Cappuccino vs Espresso: What are Their Main Differences?
- Roasty Caffeine
- 08/16/2022
Of all the varieties of coffee drinks in the world, the two drinks of cappuccino and espresso are perhaps the most favored. So, in a Espresso vs Cappuccino comparison, what is the difference between them, apart from the addition of steamed milk?
For one thing, both are ground coffee and aroma you’ll love, but cappuccino has flavorful layers of both coffee and milk. Some say that the addition of milk spoils the coffee-flavor, but others prefer the milder taste of cappuccino. It all comes down to personal preference.
There are a few secrets to let you in on, so that you can select your drink with discernment.
Background
Espresso developed first and was probably around in some form from the very first invention of the espresso machine in the 1870s in Italy. It only became popular worldwide after the First World War.
Cappuccino, however, developed in the mid-1920s, when milk was added to espresso. It’s still regarded as a morning-only drink in Italy. Its origins are thought to be shared between Austria and Italy because an early Kapuziner Kafee recipe has a vague resemblance to cappuccino today. Perhaps Italy’s the winner here because the name is Italian.
How many coffee take away cups do you see at the office? Not to mention travel mugs brought from home with steaming, creamy coffee inside. You only have to walk down the street to know we’re living in a society that absolutely adores coffee. Unfortunately, I found it intimidating when I didn’t know all about the different types of coffee, different beans and brewing methods. What will suit MY palate the best? And how do I join a conversation with friends who are coffee aficionados?
Espresso
What is Distinctive About Espresso?
Espresso is a full-bodied beverage with three distinct levels of flavor. It’s served as a black coffee, without the addition of anything apart from some form of sweetener, if the drinker prefers.
A serving is called an espresso shot, and you get four varieties of espresso based drinks:
- Espresso, a single shot of pure coffee
- Doppio, a double shot of the dark coffee
- Lungo, a single shot with extra hot water
- Ristretto, a highly concentrated form of the single shot, with half the water to the same amount of coffee as an espresso
A barista will offer you one of these in a small cup called a demitasse. It may be a small amount of coffee, but its punch is greater than its size. However, the amount of caffeine isn’t greater than a normal cup of coffee, because of the small size of the serving.
Espresso is also the basis of other drinks, like the cappuccino and the latte. But, served on its own, it’s thought to be an amazing coffee.
How is Espresso Made?
Espresso is created when boiling water is forced through tightly-packed grounded coffee beans by an espresso machine. You use 1 oz of coffee grounds, and pulling the shot takes about 20 – 30 seconds.
Note that you ‘pull’ a shot of espresso. The industry uses the term because in the past you had to pull a lever when using specific machines. Nowadays, few do.
The result is a thick coffee concoction. It’s a concentrated shot with a powerful, bold flavor and aroma.
The Layers of Espresso
There are three layers to espresso:
- You have the body of espresso as the bottom layer. It’s darker than the rest.
- The second layer is called the heart, and is slightly lighter in color than the body.
- The final layer is the crema on top. It forms a thin brown foam-layer, thanks to the oils the extraction process produces.
The Layers of Espresso
There are three layers to espresso:
- You have the body of espresso as the bottom layer. It’s darker than the rest.
- The second layer is called the heart, and is slightly lighter in color than the body.
- The final layer is the crema on top. It forms a thin brown foam-layer, thanks to the oils the extraction process produces.
Pros
- Strong, bold flavor
- Thicker texture
- Less than the usual amount of caffeine than regular coffee
- It has a delicious crema on top that marks the flavor
Cons
- Slightly bitter
- The amount may be too small if you enjoy large cups of brew
Cappuccino
What is Distinctive About Cappuccino?
Cappuccino is also made with ground coffee, and is basically an espresso-based drink with steamed milk and milk foam in a ratio of 1:1:1. In other words, one third espresso, one third steamed milk, and one third foam. This gives it a creamy texture and flavor.
The extraction process for the beans is exactly the same as all other coffees. Again, it all depends on how finely the beans are ground.
How is Cappuccino made?
With traditional cappuccino, you pull a shot of espresso, which is about 1 ounce. You than add some steamed milk, and finally, you foam your milk and add it to the cup. The result is about an 8 oz coffee drink.
There are a couple of varieties of cappuccino:
- The method described above is called wet.
- A dry cappuccino on the other hand has more foam than milk.
- Another alternative is to add whipped cream on top instead of the foam.
Pros
- It’s creamy
- Cappuccino has a foamy texture
- It’s milder than espresso
- Easier on the tongue, because it’s less bitter
Cons
- Flavor is too weak for some
- The milk affects the coffee flavor
Competition Between Espresso & Cappuccino
You may be wondering whether there’s an espresso versus cappuccino competition. For most people, the preferred option depends on taste, but also on the time of day.
So, let’s take a look at the differences between the two, and determine a winner for each of the features.
Differences Between Cappuccino & Espresso
| Espresso | Cappuccino | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Dark, black coffee | White, milky coffee |
| Flavor | Strong, bold flavor that’s slightly thick in texture | Creamy texture and flavor, especially with whipped cream on top |
| Layering | Has three layers: body, heart and crema | Has three layers: espresso, hot milk and milk froth |
| Top Layer | Top layer (crema) is created from coffee oils and air bubbles | Top layer is created by frothing the milk with a frothing machine |
| Taste | Slightly bitter aftertaste | Milky Taste |
| Serving | Small serving size (1 oz) | Larger serving (6-8 oz) |
The Best Feature of Each
The best feature of Espresso is its strong flavor, whereas the best feature of cappuccino is its creamy, velvety texture.
The Bottom Line
Cappuccino and espresso have loved the world over. The coffees may have the same basic ingredients, and the method of extracting coffee from the coffee beans are similar, but they have different tastes, and different functions.
The bold, confident aromas of the espresso may be best for:
- Waking up in the morning
- An after-dinner drink
- When you want a quick coffee break
The cappuccino on the other hand is best for:
- Occasions where you want milder flavors, such as mid-morning coffee
- The steamed milk taste goes very well with biscuits or cake at any time of day
- Time spent chatting and lingering over a cup of coffee with friends because it’s large enough to sip slowly
So, in the end, it’s up to you. Your preferences and situations may call for cappuccino or espresso at different times. The moment will determine which you choose. But it’s clear why people love them the world over!