How to drink cappuccino the right way

One of the most ordered drink in the world many start their day with a cup of coffee or cappuccino. Read all about the most favoured brew and learn how to drink it right.

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When you think of coffee you get a picture of warming hands around a cup, long chats with friends or even making business deals.

This is one drink that has now got it’s own phrase of ‘lets talk over a cup of coffee’.

Our guests are welcomed by offering them an option of homemade Masala chai or coffee. Something that makes them feel instantaneously at ease and at home.

It is not until recently when I was gifted with a box of Colombian coffee beans, I realised how fascinating the world of coffee is.

Basic Facts About Cappuccino

Coffee is a drink that is made from coffee beans that has been roasted and ground. 

These beans are the seeds of the berries from some species of Coffea. These berries are picked and processed and then dried. It is this dried beans that are roasted and the degree to which it is roasted, determines the flavour it would have. 

The most important things about this beverage are the roast of the coffee bean, the grind and the brewing method.

Once you get all these factors right, you are sure to get the desired result. Time will fail us to go into full details but you can check out this site for more information on the basics of coffee production: https://www.britannica.com/topic/coffee

Different Types Of Coffee Drinks

Coffee is a celebrated drink all over the world; hardly can you find any place where it is not taken in one form or the other. These forms are brewed in different ways and the method of brewing gives each form its unique taste.

As we said earlier, coffee can be brewed in a variety of ways to produce different flavour profiles. It can also be taken black or with the addition of different ingredients. The following is a list of the different types:-

• Affogato
• Espresso Americano
• Café Latte
• Mocha
• Cafe au Lait
• Cappuccino
• Cold Brew Coffee
• Espresso
• Double Espresso
• Espresso Con Panna
• Espresso Macchiato
• Flat White
• Frappe
• Freakshake
• Ice Latte
• Caffe Mocha
• Irish Coffee
• Latte Macchiato
• Lungo
• Espresso Ristretto

This list may not represent all the varieties that you can concoct with coffee; baristas get more creative on a daily basis. 

Of all the brews that we have listed above, our focus in this piece is cappuccino. We would give you the basics and one recipe for making it.

What Is Cappuccino

It is a variety of coffee brew that originated from Italy and it is made from a combination of espresso with steamed and frothed milk.

It is quite popular mainly because of its balanced flavour profile. This makes is mildly sweet and neither overly weak nor strong.

To achieve the perfect cup of this brew, the 3 major components must balance properly. It is this balance that would give you the flavour, richness, aroma and acidity that cappuccino is known for.

Method of Preparation

The first step to successfully making a great cup of cappuccino is to have an espresso machine. If you are a novice in the world of coffee making, it is best that you start out with a simple espresso machine so that you would not be discouraged at first try.

With a good espresso machine, follow the steps below to make a perfect brew:-

1. Place your coffee beans that’s freshly ground in the portafilter of the machine and let it brew. You have the option of pulling a single shot or a double.
2. Steam the milk to about 37 to 62 degree Celsius. This would enable you to create milk froth.
3. When you have achieved the desired volume and texture, pour the milk over the pulled espresso.

What Is The Taste And Flavor Profile Of Cappuccino?

The three main components of this brew are

• espresso,
• steamed milk and
• frothed milk.

The espresso component is what gives the drink its strong flavour with a bitterness that’s not off-putting.  The milk components contain lactose which gives the drink its soft and sweet flavors.

So when you take a sip of a cup of this brew, you encounter the strong taste of coffee. In addition you also get a hint of the creaminess and sweetness that comes from the milk.

The taste of Cappuccino can also be further enhanced with chocolate, cinnamon, nuts and a number of syrups. These additions all depend on the creativity of the barista.

Benefits And Possible Side Effects Of Cappuccino

Much as we love to say that cappuccino is a drink that has a lot of health benefits, we must honestly say that some people have encountered side effects from its consumption. It is best to be aware of the benefits and possible side effects.

Health Benefits

The following are some of the health benefits of this brew:-

• It helps in weight loss and is compatible with low carb diets such as Atkins, Mediterranean and Keto.
• It lowers the dangers or possibility of heart related diseases due to the fact that it is packed with antioxidants.
• The caffeine and antioxidant properties help to reduce the likelihood of the occurrence of stroke.
• It reduces the risk of cancer
• It improves the workings of the brain

Possible Side Effects

These side effects can come about as a result of taking too much of any coffee based drink. They include but are not limited to the following:-

• Palpitation
• Restlessness
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Vomiting
• Nausea

It is advised that folks who have underlying health issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety, glaucoma, osteoporosis and some others should limit their intake of this beverage.

Conclusion

Cappuccino is a wonderful variant of coffee that offers a smooth and sweet flavour profile; it is neither overly strong nor weak. Taking two or more cups a day may do you a world of good. But note that just as with every good thing in life, you should not overdo it.