Cappuccino

For other uses, see Cappuccino (disambiguation).

Cappuccino
A cappuccino served in the appropriate cup
Country of origin Italy
IntroducedLate 18th century
ColorLight brown, dark brown, beige, white, black

Cappuccino (/ˌkæpʊˈtʃiːnoʊ/ ⓘ, Italian: [kapputˈtʃiːno]; from German Kapuziner)[1] is an espresso-based coffee drink that is traditionally prepared with steamed milk including a layer of milk foam.[2]

Variations of the drink involve the use of cream instead of milk, using non-dairy milk substitutes and flavoring with cocoa powder (in Europe and Australasia) or cinnamon (in the United States and South Korea).[3][4] It is typically smaller in volume than that of a caffè latte, and topped with a thick layer of foam rather than being made with microfoam.[5]

The name comes from the Capuchin friars, referring to the color of their habits,[6] and in this context, referring to the color of the beverage when milk is added in small portion to dark, brewed coffee[7] (today mostly espresso). The physical appearance of a modern cappuccino with espresso crema and steamed milk is a result of a long evolution of the drink.

The Viennese bestowed the name Kapuziner, possibly in the 18th century, on an early version that included whipped cream and spices. Later, the Kapuziner was introduced in northern Italy during the period of Austrian domination and Italians started to use it for the beverage as well the friar dress.[8] It is sometimes said to have been served in the coffeehouses of Trieste and other Italian areas of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the early 20th century, spreading throughout the Kingdom of Italy after World War I. However, the existence in central Italy of a coffee drink mixed with milk named cappuccino is already documented in the 19th century.[9]

  1. ^ Chrystal, Paul (April 15, 2016). Coffee: A Drink for the Devil. Amberley Publishing Limited. ISBN 978-1-4456-4840-8. Archived from the original on July 15, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  2. ^ "What Is a Cappuccino?". The Spruce Eats. Archived from the original on November 6, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference latteartguide was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Cappuccino – Definition of cappuccino by Merriam-Webster". merriam-webster.com. Archived from the original on June 15, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  5. ^ "Cappuccino vs Latte - What's the Difference?". Latte Art Guide. January 26, 2016. Archived from the original on November 6, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  6. ^ "Cappuccino". etymonline.com. Archived from the original on August 12, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
  7. ^ "Where Does the Name 'Cappuccino' Come From?". www.merriam-webster.com. Archived from the original on August 27, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  8. ^ Thurston, Robert W.; Morris, Jonathan; Steiman, Shawn (October 10, 2013). Coffee: A Comprehensive Guide to the Bean, the Beverage, and the Industry. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. ISBN 978-1-4422-1442-2. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  9. ^ Baedeker, Karl (1893). Italy: Handbook for Travellers: Second Part, Central Italy and Rome. Leipzig: Karl Baedeker. p. XIX. Archived from the original on January 28, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2023. Caffè latte is coffee mixed with milk before being served (30–50c.; cappuccino, or small cup, cheaper).