How to Whip Up the Perfect Cappuccino              

Create the café experience at home with these essential tips

From the LifeMinute.TV Team

November 8, 2021

Originating in Italy, the cappuccino conjures up images of gourmet coffee shops. While the drink may seem too fancy to sip at home, it is easier to make than you think. With a few key ingredients (espresso, steamed milk, and frothed milk), and some tips, you can create the café sensation in your kitchen. The classic cappuccino contains equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foamed milk. Here’s what you need to know about each component, including the cup.

The Milky Way
Always start with milk that is as cold as possible. It takes air better and gives you more time to work it as it gradually heats up. Whole milk is superior because it is thick and will create a velvety texture. Make sure it is fresh and not close to its expiration date. If you need to use a milk alternative, try oat or macadamia nut milk. When it comes time to steam the milk, an espresso machine with a steam wand works amazingly well but can be pricey. If you don’t have one, don’t worry. You can use other techniques to froth your milk.

Get Frothy
To froth your milk at home without a machine, you can use a milk frother, handheld frother, French press, microwave, or even a whisk to work milk over a heated saucepan.

In a microwave
-Fill a small or medium mason jar halfway with milk
-Put the lid on tightly and shake for 30 seconds
-Take off the lid and microwave for 30 to 45 seconds

On a stovetop
-In a small saucepan, heat milk over medium-low heat until steaming
-Whisk gently until temperature reaches 150 degrees and milk begins to steam

No matter the method you choose to froth your milk, make sure you don't overheat it as that can cause the milk to become too sweet or even sour. At a temperature between 139–149 degrees, all of the fats in milk have melted into liquid form and will not destroy the foam. You can use a thermometer to check the temperature. You want to froth your milk for the correct amount of time too. Longer is always better to add air and get the whipped texture.

Espresso Yourself
Choose quality espresso beans that are medium-dark to dark roast. They are more soluble and extract more quickly. Ground the coffee beans finer than you would with regular coffee. If you are using an espresso machine, make sure to tamp your grounds to compress the grinds into an evenly distributed puck. You can also make espresso with a French press. Since the grind size is much finer than ones used in an espresso machine, the recommendation is to use twice the amount of coffee one would typically use in a French press.

Pick Your Cup
When it comes to picking a vessel for your cappuccino, size, shape, and heat retention matter most. A typical cappuccino cup is between 5-6 ounces with a narrow base and wider rim. To keep your drink hot, choose a cup made from something like porcelain which retains heat better. You can pre-warm the mug by adding boiling water to it and letting it sit for a few minutes. Then dump the water out right before you pour your cappuccino in. This will help ensure the heat from the drink is not absorbed as quickly as it would if you were using a cool cup. If you are using a 6-ounce cup, pour 2 ounces of espresso and then add 4 ounces of milk, half of that being extra frothy microfoam textured milk.

Feeling Artsy
Get creative with your capp by making different designs using a pitcher to pour your milk. 

Make a heart
-Angle a cup at a 45-degree angle
-Use a pitcher to pour milk into the center of the cup
-When the cup is ¾ full, start shaking your hand slightly while moving the pitcher closer to the cup, and a circle shape will begin to form
-When the cup is almost full, pour milk in line from one side to the other through the center to form a heart shape