How do you make a perfect cappuccino? Our step-by-step guide shows you how to do it easily. You don’t need an expensive fully automatic coffee machine. It just depends on the right mix of ingredients.
Find more food guides, tips and advice
It doesn’t take a vacation in Italy to enjoy the creamy milk foam and experience the authentic taste. You can also easily make cappuccino yourself – even without buying extra ready-made powder.
Historical and basic information about cappuccino
The Italians copied their favorite drink from the Austrians, because cappuccino was based on the Capuchin. This Viennese coffee specialty consists of mocha, which is served mixed with whipped cream. The resulting color is reminiscent of the habit of a Capuchin monk. The Italians also remained true to this name, because “cappuccio” stands for “hood”. Cappuccino is prepared in a typically Italian manner, however, by pouring espresso with milk foam. When pouring, the crema of the espresso finally settles, creating the characteristic look.
It depends on the right beans
It’s no secret that perfect cappuccino is preferably made with a portafilter machine. But even without the tools of the real baristas, the production succeeds. It depends on the right mix of ingredients. First of all, you need to know that cappuccino consists of espresso, hot milk and milk foam in equal proportions.
If you want to prepare cappuccino classically, use Arabica and Robusta beans in a ratio of 60/40. The proportion of Robusta beans fluctuates and, especially in northern Italy, pure Arabica coffee is often used. However, Robusta beans improve the taste and produce more crema.
Tip:
The cult drink is served in a thick-walled cup. It is always best to preheat them, because then the drink cools down less quickly while you prepare the milk foam.
Which milk is best?
As we now know, cappuccino consists of espresso, hot milk and milk foam. And just like choosing the perfect beans, choosing the right milk is important for good taste. In principle:
When preparing milk foam, you should avoid low-fat milk because the strength of the foam increases with the amount of fat in it. Milk foam works best with whole milk that contains at least 3.5 percent fat. If you pay attention to your figure, you should not make any compromises when preparing cappuccino. Because prepare the cappuccino with skimmed milk, you only consume 45 calories, but then you will probably complain about the floppy milk foam. If you use fatty milk, you get that authentic cappuccino feeling – and that with just 70 calories.
It is entirely up to you whether you use cow’s milk, almond milk or soy milk for the milk foam. Here you have free choice.
Steps to make a perfect cappuccino
Making the espresso:
If you have the right beans and the right milk at home, you can make cappuccino yourself in no time. To do this, you should first make the espresso.
Froth milk:
Now you need to heat 100 milliliters of milk. It is important that you do not bring the milk to a boil. The temperature should not rise above 60 degrees. As a rule of thumb, the milk is at the right temperature if you can touch it without burning your fingers. Once frothed up, the milk cannot be turned into milk foam again.
Then you have to froth the milk . You can trust your own muscle strength and work with a whisk. You can also whip the milk with a hand blender. In about two minutes it should take on a foamy consistency. You can make the milk foam without any aids if you pour the milk into a sufficiently large and tightly fitting mason jar and shake it vigorously. For the more frequent preparation of milk foam, however, the purchase of an electric milk frother is recommended. There the milk is poured in and whipped at the push of a button.
Tip:
You can easily check whether the milk foam has the right consistency. Simply place an amaretti (Italian protein pastry with almonds) on the milk foam. The milk foam is perfect if the small almond biscuit does not sink completely.
Pour the cappuccino:
When the espresso is brewed and you have turned half of the milk into milk foam, you can serve the cappuccino. To do this, first pour the hot espresso into the warmed cup. Then pour the warm milk in the middle and carefully push the milk foam onto the drink with a spoon.
Decorate the cappuccino:
The Italians now often create delicate works of art on the milk foam. With a heart made from cocoa powder or cinnamon, you can make the perfect cappuccino in just a few simple steps. There are even extra templates to buy. So you can definitely impress your guests the next time you visit for a cup of cappuccino.
How to make cappuccino powder yourself
When things have to go quickly, ready powder is often used. The taste of commercial blends seldom convinces coffee lovers all around. That is why we will tell you here how you can easily make cappuccino powder yourself and keep a good stock. Simply mix the following ingredients:
- 200 grams of soluble coffee powder
- 200 grams of cocoa powder
- 400 grams of sugar
- 400 grams of creamer
Put the mixture in a well-sealed can. You do not have to exactly adhere to the quantities. You can vary the cocoa or sugar content according to your taste and preference. The preparation is also child’s play:
- Bring water to a boil.
- Heat milk.
- Put two to three teaspoons of cappuccino powder in a cup.
- Mix the boiling water with the cappuccino powder.
- Froth hot milk.
- Carefully pour milk foam onto the cappuccino.
You can then refine your homemade cappuccino as you like. There are no limits here. In the coffee houses, for example, experiments are being carried out with numerous syrups and various additives. Try a vanilla or nutty cappuccino or treat yourself to a variant with ice cubes on hot summer days. Whatever you like and above all taste is allowed.
If you want to let off steam, you can do without cappuccino stencils and become a real coffee artist!
