How To Make A Cappuccino With An Espresso Machine – You Should Know

For coffee lovers, Cappuccino might not be so strange. No one cannot resist a small cup with a combination of espresso, steamed milk, and frothy foam. Cappuccino is a traditional coffee; however, all the coffee fans are crazy about this drink. So do you are curious about how to make a cappuccino with an espresso machine, let’s be a barista in your kitchen. Prepare all necessary ingredients, follow the steps with an espresso machine and grab some tips below to make a perfect Cappuccino.

The Origin Of The Cappuccino

Many kinds of coffee makers coffee lovers are crazy about it, such as Pour-over, French press, macchiato, espresso, and Cappuccino. Coffee contains caffeine, which makes you stay sober and energetic for work or study. So, what is the origin of this famous drink, the Cappuccino? Let’s find out its history and discover everything you need to know about your Cappuccino. Moreover, if you have a coffee maker at home, you can learn how to make espresso with a coffee maker.

What Is A Cappuccino? 

Cappuccino is well-known as a famous drink from Italy. It is an espresso-based coffee with steamed milk and foam on the top. There are many changes in each Cappuccino in the world. They can use other ingredients to match their hobbies and tastes. Such as using non-dairy milk for the one who has an allergy to dairy products, or they can add cinnamon or change the thickness of the layers as they want. The name of this drink comes from Capuchin friars, which refers to the color of their habits. However, in Italian, Cappuccino has the meaning of “little cap” it describes the image of the coffee cup, a floating foam on the top of the espresso layer. 

The History Of Cappuccino

Coffee, in general, was known as coming from Europe. In the 18th century, the British and all the Europe started filtering and steeping coffee. Until the 19th century, coffee became popular in coffee shops and houses. In the 1700s, Europe added milk to coffee, so that is the time that the coffee beverage Kapuziner invented Cappuccino in Vienna. It is called Cappuccino in the 1930s in northern Italy. However, coffee was brewed and popular in Europe after the Second World War, and espresso machines were widespread until the 1950s. So, at that time, Cappuccino was popular with the recipes and ingredients we know now.

Traditional Cappuccino 

As mentioned above, espresso machines like Cappuccino were popular late in Italy. Of the large and complex in size of espresso machines, people nowadays enjoy Cappuccino in the coffee house. The traditional Cappuccino has equal layers, the same amount of espresso, steamed milk, and top foaming. Cappuccino frequently contains double the amount of espresso than milk foam. The froth is like an insulator. It divides two layers and keeps espresso hot for a longer time. With the unique structures of the mug, coffee lovers consider Cappuccino a special drink to enjoy.

Wet And Dry Cappuccino

Cappuccinos have divided into two types basically wet Cappuccino and dry Cappuccino. The damp Cappuccino is usually called and known as Light Cappuccino or Cappuccino Chiaro. It is creamier than the traditional Cappuccino. As mentioned, the conventional Cappuccino includes the same amount of each part, espresso, steamed milk, and foam. The wet Cappuccino seems different; it concludes with more steamed milk than the foaming layer. We can create a latte to adjust the structure in the Cappuccino, espresso, or steamed milk, with or without milk foam. Isn’t it surprising?

On the contrary, for the dry Cappuccino. It is often called Dark Cappuccino or Cappuccino Scuro. It is different from the traditional one, as dry Cappuccino has thicker milk foam. The espresso layer is darker than the traditional one because it has less steamed milk. Of course, the flavor is exceptionally different because of the layers. It is stronger than the traditional Cappuccino. Here is another way that you can try to create a new flavor, which is called “bone dry”. You can adjust a slight change in the layers, “bone dry” contains espresso, milk foam, and no steamed milk. It seems that by just making a change, we can change the structure of the coffee mug and create new kinds. It might be special and unique for the coffee barista. 

Ingredients For A Cappuccino

A good cappuccino contains many factors. First, you must prepare enough ingredients:

  • Espresso
  • Milk foam 
  • Steamed milk

For the equipment for making Cappuccino, you need to prepare the following:

  • Espresso machine
  • Thermometer
  • Milk jug

Are you ready to make your Cappuccino at home? We have just finished the ingredient step. Next is a cappuccino recipe.

A Cappuccino Recipe

After gathering enough ingredients, you might want to jump into the preparation step. You can look up many recipes by searching the internet. Or else, you can follow the step suggested below:

  • Step 1: By using the Espresso machine to make espresso
  • Step 2: Steam the milk in the Espresso machine. Remember that the texture of the foam is significant. The Cappuccino needs more foam than the steamed milk, making it perfect!
  • Step 3: Reduce large air bubbles by tapping the milk jug
  • Step 4: Pouring the milk on top of the espresso slowly to get a smooth foam
  • Step 5: Serving and enjoy your drink at home 

It seems not ready hard, right? So be prepared to get a cappuccino cup!

Espresso, First

First, you need to prepare the most important ingredient, espresso. Of course, every cappuccino mug has espresso. For the roast espresso, getting the right bitter flavor for your Cappuccino is essential. For your espresso cup, you can use your espresso machine to brew.

Prepare Milk For Your Cappuccino

Besides espresso, choosing the best milk for your cappuccino cup is also significant. Milk creates the signature flavor of Cappuccino. Have you ever wondered what the best milk for a cappuccino is? You can refer to some notes here.

Of course, fresh milk will affect the flavor of a brilliant Cappuccino. If the milk is not new, it will not make a beautiful foam. The next thing that you want to know is that whole milk is the best to make a cappuccino because of the highest milk fat. For someone vegetarian, you can look for oat milk, which can be an excellent replacement for whole milk. It can also make a great foam on the top of your Cappuccino and has a great flavor.

Espresso Machine

The espresso machine has multi-functions. It not only makes espresso for the base of the Cappuccino. You can make other layers, such as steamed milk and foam, with the wand. With an espresso machine, you can make a cappuccino cup in just a few minutes.

Milk Jug

A milk jug is a stainless jug to contain fresh milk for steaming and fresh frothing. 

Thermometer

To use a thermometer, you should be careful with the degree. To make froth and steamed milk, you have to adjust it to 150 to 155 degrees Fahrenheit, which is an ideal temperature for your Cappuccino. At this temperature, the bubble will not be crashed. Some professionals will not need the thermometer. They only feel the temperature with their hand and touch the milk jug. 

Read more:

How To Make An Excellent Cappuccino At Home?

The information above is necessary to make a cappuccino. Now we will dig out how to make a cappuccino by espresso machine at home.

Make Espresso

Prepare about 20 grams of grind coffee, clean water, a filter, and other necessary tools. Plug the espresso machine to heat it for about 45 minutes and fill in enough water. It is excellent if you have a ready-grind coffee. Control the fine of the grind coffee powder. Use the portafilter and flatten the coffee ground.

Steam Milk With The Espresso Machine

With the wand of the espresso machine, we can make a steamed milk layer. We are making a frothing layer with an espresso machine. 

Froth Milk 

Use cold milk to make the foam. Fill in the jug about 2/3, and the other is for the milk foam. Release steam for 2 seconds after making a froth with an espresso machine. 

Pour The Foam 

Swirl milk to make sure the microfoam is together. Pouring steadily with your hand on the top of the cup, start at the center, and slightly wiggle. Once the microfoam is sprayed, tilt the pitcher toward the cappuccino cup.

Serving And Enjoy

After preparing all the layers, you serve and enjoy them immediately. Before that, maybe you want to capture your goal.

Some Tips

You have to prepare it well to have a perfect cappuccino for yourself. Grab some super useful tips for yourself to apply for your own drink.

When the milk starts heating, you should adjust a wand lower at the same height as the jug, and it will create a layer in this process.

When pouring espresso, swirl the milk to make a liquid around.

For making foam for your cappuccino cup, please take note that you should spin faster the last time that you start pouring it into the cappuccino cup. Slightly pour at the high to low and wiggle to make a beautiful foam at the top of the Cappuccino.

Use only fresh milk with the validation about five days after purchasing, and never reuse the milk. It will ensure that you will have a perfect cappuccino.

Clean every tool and equipment after using it.

And the important thing that you must be careful about is the temperature of the milk, do not overheat it. If the temperature is too hot, you will spoil the froth, which primarily affects your taste.

You do not want to make your Cappuccino go wrong. So besides beautiful ingredients, you must note that all steps are essential, so register.

Conclusion

Cappuccino nowadays seems very attractive and popular to all people through the ages. You can get it from Café or any coffee house. Or everything seems very easy because you can make it yourself at home. I hope some notes above can help you make your Cappuccino with an espresso machine. It might not be complicated if you retake it many times. And some tips at the end might be constructive for you to refer to and create a beautiful cappuccino for relaxing or working at home.

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