The cappuccino: a classic with an exciting history
The cappuccino has an exciting history that stretches from Austria to Italy and all over the world. From the original “Kapuziner” with cream to the modern coffee classic with fine-pored milk foam - it is impossible to imagine life without this cult drink today.
Origin and development
The cappuccino, one of the most popular coffee specialties in the world, did not originate in Italy, but in Austria. The first version, the so-called “Kapuziner”, was a mocha coffee with a generous portion of whipped cream. This topping of cream was reminiscent of the light brown robes of the Capuchin monks and thus gave the drink its name.
During the First World War, Austrian soldiers brought the Capuchin to Italy, where it took on a new form thanks to the development of the espresso machine: the classic cappuccino as we know and love it today was born with frothed milk instead of whipped cream.
Culture and etiquette
The cappuccino is a coffee specialty that is deeply rooted in Italian coffee culture. Anyone who has ever been to Italy knows that the cappuccino is a drink for the morning. It is traditionally enjoyed for breakfast, often together with a sweet pastry such as a cornetto. After 12 noon at the latest, it is unusual - even frowned upon - to order a cappuccino in Italy.
In the afternoon and evening, the espresso is the main protagonist. It is served as a light end to a meal or provides the necessary energy boost during a hard day's work.
Outside Italy, the cappuccino has a slightly different role. In many countries, it is enjoyed at any time of day, whether in a café, restaurant or at a local coffee roastery. It has established itself as a symbol of an upscale yet accessible coffee drink. In the USA in particular, franchise coffee shops such as Starbucks and CoffeeBean created a hype for lattes in the 1990s. From then on, the cappuccino enjoyed worldwide popularity and became synonymous with modern coffee culture.
Preparation and ratio
Preparing a perfect cappuccino basically only requires precision, high-quality ingredients and the right ratio. Here's how to make it step by step:
- Prepare the espresso: A single shot of espresso is required for the base of the cappuccino. Desta's Coffee espresso beans offer an intense and balanced taste - the perfect basis for a perfect cappuccino.
- Frothing the milk: The milk should be heated to around 60-70°C and whipped into a creamy froth. Make sure that the foam is fine-pored and has a velvety consistency.
- Layers in proportion: The cappuccino consists of one third espresso and two thirds milk foam. Now carefully pour the frothed milk into the cup with the espresso. Make sure that a nice layer of foam forms at the top. The cappuccino simply tastes best this way - and looks like it was prepared by a barista.
The perfect beans
Has this blog post inspired you to challenge your barista skills? Our espresso beans are the ideal way to start making your first cappuccino.