cappuccino

Cappuccino is an Italian coffee drink prepared with espresso, hot milk, and steamed-milk foam. A cappuccino as such differs from a caffè latte in that it is prepared with much less steamed or textured milk than the caffè latte, with the total of espresso and milk/foam making up between approximately 150 ml and 180 ml (5 and 6 fluid ounces). The European cappuccino often differs in volume from the version found in US commercial coffee chains, as the coffee chain cappuccino is more often served as a 12 oz drink. A cappuccino is traditionally served in a porcelain cup, which has far better heat-retention characteristics than glass or paper. The foam on top of the cappuccino acts as an insulator and helps retain the heat of the liquid, allowing it to stay hotter longer.



Besides a shot of espresso, the most important element in preparing a cappuccino is the texture and temperature of the milk. When a barista steams the milk for a cappuccino, microfoam is created by introducing very tiny bubbles of air into the milk, giving the milk a velvety texture and sweetness. The traditional cappuccino consists of an espresso, on which the barista pours the hot foamed milk, resulting in a 2 cm (¾ inch) thick milk foam on top. Variations of the mixtures are usually called cappuccino chiaro (white cappuccino, also known as a wet cappuccino) with more milk than normal, and cappuccino scuro (dark cappuccino, also known as a dry cappuccino) with less milk (and typically more foam) than normal.


創設於1525年以後的聖方濟会的修士都穿著褐色道袍，头戴一顶尖尖帽子，传到意大利时，当地人给他们的服饰取名「Cappuccino」，此字的意大利文源自头巾(即Cappuccio)，指宽松长袍和小尖帽。