By having the right tools and knowing the proper order in which to complete the cappuccino steps will help make you an excellent cappuccino barista. Here is what you need to know to make a perfect cup of cappuccino.
Tools You Need
There a few important tools you need to make the perfect cappuccino:
- an espresso machine with a milk steaming wand
- if you do not have a milk steaming wand then you need a milk frother
- a coffee grinder with an espresso grind setting
- highest grade of espresso beans
- whole organic milk
- espresso coffee tapper
- stainless steel milk frothing container
- a ceramic espresso cup that holds six to eight ounces
- filtered water
- sugar if you desire
- a wet rag
- a dry rag
Ingredients You Need
These ingredients are sort of a repeat of what was said in the previous list, but it is never harmful to be thorough. There is also an expansion on the ingredients for information sake.
- whole organic milk
- you may use other milks, but the perfect cappuccino is made with whole milk
- highest grade of whole expresso beans
- filtered spring water is the best to have in your expresso machine
- finely ground cane sugar or white sugar if you must
The Perfect Process
Remove the espresso puck from the espresso machine. Clean it out from the previous coffee making experience. Run it under water and wipe it dry. Grind fresh espresso beans in a grinder and fill your puck up with the ground espresso beans. Slide the excess off the top. Take your tamper and stamp down on the espresso beans and then turn.
You want a firm compact espresso flat surface. You will then put the puck back on the machine. Place your cappuccino cup under the spout and then turn the machine on. While the coffee is coming out, fill he stainless steel milk carafe halfway with the organic whole milk.
Slowly submerge the steam wand into the milk so the wand both steam the milk and creates a froth on top. The milk process takes no more than a couple of minutes. You do not want big bubbles.
1/3 of each
Once there is a nice coat of milk froth on top tap the stainless-steel carafe on the counter. This will eliminate and major bubbles that did occur. You want the milk froth and the regular milk to mix.
When you pour the milk into your espresso, the proportion should be in thirds. It will turn out 1/3 espresso, 1/3 milk, 1/3 foam. You will pour the milk first and top off with the foam, you can add sugar to the top for taste. You can also put a teaspoon of sugar in the espresso cup before you pour the espresso.
More Cappuccino Tips
You may think you can choose just any old coffee cup size, but you really want to use a small espresso cup that hold about six to eight ounces. You also want to put hot water in the cup while you are preparing the coffee grounds in the puck.
Clean all your Tools
You always want to clean everything on your espresso machine after you use it. When you keep wet and dry rags handy, you can use them to clean each section of the machine you use. You will wipe out the puck before putting new espresso beans in it.
Then you need to wipe the place where the puck screws into the machine. You will also wipe the milk frothing wand when you are finished frothing the milk.
Making milk foam with a Milk Frother
If you have a separate milk frother, then simply follow the directions of your milk frother. You will essentially pour six ounces of milk into the milk frother. You will then turn the milk frother on while you are making the espresso on your espresso machine.
Now your cappuccino is ready to drink. A perfect cappuccino is only perfected by making another perfect cappuccino to share with a friend.
Watch This Video Tutorial on how to make the perfect cappuccino
