Coffee Bean

The most important part of any coffee drink is the coffee used. If a low quality coffee bean is used, the resulting beverage is going to reflect that choice. However, if a high quality coffee bean is selected and ground specifically for espresso use, the coffee beverage will be outstanding.

Columbian coffee beans are considered to be one of the best coffee beans that can be purchased for a decent price. There are other, more expensive coffee beans that can be used.

Milk

Skim milk froths better than other milks and is most often the choice when making cappuccino. If desired, whole milk can be used for the milk portion and a separate cup of skim milk can be frothed for the top layer of the cappuccino.

Water

Many people prefer to use filtered or bottled water for all their coffee making. Some espresso machines even have a built in water filtration system. These filters remove any impurities from the water that could interfere with the flavor of the espresso.

Flavorings

Photo by Nathalie Dulex

Cappuccino doesn’t require the use of flavorings, however, in recent years flavored cappuccinos have become quite popular. Some coffee houses offer flavors to match the season, such as gingerbread cappuccino in the winter. Vanilla and chocolate are also favorite cappuccino flavors.

Keeping Ingredients

Assembling the ingredients for cappuccino is a simple task; however, knowing how much to purchase in order to keep fresh ingredients can be a bit tricky at first. Coffee beans should not be ground until ready to use. This keeps them fresh. Some people say that keeping the coffee beans in the freezer is the best way to keep them fresh.

Regardless of the method of storing the beans, only the amount that would be used in a few days time should be purchased to insure that they do stay fresh. Grind as needed and keep them in an airtight container.

Milk naturally has an expiration date. Make sure to go by this date to prevent using milk that curdles when it is added to the hot liquid or that has a sour taste. There is nothing worse when making a cappuccino than to add the milk only to discover that it has soured.

Freshness should also be a consideration when adding flavorings. Many people keep flavorings on hand for way too long. Because they aren’t used daily, people often forget how long they have actually had them. Using fresh products makes for a much better cappuccino. Fresh peppermint, vanilla extract and chocolates are just some examples.

The ingredient list needed to make cappuccino is not extensive; however, it is easy to see how important using the freshest of ingredients is. Coffee lovers can discern a bad coffee with just one taste and the same is true of cappuccino lovers. Use top quality ingredients to make the best cappuccino possible.

-Sharon Chapman

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