The Bottom Line: Quick facts about cappuccino!
The Full Story:
- The word ‘cappuccino’ came from a religious order? Namely, the Capuchin friars, who brought Catholicism back to Europe during the Reformation. Its Italian name came from the long, pointed cowl, or cappuccino, derived from cappuccio, “hood,” that was worn as part of the order’s clothing (or what they call a ‘habit’). In Italian, cappuccino went on to describe espresso coffee mixed or topped with steamed milk or cream, so called because the color of the coffee resembled the color of the habit of a Capuchin friar.
- Cappuccino became very popular during and after World War II, but the first use of cappuccino in Englishis recorded in 1948 in a story about San Francisco. It was during this time, cappuccino machines were improved and many restaurants began serving the beverage.
- Cappuccinos are one of the most difficult espresso-based beverages to make properly…because attaining the correct ratio of foam requires close attention while steaming the milk.
- The United States is the leading consumer of coffee in the world, drinking 400 million cups of coffee per day.
- Have some respect. In Italy, the average barista is 48-years-old and it’s a respected profession, unlike the cool baristas in the States, who are usually 20-somethings.
- Kopi Luwak is considered to be the rarest and most expensive coffee in the world. Grown in Indonesia, and about $50 a cup – or $400 a pound – you might not want to know how exactly the bean is produced, but click here if you want the full story.