The Story Of The Cappuccino

Cappuccino is a word I have heard for a long time but had not fully grasped its meaning. Most of the time I associated it with a very expensive cup of coffee that only a select few could afford to drink so today I ask myself these questions: What is cappuccino? Where does it come from? How is it made? Why should it be my drink of choice? Cappuccino, according to a reliable source is a coffee drink that is layered. You are probably wondering where I got the word layered from; well look at how it is made. Espresso coffee is placed in the bottom of a porcelain cup which helps to keep it hot, then hot milk is poured on top of the espresso and it tops itself off with steamed milk foam, so I call it layers. Espresso, just in case you have forgotten, is a coffee that has been ground into a fine powder and infused with pressurized hot water to produce a concentrated coffee that is used to make drinks like cappuccino. There are a couple of schools of thought as to the origin of Cappuccino but the most valid one reveals that this became the name for a beverage that is associated with an order of Franciscan Monks founded by a man named Matteo da Bascio. It is said that the word cappuccino comes from the Italian word for hood; in particular the hood or capuccio which was worn by monks known as the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. Their space in the world was a place in Italy which is where cappuccino has its roots. Cappuccino did not really become a full fledged American beverage until the 1990's when coffee bars were established. It wasn't long before coffee bars became popular and variations of the original cappuccino began to appear. The drink was altered by adding ice or some other ingredient and given a unique name to distinguish them from each other. Today there are many drinks calling themselves Cappuccino - some are from pre-mixed powders processed through machines and made to resemble the real thing but the proof is in the taste. Older Italians and early cappuccino lovers will tell you that to be a good cup of cappuccino it has to go through the high pressured hot water treatment and be made by an experienced Barista to satisfy them. If you would rather have a go yourself, then try the VideoJug way. At this website, that have a free film with an expert Barista showing you how to make the perfect Cappuccino, enabling you to try it yourself. Am I convinced this is the drink for me? No, not on a daily basis, but if I were to have a cup of coffee once or twice in the year, then this is a form worth exploring.