Coffee is the way many kickstart their days and have energy throughout. There are different types of coffees such as Latte, Mocha, Espresso, and others but Cappuccino seems to be the favorite option for most people. It’s because Cappuccino is easy to make without a proper coffee vending machine.
What is Cappuccino?
For those of you who can’t seem to find the difference, Cappuccino is made out of espresso shot and has originated from Italy. Cappuccino requires using milk traditionally while some people also use cream along with variations of non-dairy milk. Flavoring is done via a range of cinnamon and chocolate powders. Cappuccino can be made by adding milk to a small portion of brewed coffee namely Espresso.
Can You Make Cappuccino at Home?
Yes! Making a cappuccino at home is possible. You can either have a coffee machine or make the coffee manually. However, do note that in case you make the cappuccino manually, it would take a long time. Also, the taste isn’t guaranteed because unlike a machine, humans do not follow any strict standards.
Making a cappuccino at home is also a fun activity for many as people try out new variants by adding cream, different types of milk, using various coffee beans, and other changes to the original recipe. It is our fine belief that making any type of coffee is an art and you do need sufficient practice before you are able to have a cup of finely brewed cappuccino.
In case you want to buy a coffee machine and get away from all the hassle, you can check the best ones here – Top 5 Best Coffee Makers for Every Brewing Need
Quick Recipe to Make Cappuccino
Things You Will Need
The following ingredients can be purchased from any nearby shop.
- Instant Coffee
- Sugar
- Milk
- Finely Ground Roast Coffee
- Water
- Gloves
- Kettle
- Moka Pot
Step 1 – Making Espresso
Prior to making a cappuccino, you need to make the espresso first as it will add up in the coffee to make cappuccino. Moka Pot is perhaps the most authentic way to produce an espresso shot because it was used in earlier times. It is a small metal pitcher coming with several parts such as a lower chamber, filter, inner funnel, upper chamber, and lid.
To make the espresso, you should fill the lower chamber with cold water and grind coffee beans in a consistent shape and add them to the filter. The volume of these coffee beans should be equivalent to fill up the Moka pot filter. Next, screw the upper chamber and place the Moka pot on a small burner. It is important to know that the Moka pot must not be heated too much else there won’t be equal flavor and the coffee can mess up too. The water will eventually boil and when you hear a gurgling sound, it is an indication that foam will now be created. The sound shows that water is traveling up the funnel towards the upper chamber.
You can keep a check on the Moka pot lid with a spoon. Use gloves to make sure you don’t burn yourself. Once the upper chamber fills up with coffee and foam comes out, the espresso is prepared. You can now remove the Moka pot from the stove so that it does not “overbrew”.
In case you want to make an espresso shot from a French Press or AeroPress, you can find out the recipe here – Easiest Recipe to Make Espresso at Home
Step 2 – Steam the Milk
We recommend preparing espresso and cappuccino coffee side by side. While the water boils, you will have sufficient time to perform these remaining steps. For 1 cup of cappuccino, heat 1 cup of milk on medium heat but make sure that the milk does not boil. Once the bubbles start to form, it is an indication that milk has been prepared. If you like a creamy cappuccino, you can also whip the milk and thicken it. However, you would need to purchase an electric mixer for that as it helps in thickening the milk and getting you a foamy texture. There are also manual mixers which you can easily buy from Amazon.com
Step 3 – Making Coffee
Espresso and Milk are ready! Now it’s time for making the coffee. You can now use any kind of roast coffee, decaf coffee, or whatever suits your taste buds more. Keep in mind that roast coffees have more flavor while decaf usually has less caffeine.
You now need to boil a kettle with 7 ounces of water. Once boiled, the volume will be about 5 to 6 ounces. Add 2 tablespoons of instant coffee for a mug while the water boils. Once the water is ready, pour it into the cup and stir it thoroughly. You need to stir it unless the granules completely dissolve in the water.
Step 4 -Making Cappuccino
Everything is ready and all that is left is to make the cappuccino! The Authentic cappuccino is an addition of espresso, steamed milk, and coffee all in equal quantities but you can have that slightly adjusted according to your taste. For example, many people like it dark so they add less milk and more coffee. If a person likes the coffee not too dark, he can use more milk, less espresso, and coffee. To make it even tastier, you can repeat the process but change the type of milk such as chocolate milk or vanilla.
For those who are chocolate fans, add some chocolate chips and enjoy. Serve the coffee immediately once ready. Keep in mind that the above-mentioned three steps can be performed side by side. As a result, the cappuccino will be made quickly saving you valuable time.
Alternative Idea
Although this may seem like a long process, once you make cappuccino multiple times, you will be able to finish making one in less time. Also, we recommend that you always use protective equipment such as gloves. This is essential for beginners mainly because the beginners might end up burning their hands without protective equipment.
In case you don’t want to get into all of that hassle we mentioned above, the alternative idea is to use a French Press or an AeroPress. These machines assist you in brewing the coffee and espresso while also steaming the milk to the required temperature without boiling it. They also benefit you by reducing the time, effort, and ensuring that you get one standard of coffee. There are different brands such as Hamilton Beach, Breville, Black and Decker, and others as well which you can buy.
Fortunately, we have compiled a list of some of the best coffee makers that you can get – The Best High-Tech and Low-Tech Coffee Makers
A list of different types of Aero Press is also here along with the buying guide – Guide to Aeropress Coffee Makers.
Cappuccino Nutritional Values
475ml or 16-ounce Cappuccino contains 130 calories with 8 grams of protein, 5 grams of total fat, and 13 grams of carbohydrates. There is about 173mg of caffeine which is sufficient to have you boosted for the next couple of hours.
Benefits of Cappuccino
Although coffee is not recommended in high quantities, a balanced intake could definitely prove beneficial for you in numerous ways.
One of the main benefits is that one cup of cappuccino which is 180 ml helps in preventing oxidation of bad cholesterol and lowers the risk of different types of heart problems as well. The chances of developing potential heart disease are also reduced by 20%. However, you need to make sure that a high quantity is not consumed because a high dose of caffeine may cause you hallucinations and could give you mental disorders such as anxiety. The possibility of a stroke could increase. One cup a day is fine!
Another benefit of cappuccino is that it helps in controlling blood sugar. People who specifically take dark coffee or the one which does not have any sugars will be having improved blood sugar. Digestive issues are also resolved as cappuccino helps in working as a mild laxative for the human body.
Cappuccino can be useful for attaining your weight goals. Losing weight is easy with coffee. Since it provides you with ample amounts of calories and vital nutrients with dissolvable fats while aiding in digestion as well. Coffee burns excess fats in the body and keeps you active for long so you can also workout more. Many expert nutritionists suggest that coffee should be made a part of a regular diet if a person wants to control their weight.
Conclusion
Cappuccino is one of the tastiest coffees ever made. With a chocolaty aroma combined with a shot of espresso, Cappuccino is something that everyone should try especially during the winter season. Become your own barista by making the cappuccino according to your desired taste and flavors through the simplest recipe that we mentioned above. Make sure you keep a note of the important points.