National Cappuccino Day!

We have many days devoted to coffee even when it isn’t a National or International Day. However, 8 November is reserved for ‘National Cappuccino Day’.

What is National Cappuccino Day?

National Cappuccino Day is celebrated each year on November 8. It is one of those days ‘invented’ to create awareness and provide an excuse for enjoying coffee – specifically cappuccino. 

I can’t understand why anyone would need a special day to enjoy coffee when you can enjoy coffee every day! 

However, I do understand the desire to promote and market coffee. It can certainly help all the cafes generate more sales!

Do all countries celebrate or have a National Cappuccio Day? Well, I’m not sure. I know that the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada celebrate National Cappuccino Day. I guess that all countries would jump on the bandwagon to help increase sales of coffee!

What is a Cappuccino?

A cappuccino is an espresso coffee topped with frothed hot milk or cream, and often flavored with cinnamon. It differs from a flat white, which does not have frothed milk. 

A cappuccino is made with three equal parts, espresso, steamed milk, and foam milk.

A latte is larger and has a milder coffee to milk ratio with just a tiny bit of foam. 

Where does the word Cappuccino come from?

Unlike other coffees, cappuccino does not get its name from its preparation method but from the way it looks.

This is unlike most other coffees such as espresso and macchiato. However, like other coffees, its name originates in Italy. 

No one seems to know how the word cappuccino was invented. Etymonline.com suggests that the name arose about 1948 and was used to describe the color of the drink which was similar to the color of the hooded habit worn by Capuchin Friars in Itlay and elsewhere. 

Many other coffee websites say that the Capuchin Friars made their coffee with milk and froth like the cappuccino we have today.

Today’s cappuccino is made from espresso and espresso wasn’t ‘invented’ until the 19th Century. A practical espresso machine didn’t arrive until about the 1940s invented by Achille Gaggia.

This is not to say that the Capuchin Friars didn’t drink coffee or even experimented with adding milk to coffee. But using espresso and foam or crema too? Not.

During the 1990s cappuccino was widely available in the USA as many coffee houses began to spring up. 

From the 1990s to today cappuccino is everywhere including the large coffee chains.

Some may say that a cappuccino takes espresso to another level of taste and flavor. I’m not about to spoil anyone’s preference. If you like it then you drink it! 

Italians usually drink their cappuccino in the morning. However, it can be drunk any time of the day in the rest of the world.

Here is a question: How should you order more than one cappuccino from your fave barista? Let’s say you wanted to order two of the drink.

Well, if you are Italian you would use the plural of the word which is Cappuccini and your order would be

“Due cappuccini per favore!”

However, in the States and other English-speaking countries, you would probably use the word cappuccinos. 

“Two cappuccinos, please!”

What to do on National Cappuccino Day

Wondering what to do on National Cappuccino Day? How can you celebrate National Cappuccino Day? That’s an easy task just drink a cappuccino! Here are some other ideas…

• Visit your favorite coffee shop to treat yourself and enjoy a nice hot and delicious cup of cappuccino
• Visit your favorite coffee shop to treat your friends or family to a nice hot and delicious cup of cappuccino
• While you’re there, give them a shout-out using #CappuccinoDay to post on social media.
• Read up on your coffee history while enjoying a delicious cup.
• Read some posts on goodcoffeeplace.com 
• Look out for some Cappuccino Day deals and your local cafe or the big coffee chains.
• Go online and search for some FREE cappuccino deals

What Do You Need to Make a Cappuccino?

Here is the basic equipment needed for you to make a cappuccino at home is as follows

• Espresso machine. We have reviewed some good espresso machines and a good start is shown below
• A stainless steel frothing jug
• Spoon (stainless steel)
• Thermometer 
• Your coffee cup or mug!
• Your favorite coffee beans or ground coffee
• Hand or automatic coffee grinding machine if you start with coffee beans
• A balance to weigh your ground coffee
• Milk (your fave cow or plant milk). However, high-fat milk usually makes a cappuccino look and taste better

Equipment You Need to Make A Cappuccino

Espresso Machine

Stainless Steel Frothing Jug

Thermometer

Make a Cappuccino At Home

You are all set up. You have the equipment. Now all you need is the time, expertise, and patience to make yourself (or family and friends) a quality cappuccino.

You need to know the following…

• Cappuccino is made from a good espresso, so click here to learn How to Make the Perfect Espresso before you continue with the next steps of making your cappuccino.
• The quality of your espresso impacts the taste of your cappuccino
• The quality of your espresso depends upon many factors and obviously includes your choice of coffee beans and how you grind your coffee
• You would use your own favorite freshly roasted coffee beans
• Pull either a single or double-shot espresso into your cup depending on your desired strength of the drink
• The ‘secret’ of a good-looking cappuccino is ‘silky milk, and the white foam top layers. The milk makes this drink what it is! You can use the steam wand on your espresso machine or a separate milk frother
• The consistency of the foam depends on the milk fat, so high-fat milk usually gives yields a better drink
• You start with cold milk. and use the steam wand to heat milk to about 65 C or 150 F. Hence the need for a thermometer 
• If you continually raise the steam wand in the jug it will create a rich, foamy texture
• Pour the steamed milk over the espresso
• Layer some of the froth on top of the milk
• Dust with cinnamon or chocolate

Cappuccino isn’t the easiest coffee to prepare so if you want some professional instruction then try out the Online Ninja Barista Course. 

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