can brew the espresso directly into your 6 oz cup.

Step 3: While your espresso is brewing, you can start steaming the milk as well. Knowing the technique is the key here. Once the milk reaches 160 degree Fahrenheit, you should move the pitcher in vertical motions so that the steam heats the milk thoroughly.

Since cappuccino has a nice, thick layer of foam, it is recommended that you hold the steam wand closer to the top of the milk so that a nice layer of foam is created. However, be a little careful because steaming the milk will quickly increase its volume. Remember that you will require some milk in your drink as well, so all of it cannot be turned into froth.

Step 4: Once your milk is steamed and your espresso is extracted, you can pour the two of them together in your cup. Hold your pitcher 3 inches above your cup when you are pouring the milk, pour it in a vertical and slightly circular motion. The current of the milk will allow it to blend with the espresso.

Step 5: Pour the milk froth on the top and enjoy a delightful cup of cappuccino.

Recommended Coffee Machines

Having a coffee machine is a significant part of making cappuccino. There are various coffee machines that help you in this process. All of these machines have different features- some of them are automatic, while others are manual. You can choose the machine which has the features that you require. Following are some of the recommended coffee machines:

Breville The Barista Express Espresso Machine
Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
Philips 3200 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine EP3221
DeLonghi Dedica Pump Espresso Machine
Smeg Espresso Coffee Machine

What Coffee Is Right For Cappuccino?

There are various kinds of coffee available in the market but you have to know which one is the best for cappuccino. Generally, grinded espresso or espresso beans are used to prepare cappuccino. There are some people who prefer to use grinded coffee, while others like to grind espresso beans just before they start brewing their coffee. There are various brands that manufacture grinded espresso and espresso whole beans. You can choose the one that you like. Starbucks Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee, Peet’s Coffee Italian Roast Dark Roast Ground Coffee, Verena Street Shot Tower Espresso Whole Bean and Stone Street Coffee Company Knee Bucklin Espresso are some of the popular picks when it comes to choosing espresso.

Pros And Cons Of Cappuccino

Following are some of the pros and cons of drinking cappuccino:

Cappuccino consists of milk which makes it a healthy drink
It does not require a lot of time to brew a cup of cappuccino
People who do not like the flavor of plain milk can drink cappuccino as an alternative. It will provide them the benefits of milk without tasting like it.
It is a hot drink and is a perfect choice for cold weather.
It is easy to make.
Cappuccino is an excellent morning drink as the milk and espresso gives you the energy to hustle throughout your day.

Cons:

Too much consumption of cappuccino may cause mood swings.
Some people add too much sugar into their cup of cappuccino which may have a negative impact on their health.

Cappuccino Vs Espresso

Cappuccino and espresso are two entirely different drinks. Following are some of their differences:

Espresso is considered as a pure coffee which has a light or dark brown color. On the other hand, cappuccino is made by adding espresso into it and is light brown in color.
Espresso is usually served in a small glass, while the volume of a cappuccino varies.
Espresso does not have any milk foam, whereas cappuccino does.
Cappuccino has a silkier texture as compared to an espresso.
There are various drinks that consist of espresso, for example, a cortado. However, cappuccino cannot be used to make other drinks.
Espresso does not have any milk, while milk is an essential ingredient of cappuccino.

Benefits Of Having Cappuccino

Cappuccino is considered as a favorite drink by many coffee lovers. It has various psychological and health benefits as well. Some of these health benefits are mentioned below:

Cappuccino has antioxidant properties that prevents memory loss, heart problems and skin problems. It also helps in the oxidation of LDL cholesterol and prevents tissue damage as well.
Cappuccino also reduces chances of having a stroke. Certain studies show that consuming coffee reduces the chances of having a stroke by 20%.
A human body starts resisting insulin after high intake of coffee and this lowers the chance of having Type 2 Diabetes.
Cappuccino consists of caffeine which enhances short term memory. It stimulates the cognitive power which enhances the functions of the brain.
It prevents various diseases like cancer, gallstones, heart diseases, etc. There are various studies which also prove that consuming coffee can reduce the chances of these diseases.
It is popularly known to lessen the severity of headaches. People who often suffer from headaches can have cappuccino to reduce its severity.
The presence of antibacterial properties in a cappuccino lowers the chances of cavities.
It also helps in weight loss and gives energy. A lot of people use it as their morning drink because it gives them the required kick.

Even though cappuccino has various health benefits yet it is suggested that you consume it in a moderate amount.