Did you ever walk into a specialty cafe and have no idea what those drinks on the menu were? We’re here to help! This week we’ll be answering the question “what is a cappuccino?”

What Is a Cappuccino?

A cappuccino is one of the more popular drinks on an espresso menu. Traditionally, it’s 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk and 1/3 frothed milk on top. If you do the math on that, if your espresso is 1.5-2oz and that’s 1/3 of your drink, you’re probably gonna have a 5 to 6 oz drink – at least in a specialty coffee shop.

Cappuccinos were originally named after the Capuchin monks. The color of their robes matched to the color of the drinks so that’s kinda how it got its name.

It’s gonna be real sweet and flavorful because you have that fantastic frothed milk and warmed milk on there with a little bit of coffee aftertaste.

When a Cap isn’t a Cap

In the US, we’ve seen the cappuccino evolve into something that is very different than it’s traditional Italian ancestor. Some larger coffee chains have decided that they can serve a cappuccino in 12, 16 or even 20 oz cups! They differentiate the cappuccino from a latte because a capuccino has more foam on it. You’ll see the barista making your drink use a spoon to scoop out the froth from the pitcher so they get the correct consistency. What you basically get is a cup full of air.

I’d personally, much rather have a cappuccino that’s made the traditional way. If you want a larger, milkier drink, get a latte. Otherwise, enjoy the stronger coffee-type taste of a cappuccino.