ESPRESSO VS CAPPUCCINO: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

Espresso and cappuccino are both popular coffee beverages, with the former building upon the latte.

Espresso is a concentrated coffee – no additions or embellishments. A cappuccino uses espresso for the base and tops it with steamed and frothed milk for a creamy but light texture. 

An espresso features fine layers of flavor and aroma, and some hardcore coffee connoisseurs feel the addition of milk destroys its purity. Of course, this is a matter of opinion, and this article will help you form your own.

What Is Espresso?

Espresso is a concentrated shot of coffee made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee beans under high pressure. When prepared correctly, with the right coffee grounds, recipe, and technique, an espresso shot has a bold flavor, rich mouthfeel, and full body. It should have a dense layer of brown foam on top called the crema.

Espresso is prepared using an espresso machine capable of generating the high pressure needed for proper extraction, either via a pump or lever. It can be made with any coffee, but medium and dark roasted coffee beans are most common.

History

Espresso originated in Italy to meet consumer demands for faster coffee service. Angelo Moriondo invented a steam-driven espresso coffee machine in 1884, which was subsequently improved by Luigi Bezzera in 1901. These new coffee machines had extraction pressures of less than 2 bars, so they made coffee similar to a Moka pot – not quite real espresso.

Modern espresso was born in the 1930s when Achille Gaggia developed a machine that could achieve 9 bars of pressure (1). Espresso culture soon spread throughout Italy and around the world.

What Is A Cappuccino?

A traditional Italian cappuccino is an espresso-based drink that combines espresso, steamed milk, and milk froth in equal parts. It can be made with a single or double shot of espresso, but double shots are typical in modern cafes.

A well-made cappuccino has a pronounced coffee flavor, a gentle milky sweetness, and a texture perfectly balanced between creamy and airy.

You can customize a cappuccino by altering the one-to-one ratio of steamed milk to froth. A wet cappuccino has a higher proportion of steamed milk, while a dry cappuccino has more froth. A  bone-dry cappuccino has only frothy milk and espresso.

History

The first cappuccino is credited to the famed coffee houses of 18th-century Vienna, where it was called a Kapuziner (2). The name arose because the drink’s color matched the robes of local capuchin friars. The Italian cappuccino came along about a century later. However, both drinks were little more than coffee with cream and sugar.

The modern cappuccino only arose following the invention of the espresso machine and steam wand in the mid-20th century.  

What’s The Difference Between Cappuccino And Espresso?

The difference between a cappuccino and an espresso is obvious at a glance. A cappuccino adds steamed milk and milk foam to an espresso, yielding two coffee drinks with different appearances, aromas, tastes, and textures. Here’s a more detailed explanation.

• Espresso: The espresso body has a rich, dark brown color, and the dense light brown foam atop the espresso is called the crema. A serving of espresso is small. It usually measures between 1 and 3 ounces and is served in a small cup called a demitasse.
• Cappuccino: The cappuccino is a larger drink, typically 5 or 6 ounces, with a silkier texture. It is served in a bigger mug with layers of steamed milk and froth. 

How To Drink

The way you enjoy these coffee-based drinks is also different.

• Espresso: A shot of espresso is usually consumed quickly, in just a few sips. If you wait too long, the drink gets cold and the crema dissipates.
• Cappuccino: A cappuccino offers a chance to savor the experience. Many coffee lovers enjoy the milk foam with a spoon before sipping the creamy beverage.

Ingredients and Preparation

Espresso

An espresso is consumed as it is. It never decorated, whereas cappuccino has various topping options

• Ingredients: Espresso beans and water only
• Beans: Ideally dark roast. Some bags of beans are specifically roasted for espresso-brewing.
• Grind: Fine. I highly suggest grinding fresh coffee beans.
• Pressure: Real espressos are pulled with 9-bars of pressure.
• Ratio: The ideal coffee-to-water ratio for espresso is 1:2. This means that if you use 20g of ground espresso beans, the yield should be around 40g of espresso.
• Gear: Making an espresso requires using a good espresso machine.
• Add-ons: None

Cappuccino

Espresso is one of the main ingredients of cappuccino. In North America, some modern coffee shops pour latte art when preparing a cappuccino. Although, this is considered a departure from the Italian original. In Europe, cappuccinos are often topped with whipped cream. A cappuccino may also be sprinkled with cinnamon or cocoa powder.

• Ingredients: Espresso beans and water for the espresso, milk, and sweetener
• Beans: Same with espresso.
• Grind: Same with espresso.
• Pressure: Same with espresso.
• Ratio: The cappuccino has a 1:1:1 espresso-steamed milk-milk froth ratio.
• Gear: You’ll need an espresso machine with a steamer and frother to make a cappuccino. In case your espresso machine doesn’t have a built-in steam wand or frother, you can get a one.
• Add-ons: Can be topped with whipped cream, cinnamon powder, or cocoa powder.

Is A Cappuccino Stronger Than An Espresso?

Flavor

• Espresso: Has a much stronger coffee flavor than a cappuccino because espresso is nothing more than highly concentrated coffee.
• Cappuccino: Has a more balanced flavor profile, with the bitterness of espresso mellowed and sweetened by the steamed milk.

Caffeine

A cappuccino and espresso have the same caffeine content, as long as both are made with the same type and amount of coffee.

A double espresso shot has approximately 80 mg of caffeine, as does a cappuccino made with a double shot. A cappuccino topped with cocoa powder or chocolate shavings might have slightly more due to the amount of caffeine in chocolate.

The caffeine content of regular coffee varies considerably depending on the beans, brewing method, and recipe. A good estimate is 100 mg of caffeine per 8-ounce cup. So a cup of coffee usually has more of a caffeine kick than a cappuccino.

Calories

Now, let’s talk about each drink’s calories.

• Cappuccino: Because it contains milk, cappuccinos can pack around 120 calories per serving due to the milk.
• Espresso: A pure shot of espresso can have as little as 1-2 calories per ounce.

When Should I Drink Espresso Vs Cappuccino?

In Italian coffee culture, a cappuccino is considered a morning beverage – never to be ordered after 11 a.m. Some say this is because a cappuccino is a sort of meal supplement, to be enjoyed with the typically small Italian breakfast. Others believe the high dairy content of a cappuccino can upset digestion when consumed late in the day (3). 

Italians favor macchiatos in the afternoon and espresso as an after-dinner drink.

That said, I suggest you drink espresso and cappuccino to suit your personal taste. I couldn’t drink an after-dinner espresso without being up all night, and I consider a cappuccino a lovely mid-afternoon pick-me-up. 

If you’re worried about digesting dairy, these days, it’s easy to find a cappuccino made from oat or almond milk.

Why Is Espresso Cheaper Than Cappuccino?

There are two reasons that espresso is cheaper than cappuccino. First, it requires fewer ingredients; you’re not paying for milk. The second reason is perhaps less obvious. It requires less time and skill to prepare espresso. 

Properly steaming and pouring milk to achieve the necessary microfoam and froth layers of a perfect cappuccino is one of the more challenging tasks for baristas. When you buy a cappuccino, you’re not just paying for milk. You’re paying for barista training, expertise, and time – all things a coffee shop needs to factor into its bottom line.

The Verdict

In the end, there’s really no espresso vs cappuccino competition. They are two of the most popular coffee drinks for good reasons, and both have their time and place.

You should order an espresso if…

• You want a bold coffee flavor
• You want a fast hit of black coffee
• You want a less expensive drink

You should order a cappuccino if…

• You prefer a milder coffee flavor
• You want a creamier, more texturally rich drink
• You want a larger drink to sip and savor