How to make a cappuccino

The cappuccino was invented in the 17th century and is the world's most famous espresso-based drink. Here's how to 'stretch' the milk and make your own cappuccino at home with an espresso machine.

How to make a cappuccino

The cappuccino was invented in the 17th century and is the world's most famous espresso-based drink. Here's how to 'stretch' the milk and make your own cappuccino at home with an espresso machine.

Ingredients & Equipment

You will need:
tooltip icon

Don’t have scales?

Aim to pull your espresso for 30 seconds. 

Cappuccino ingredients
  • 36ml (36g) espresso
  • 110ml milk – this will increase once stretched

How to make a cappuccino

The cappuccino was invented in the 17th century and is the world's most famous espresso-based drink. Here's how to 'stretch' the milk and make your own cappuccino at home with an espresso machine.

You will need:
Cappuccino ingredients
  • 36ml (36g) espresso
  • 110ml milk – this will increase once stretched
tooltip icon

Don’t have scales?

Aim to pull your espresso for 30 seconds. 

Ingredients
Recipe
Cappuccino ingredients
  • 36ml (36g) espresso
  • 110ml milk – this will increase once stretched
tooltip icon

Don’t have scales?

Aim to pull your espresso for 30 seconds. 

You will need:
Step 1

Make sure your machine is clean and free from leftover coffee. 

Step 2

Grind your coffee fine.

Step 3

Fill your basket with 18g coffee. If you don’t have scales, aim to fill the basket to the top.

Step 4

Make sure your coffee is distributed evenly in the basket. If you don’t have a distribution tool, tap the side of the portafilter.

Step 5

Use your tamper to apply pressure to the coffee.

Step 6

Purge your espresso machine.

Step 7

Insert your portafilter into the group head of your machine.

Step 8

Put your cup on the scales and underneath where the water falls.

Step 9

Start the water flow.

Step 10

Keep this flowing until you have 36ml (36g) of espresso. If you don’t have scales, aim to pull your espresso for 30 seconds.

Step 11

Purge your steam wand.

Step 12

Fill your milk jug with around 110ml of milk.

Step 13

Tilt your milk jug and put the steam wand just below the surface of the milk.

Step 14

Turn your steam wand on. You should start to hear a hissing sound.

Step 15

As the volume of the milk increases, gradually pull up your jug to make sure the wand is just below the surface. Turn the wand off when the jug’s hot to the touch.

Step 16

Tap your jug on a side, hold your mug at a slight angle and pour a slow, thin stream of milk over your espresso.

Step 17

Wipe your steam wand and purge.

Step 18

Enjoy your cappuccino.



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