What’s The Right Cappuccino Ratio? The Myth Is Debunked

What’s the right cappuccino ratio to make great coffee? We often make a cappuccino at home after work but until very recently I was making cappuccino the wrong way; it wasn’t the same as you order at a cafe. I did research on the ratio; you’ll be surprised by the finding. Stick around, in this article, I’m going to share with you some top tips and tricks on how to make great cappuccino every single time. 

What is the actual cappuccino ratio? 

A great rule of thumb for doing the cappuccino ration right is: 1:1:1. You need 3 equal parts of espresso, steamed milk and foam. This way, you’ll make a cappuccino with the right balance of the distinct espresso flavour blended with milk that adds a subtle sweet spin to your beverage.

What is a cappuccino? 

For starters, a cappuccino is an espresso-based coffee with frothed (or steamed) milk. Where does the name come from? It comes from Capuchin friars and it refers to the colour of their habits. Over time it has become one of the most popular coffees, in fact, it’s the sixth most popular coffee and it’s not a surprise as it’s a great beverage for any time of day. 

FYI, the 7 most popular coffee drinks are: 

1. Espresso
2. Latte
3. Black Coffee
4. Mocha
5. Americano 
6. Cappuccino 
7. Flat White

How to make a cappuccino the right way

Let’s go over the steps of making a delicious cappuccino. 

How to pull an espresso shot for cappuccino

There are a few ways you can pull a perfect espresso shot. 

Espresso machine: the first way is to use an espresso machine by adding ground coffee to the portafilter and freshwater (preferably filtered or bottled) to the water tank respectively. The trick when using a Breville espresso machine is to do the pressure (or any other espresso brewer) right which should be around 9 bar, but this varies; it depends on the coffee machine brand. Make sure you check the manual booklet that came with your machine; it should specify the ideal pressure for making espresso.

Moka pot: the other way is to simply use a Moka pot which is inexpensive to buy, easy to use and it makes great espresso. All you need to do is add coffee grounds to the filter, add water just below the tiny hole on it (it’s used to force steam out of the gadget), pop it on a hot stove and you’re good to go. 

How to froth milk for your cappuccino

This step will make or break your cappuccino. 

The good thing is you have options to froth your milk for your cappuccino.

Espresso machine wand: if you have your own espresso machine and it has a wand attached to it you can use it to froth perfect foam. Turn the machine on and make sure there’s water in the tank. Turn on the wand and let it blow steam for a few moments to let it get the right temperature. Submerge the steam into the milk for a minute and let it work its magic. 

How can you tell if the milk is ready? It should look even with small bubbles in it. 

Other ways of frothing: if you don’t have an espresso machine there are plenty of ways of frothing milk such as using a French press.

A bunch of top tips

Let’s have a look at some top tips that will help you elevate your cappuccino:

• No matter what gadget or machine you’re going to use for frothing it’s wise to use cold milk as it makes more even foam.
• Right after pulling the espresso shot, get on with the milk; when you leave a gap between the 2 tasks, the espresso loses some of its flavour and aroma
• It’s important to let the wand blow steam to hit the right temperature (100°F), otherwise, your milk will curdle
• Full-fat milk is a better option than semi-skimmed and skimmed milk for frothing
• Another great milk option for frothing is oat milk
• Almond milk ISN’T the best option for frothing 

Similar coffees to cappuccino

Are there any similar coffees to cappuccino? 

Yes, there are a few coffees that are espresso-based and blended with milk. Let’s have a look at some of them.

Latte

Latte has been a pretty popular coffee and it’s almost identical to cappuccino. The major difference between the two has to do with the milk amount. While the coffee/milk ratio for a cappuccino is 1:1:1, for a latte the ratio is 1:2. Practically this means the amount of steamed milk is double as much as the coffee (and as you might have guessed there’s no foam in a latte).  

Macchiato 

This is another milky espresso-based brew. But the portion of milk is just a tiny bit that sits on top of your coffee and adds a subtle sweetness. Have ever tried iced macchiato?

Mocha 

Mocha it’s also similar to a cappuccino, but the main difference is that you need to add chocolate to your espresso – it’s no surprise chocolate lovers are big fans of it. 

Let’s wrap it up

Coffee is a unique beverage, delicious and adorable. For that matter, it’s worth making the right way and when it comes to cappuccino doing the ratio right is probably the most important bit. Go ahead and read about the main differences between a cappuccino and americano to know more about the right americano ratio.

FAQ

Do you have a burning question on the topic? Let’s have a look at some questions that often come up. 

Is cappuccino bad for you? 

The answer is: it depends.

It’s no secret that an excess of coffee consumption isn’t good for your health. In fact, we should not exceed 400mg of caffeine a day which translates into 2-3 cups of coffee per day. 

Can you make cappuccino without using an espresso machine? 

Yes, you can, in fact, you can use a Moka pot which makes great espresso. I go over in detail how to go about it further in this article. 

How much milk is in a 2 shot cappuccino?

If you want to make a 2 shot cappuccino it means you’ll need to double the amount of steamed milk as well as the foam. In this case, you’ll need 4-6 ounces of milk.