There’s nothing quite like a freshly made cappuccino to go with breakfast.
However, buying one from a commercial coffee shop is not the same as creating an authentic cup at home.
You can make authentic Italian-style cappuccino at home in three easy steps.
Coffee has come such a long way since the days of instant granules, and the cappuccino you enjoyed on your last vacation to Italy is much more achievable at home.
You can purchase a fancy cappuccino machine for several hundred dollars if you’d like, however, it isn’t necessary.
You can make a great-tasting cappuccino with a few inexpensive items.
Let’s take a look.
Step 1:
A coffee percolator, or stove top brewer as it’s sometimes called, is essential if you want Italian-style coffee.
Available in one-cup to 10-cup sizes, it's usually made from hard aluminum or stainless steel and is suitable for use on any stovetop.
To use, unscrew the top and bottom. Fill the bottom with water to just below the valve.
Add freshly ground espresso beans to the filter.
Replace the top and place the percolator over medium heat. As the water comes to a boil the steam pressure forces the water through the filter and into the top.
Remove from the heat when the gurgling noise stops and the top is full.
Don't let the coffee boil or it may taste burnt.
Step 2:
Heat the milk while the coffee is brewing. You can do this in a couple of different ways.
The fastest way, of course, is in a microwave on Medium 45-60 seconds for every 1/4 cup.
However, for best results, you’ll want to warm it in a small saucepan over medium heat until the milk is nearly boiling.
If you have a thermometer, remove the pan from the heat when the needle reaches 149 degrees. Pre-heat each cup with hot water from the kettle.
Next, pour freshly brewed coffee into a coffee cup and top with hot milk.
Reserve one-quarter cup of hot milk per cup you plan to make so that you can make froth.
Step 3:
For this step, you'll need a milk frother.
Available from home ware stores, these range from plungers to hand-held manual or battery-operated 1-cup frothers (around $10).
To make froth with a manual 1-cup milk frother, pour the reserved hot milk into a warmed cup.
Place the frother in the cup and pump up and down for 15-20 seconds or until milk is thick and frothy.
Spoon froth over the cappuccinos and dust with chocolate to serve.
Tips:
After use, rinse your stovetop coffee brewer with hot water and use a non-abrasive scourer to remove any coffee residue.
You can also brew some really strong coffee to use instead of espresso, if you don't have a machine. Warm your milk and then pour into a small jar.
Shake the jar for about one minute. Pour the milk into your waiting mug of hot coffee.
Spoon out the foam and top with cinnamon, nutmeg, cocoa, etc.
Learn more about coffee varieties and coffee making machines in my very comprehensive online guide here >> How to Pick the Best Coffee Maker
You're good to go!!
Learn more about coffee varieties and coffee making machines in my very comprehensive online guide here >> How to Pick the Best Coffee Maker
However, buying one from a commercial coffee shop is not the same as creating an authentic cup at home.
You can make authentic Italian-style cappuccino at home in three easy steps.
Coffee has come such a long way since the days of instant granules, and the cappuccino you enjoyed on your last vacation to Italy is much more achievable at home.
You can purchase a fancy cappuccino machine for several hundred dollars if you’d like, however, it isn’t necessary.
You can make a great-tasting cappuccino with a few inexpensive items.
Let’s take a look.
Step 1:
A coffee percolator, or stove top brewer as it’s sometimes called, is essential if you want Italian-style coffee.
Available in one-cup to 10-cup sizes, it's usually made from hard aluminum or stainless steel and is suitable for use on any stovetop.
To use, unscrew the top and bottom. Fill the bottom with water to just below the valve.
Add freshly ground espresso beans to the filter.
Replace the top and place the percolator over medium heat. As the water comes to a boil the steam pressure forces the water through the filter and into the top.
Remove from the heat when the gurgling noise stops and the top is full.
Don't let the coffee boil or it may taste burnt.
Step 2:
Heat the milk while the coffee is brewing. You can do this in a couple of different ways.
The fastest way, of course, is in a microwave on Medium 45-60 seconds for every 1/4 cup.
However, for best results, you’ll want to warm it in a small saucepan over medium heat until the milk is nearly boiling.
If you have a thermometer, remove the pan from the heat when the needle reaches 149 degrees. Pre-heat each cup with hot water from the kettle.
Next, pour freshly brewed coffee into a coffee cup and top with hot milk.
Reserve one-quarter cup of hot milk per cup you plan to make so that you can make froth.
Step 3:
For this step, you'll need a milk frother.
Available from home ware stores, these range from plungers to hand-held manual or battery-operated 1-cup frothers (around $10).
To make froth with a manual 1-cup milk frother, pour the reserved hot milk into a warmed cup.
Place the frother in the cup and pump up and down for 15-20 seconds or until milk is thick and frothy.
Spoon froth over the cappuccinos and dust with chocolate to serve.
Tips:
After use, rinse your stovetop coffee brewer with hot water and use a non-abrasive scourer to remove any coffee residue.
You can also brew some really strong coffee to use instead of espresso, if you don't have a machine. Warm your milk and then pour into a small jar.
Shake the jar for about one minute. Pour the milk into your waiting mug of hot coffee.
Spoon out the foam and top with cinnamon, nutmeg, cocoa, etc.
Learn more about coffee varieties and coffee making machines in my very comprehensive online guide here >> How to Pick the Best Coffee Maker
You're good to go!!
Cappuccino vs. Latte
Do you ever find yourself standing at the counter at your local coffee house pondering the difference between cappuccino and latte? Ever wondered how this hugely popular specialty coffee industry got started? Let’s take a look.
The terms caffè and latte were first used in 1847 and later in 1867 they appeared in William Dean Howells essay "Italian Journeys". Latte means milk in Italian and the caffè version of this drink is an American invention.
Caffè latte originated in Caffè Mediterraneum, a café in Berkeley, California and was brewed in its current form by Lino Meiorin for the first time.
He added more milk to this otherwise strong cappuccino and called this new drink "caffè latte".
Cappuccino, in commercial form, was introduced at the beginning of 20th Century when the patented espresso machines were introduced by Luigi Bezzera of Milan in 1901.
These machines made the cappuccino very popular in cafes and restaurants and the current form developed by the 1950s.
What, exactly, is a cappuccino?
A cappuccino consists of 1/3 espresso, 1/3 milk and 1/3 foamed milk.
The name, cappuccino, derives from the Italian word, Capuchin, which means “small cap.”
The name, cappuccino, derives from the Italian word, Capuchin, which means “small cap.”
It is traditionally served in Italy as a breakfast drink, but coffee aficionados now drink it any time of day.
A cappuccino should also traditionally be no more than 6 fluid ounces. Coffee houses such as Starbucks serve “cappuccinos” in much larger sizes, however.
Often times these larger drinks simply contain more milk instead of additional coffee, so that super grande may not be such a bargain after all.
Variations of the cappuccino include an iced version with no foamed milk called Cappuccino Freddo and babyccino, a cappuccino with no coffee intended for small children. Chocolate is often added.
What is a latte?
A latte is a shortened version of the Italian caffe latte, which translated means "coffee milk". It consists entirely of espresso and steamed milk.
In Italy, the coffee is brewed at home (usually in a moka pot) and enjoyed with breakfast. Lattes are typically larger than cappuccinos (up to 20 ounces) and may contain multiple shots of espresso.
They have a very thin layer of frothed milk. A latte is essentially a super-sized cappuccino minus a lot of the foam. The primary difference is size.
Latte's also are known for the interesting art created in the foam. This art form requires a steady hand. It is very interesting to look at and difficult to master.
As with most everything, commercialization of specialty drinks has made the difference between lattes and cappuccinos moot.
A lot of commercial coffee houses don't bother to differentiate between the two.
If you wish to purchase traditional versions of these beverages it might be best to stick to independently-owned coffee houses where possible.
If you wish to purchase traditional versions of these beverages it might be best to stick to independently-owned coffee houses where possible.
Another option is to purchase the equipment and make these delicious drinks at home for a more traditional experience.
Learn more about coffee varieties and coffee making machines in my very comprehensive online guide here >> How to Pick the Best Coffee Maker
