How to Make Cappuccino

Posted on March 31st, 2009 by Elaine

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You spend a lot of time in Starbucks, buying one cup of cappuccino after another. Don’t you know you can make your own cappuccino at home? All it takes is just a few ingredients, some kitchen materials and an espresso machine. Here’s how to make a steaming and foamy cup of cappuccino.

What You’ll Need:

Procedure:

Chill the metal pitcher by putting it in the freezer. This will produce a better foam.

cappuccino

Get your fresh milk, and put some in the metal pitcher, filling 2/5 of the way. You should use whole milk, since it’s fresh and hasn’t been steamed before.
Put the thermometer properly inside the pitcher.
You now have to froth the milk. Put the steam wand at an angle that’s diagonal, just below the milk’s surface. Since this isn’t a latte, you’ll need to have majority turned to froth. Steam it until it’s at 65° Celsius (150° Fahrenheit). If you want it to be hotter, make sure you don’t exceed 70° Celsius (155° Fahrenheit). The froth and milk’s temperature will rise to 10° Celsius (5° Fahrenheit) more when it sits.
Put the milk in the fridge for 30 seconds, to set up the foam better.
Get your ground espresso beans and tamp them into the head. Lock into position on the espresso machine.
You now have to pour the shot. This is the tricky part, and yet once done properly it’s considered art. Pour two shots of espresso in the coffee mug or container. Make sure it’s big enough, since you’ll still need to put foam and milk.
Pour the steam milk over the shot, using a spoon to hold back the froth. Fill the container until it’s halfway filled.
Get the remaining froth and scoop it on top of the milk, until it’s just above the rim of the mug.
Sprinkle with nutmeg, ground chocolate or cinnamon for a richer taste.

Cappuccino Tips

If you’ve trained to be a barista, you’ll know how to steam milk the proper way, so it’ll be “free-poured” and will separate into a perfect proportion of frothed and steamed milk by itself. You won’t need to use a spoon. (Tips on how to become a barista)
If you want a wet cappuccino, add more milk and less froth. If you want a dry cappuccino, increase the amount of froth and use less or don’t use milk.
If you want a drink with less calories, use 1% or 2% nonfat milk
Be careful when operating the espresso machine. Steam causes severe burns, and the machine can also be very hot even after it’s turned off. When opening the machine’s steam tube valve, do it slowly.

Nothing can be more delightful than a steaming cup of hot and frothy cappuccino. The best part? You made it yourself! Just follow these steps and you’ll have nothing to worry about.