How to Make Cappuccino at Home

Have you ever wondered how to make cappuccino at home — without expensive equipment or a professional barista? Many people associate this speciality coffee with cafés and restaurants, but making it yourself is not only possible, it’s deliciously rewarding.

Now that cafés might not always be easily accessible, there’s no better time to learn this skill. With a few tips and some quality ingredients, you can craft a perfect cappuccino from your own kitchen. And once you’re ready, don’t forget to buy the finest-quality coffee beans online from The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company. Our Kent-based factory roasts over 70 types, ensuring every cup is packed with flavour.

What is Cappuccino?

Many people have asked, “What’s in a cappuccino?”, and some have gone further to put cappuccino vs latte to see which is better. The latter question is a matter of personal opinion (although we’ll be talking about the difference between latte and cappuccino a little below).

Right now, what you need to know is that a cappuccino is an Espresso Coffee made with hot milk and steamed milk foam.

The history of this beverage is a fascinating one. Its name comes from the colour of the drink, specifically its similarity to the brown colour of the habits (i.e. clothes) of Capuchin friars. It’s worth noting, though, that its physical appearance is the product of a long evolution.

The Viennese started with the name “Kapuziner,” referring to an 18th-century version with whipped cream and spices.

Cappuccino is nevertheless an Italian creation that first spread beyond the borders in the 1930s. Food historians seem to believe that it originated from Viennese-style cafes in Trieste, specifically, and other cities of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The next few decades saw it spread throughout the world. Cappuccino Coffee is now one of the most popular Coffee styles available, along with Whipped Coffee recipes and Dalgona Coffee recipes.

How Many Calories in Cappuccino ?

Coffee beans that haven’t yet undergone any “styling” (e.g. cappuccino, latte, flat white) contain next to no calories. It’s when you add the likes of dairy milk or even a non dairy milk for Coffee that the numbers start to hike upwards.

If you’re looking to cut down your calorie intake, then, you’d be better off serving your Coffee black. If, however, you like cappuccino (as most of us do), you can expect a higher content.

So, how many calories in a cappuccino? It depends. A small cappuccino with skimmed milk has around 38 calories, while a large one will have about 97 calories.

In comparison, a small Coffee of this kind, when you use full-fat milk, can have up to 59 calories and a large might boast 159 calories. The bottom line is that you can make changes to your cappuccino in order to influence its calorie amount.

Cappuccino vs Latte

When you look at the blackboard at your local Coffee shop, you’ll almost certainly see numerous choices. A cappuccino is undoubtedly one of the most popular varieties.

However, another one is that of the latte. If you’re wondering, “What is the difference between latte and cappuccino,” it mostly comes down to ratios. Confused? Allow us to explain further.

A latte does, admittedly, have some similarities to its counterpart in that it is an Espresso Coffee with the usual accompaniments. What sets it apart is the fact that it consists of ⅙ espresso, ⅔ steamed milk and ⅙ foamed milk.

A cappuccino, on the other hand, is equal parts of each: ⅓ espresso, ⅓ steamed milk and ⅓ foamed milk. We won’t comment on which one is better because that’s not our place to decide.

How to Make Cappuccino at Home: The Perfect Cup

Now for the moment you’ve been waiting for: how to make cappuccino at home. There is indeed no need to leave your home to get your choice Coffee anymore.

No need to venture into a cafe or restaurant just to pick up this delightful treat. You can achieve the same effect by following the instructions below. Just don’t forget to buy Cappuccino Coffee beans from us before you start! Whether you prefer single origin coffee or a coffee blend, we have what you’re looking for.

1, Start by Brewing Regular Coffee

Consider using our Pluckley Espresso Roast or Calypso Coffee, both of which come in your preferred grind (e.g. Ground Espresso Fine, Ground Medium Fine, Ground Cafetiere Coarse). This will, of course, serve as the base to your drink.

While espresso is ideal, strong brewed coffee or even French press coffee will work well if you don’t have espresso equipment.

2, Prepare the Milk

Heat one cup of milk or a Milk Alternative for Coffee in a saucepan over a medium heat. Use a kitchen thermometer to monitor the temperature and heat the milk to between 140–150°F (60–65°C). This is the ideal range for frothing—any hotter, and the milk may burn, resulting in a scorched taste.

Once the milk reaches temperature and bubbles begin to form around the edges, remove it from heat and set it on a flat surface. Whole milk is preferable for a creamier, richer foam, but oat, almond, and soy milk can also produce good results with the right technique.

3, Create the Froth

You can now whip some of the milk with an electric mixer, increasing the speed as it begins to thicken.

Continue this stage until you get the desired volume of froth. The finished product will be served alongside the steamed milk that HASN’T been whipped.

For the best results, use a high-speed blender or hand blender. Chilling the milk slightly before frothing can help you achieve a dense, velvety microfoam similar to what you’d get from a steam wand.

Good cappuccino foam should be thick and creamy — not just bubbly or airy. Foam quality matters more than quantity!

4, Make the Cappuccino

It is as simple as combining the ingredients. Remember that a real cappuccino will have ⅓ espresso, ⅓ steamed milk and ⅓ foam, ideally layered in that order. It might require some trial and error, but you’ll get there eventually!

When pouring the steamed milk into the espresso, use a slow, circular motion. This helps blend the textures smoothly and forms the base for latte art if you’re feeling creative. Then, gently spoon the dense foam on top.

For a flavoured cappuccino, try adding a splash of vanilla extract or a pinch of cinnamon to the milk before heating, or stir a bit of chocolate powder directly into the espresso.

Finish by dusting the top with cocoa powder, cinnamon, or nutmeg — traditional garnishes that will elevate the drink’s presentation in addition to its flavor.

Enjoy your beverage with a slice of home made coffee and walnut cake for a real treat.

Start With the Best Coffee Beans

If you wanted to know how to make cappuccino at home, you have your answer above. It isn’t as difficult as some people imagine, although the effort you put in makes a huge difference.

If you’re serious about making barista-style Coffee, it will require an element of patience and the prospect of making mistakes along the way. Just be sure to buy from us to start your journey the right way.

We roast each of our 70 Coffee types using the latest state-of-the-art Neuhaus Neotec fluidised air-bed system, which primarily uses convection heat transference to roast the beans and you can buy 

The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company then pack them fresh to order – our special way of guaranteeing quality and consistency with every cuppa brewed. What’s not to like?

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Author: Richard Smith

Partner at The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company

Richard Smith is a Tea expert, entrepreneur, and owner of The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company. Part of a family of renowned Tea planters dating back four generations, he was born in Calcutta (Kolkata), India, where he spent his childhood between Tea Estates in Assam and Darjeeling.

In the late 1970s, having accumulated years of knowledge in the industry, Mr Smith and his mother, Janet Smith, moved to Kent, South East England, to establish a Tea business in the village of Pluckley. Their early days of packing Tea Bags by hand from chests of 10,000 prompted the creation of the company’s flagship infusion known as Pluckley Tea. It remains our most popular product today.

Mr Smith, who studied economics at London Polytechnic, has since specialised in over 1,000 types of Loose Leaf Tea – in addition to around 70 varieties of Roast Coffee – from around the world. These are now available at The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company, where everything is still packed by hand and fresh to order, not only to honour tradition but to ensure the utmost quality and consistency.