What Is the Difference Between Cappuccino and Espresso?

If you’re a regular drinker of caffeinated beverages such as a cappuccino or espresso, you may or may not be able to tell the difference between the two. However, an avid drinker will spot the differences immediately. Some people like cappuccino because it’s light and pleasant tasting, while others prefer espressos because of their strong aroma, striking smell, and feisty taste. Furthermore, espresso doesn’t have sugar in its composition and it’s not that foamy as cappuccino drinks. Which of the two is your favorite? Let’s analyze the both to better understand the differences.

Espresso

Espresso uses the same coffee bean type and roasting method like American coffee. When an espresso is created, the coffee that is used has to be ground up a lot finer than American coffee. The caffeinated beverage is especially popular in Italy, Portugal and other parts of Europe. In order to give an espresso a bolder flavor, Arabica blends and dark roasted beans are used, which are high-end, high-quality coffee beans. The brewing process of the drink is what sets it apart from cappuccinos.

The brewing process for espresso is unique. It is made from a brewing process that is known as pressurized brewing.  This type of brewing makes the beverage burst with flavor. During the process, coffee grounds are compressed, and hot water is pushed through. It is an extraction process that is often referred to as espresso, which is how the caffeinated beverage received its name. All of the essential factors, such as correct temperature, time, and pressure is monitored and maintained by an espresso machine. For an exquisite taste, an espresso should never be mixed with cream or milk.

Cappuccino

The cappuccino is a favorite in Italy during morning hours. It is created by mixing espresso, milk, and steamed milk foam together. Using a steam wand, which is a part of the espresso machine, the milk is frothed and conformed into micro-foam which has more volume than original milk. In order to successfully make a cappuccino, you will need to equally mix the milk and espresso first. Once you have done that, pour micro-foam over the espresso. First, pour steamed milk into a cup and add the espresso. As soon as that step is completed, place frothed milk on top of the beverage. Instead of leaving the drink plain, like the espresso, you can sprinkle cocoa or cinnamon powder on the top of a cappuccino for added flavor.

Contrary to popular belief, a cappuccino is not just a grand mixture of espresso and steamed milk. If you’re looking for a way to maintain or lose weight, using soy or skimmed milk might see like a perfect alternative. If you want to explore different tastes, try different flavored syrups, such as vanilla or cinnamon cappuccinos. It’s a great way to add more flavor. Unlike an espresso, which is an extremely pungent and aromatic beverage, a cappuccino is up to 4 times lighter in concentration.