Caffè
Cappuccino
The short answer
A cappuccino is one shot of espresso with equal parts steamed milk and microfoam — about 150 ml total — and in Italy it is drunk only before 11 a.m.
- Style
- Espresso, steamed milk, foam in thirds
- Glass
- 150 ml pre-warmed porcelain cup
- Strength
- None
Where it comes from
Named for the colour of Capuchin friars' robes. It reached Italian bars in the 1930s with the spread of steam machines, and the breakfast-only rule came with it: milk is considered food, and food before espresso is a morning affair.
What you need
- 1 shot (25–30 ml) espresso
- About 60 ml steamed milk
- About 60 ml microfoam
- No chocolate powder, in Italy at least
How Larry builds it
- 01
Steam to 60–65°C. Hotter than that scalds the milk and kills the sweetness.
- 02
Build glossy microfoam. Tiny bubbles, wet-paint texture. Stiff dry foam is a mistake, not a style.
- 03
Pour into espresso. From height first to fold the milk in, then close for the pattern.
- 04
Serve immediately. A cappuccino holds its texture for about three minutes.
Larry’s rule: Ordering one after dinner is legal but everyone will notice.
Variations worth making
Cappuccino scuro
Less milk, darker. Ask for it if the standard version is too mild.
Marocchino
Espresso, cocoa and a spoon of foam in a small glass.
Caffè latte
More milk, less foam, served in a glass.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between a cappuccino and a latte?
Proportions. A cappuccino is a third espresso, a third milk and a third foam in a 150 ml cup; a latte is mostly steamed milk with a thin foam cap in a bigger glass.
Why do Italians not drink cappuccino after lunch?
Milk is treated as food and considered heavy on a full stomach. After a meal it is espresso.
How much caffeine is in a cappuccino?
The same as its espresso base — around 60–80 mg for a single shot.
More from Caffè
← All 67 Italian drinksQuoting or citing this drink? Credit “Uncle Larry Adventures” and link to https://unclelarryadventures.com/beverages/cappuccino.