With so many espresso options, it can be easy to get them mixed up.
There’s no doubt many coffee aficionados adore espresso based drinks like cappuccinos and americanos. But what’s the difference between the two?
In this post, I’ll compare cappuccino vs americano, the key differences between the coffee drinks, and how to make your favorite coffee drink. Let’s get started.
What is a Cappuccino?
A cappuccino is an espresso-based coffee that is brewed with milk, topped with foamed milk, and then finished off by topping the drink with a bit of cocoa powder. This beverage originated in Italy as “caffè crema.”
What’s so great about cappuccinos?
Cappucchino drinkers love their drinks for several reasons: they are delicious, frothy, creamy & sweetened just right! People also typically enjoy drinking them because it isn’t too strong or bitter like other coffees can be at times. Finally – let’s not forget – most people appreciate how aesthetically pleasing these beverages tend to come out due to the froth on top which makes a perfect design (it almost looks like a flower). What do you think?
What Does a Cappuccino Taste Like?
A cappuccino tastes like a rich, creamy latte with just a touch of espresso. They are known for having a sweet taste and for being very low in bitterness.
How to Make a Cappuccino
To make a cappaccino, you’ll need some basic supplies including an espresso machine, milk frother or steam wand for heating the milk, a glass of water to clean off your steaming equipment between uses (this keeps it from getting clogged), and an espresso cup.
First step: Fill the portafilter with one scoop of ground coffee per shot that you want in your drink. You can always adjust this ratio for stronger or weaker coffee.
Second step: Pull the espresso shot into your cup and take a quick smell to see how it smells (this is called “the crema”). You’ll want approximately 20 seconds worth of crema on top before continuing. If you don’t get enough, let another shot brew using less water (this will make it stronger). If you get too much crema, brew another shot using more water (this will be weaker but still taste good in the cappuccino).
Third step: Pour or steam your milk. You’ll want to start by heating up two ounces of whole milk per serving if you’re making Italian style drinks like a latte or cappuccino. If you’re making a latte macchiato, then use one ounce of milk for each serving instead.
Fourth step: Froth the milk on top of your espresso shots by first pouring it into a glass and heating it up with steam from either an espresso machine’s steam wand, a handheld frother, or even an Aerolatte steamer.
After heating the milk, pour it back into your container and twist off the steam so that you can begin frothing (this is called “the microfoam”). You’ll know when to stop pouring because there should be tiny bubbles throughout your milk along with a nice foam on top of it.
Fifth step: Pour the milk on top of your espresso shots and enjoy!
What is a Wet Cappuccino?
A wet cappuccino is similar to a cappuccino but this coffee drink combines coffee with steamed milk instead of frothed milk. This means your drink will have less milk foam compared to a traditional cappuccino.
A wet cappuccino has a more intense coffee flavor and is ideal for people that like a stronger cup of coffee.
What is a Dry Cappuccino?
Just as there is a wet cappuccino that contains more steamed milk and less milk foam, there is also a dry cappuccino that contains less steamed milk and more milk foam.
A dry cappuccino has a more enhanced coffee taste that is less watered down by the milk.
What is an Americano?
An americano is an espresso drink that is brewed with hot water instead of milk. It has a very similar flavor to an espresso shot but it’s missing the foamed milk on top.
What’s so great about Americanos?
People love americanos because they’re easy-to-make, delicious & full of caffeine! If you’re someone who typically likes drinks like drip coffee or black tea but wants something more bitter and flavorful, this might be your go-to beverage. Just keep in mind – if you don’t want to mess up your machine by brewing straight shots through it without pulling any liquid out (which can make the pump run dry), then consider buying some sort of adapter for making these beverages at home. What do think?
What Does an Americano Taste Like?
An americano tastes like a drip coffee with just a bit of espresso in it. When compared to other popular coffee drinks like an Americano tastes more bitter, strong & flavorful.
How to Make an Americano
To make an americano, you’ll need the same supplies as mentioned above including an espresso machine, milk frother or steam wand for heating the milk, a glass of water to clean off your steaming equipment between uses (this keeps it from getting clogged), and an espresso cup.
First step: Fill the portafilter with one scoop of ground coffee per shot that you want in your drink. You can always adjust this ratio for stronger or weaker coffee.
Second step: Pull the espresso shot into your cup and take a quick smell to see how it smells (this is called “the crema”). You’ll want approximately 20 seconds worth of crema on top before continuing. If you don’t get enough crema, let another shot brew using less water (this will make it stronger). If you get too much crema, brew another shot using more water (this will be weaker but still taste good in the americano).
Third step: Pour hot water slowly into your cup to fill it up. After doing so, stir the drink with a spoon and enjoy!
What’s the Difference Between a Cappuccino and an Americano?
The key differences between a cappuccino and americano are that an americano is brewed with hot water instead of milk and that it has less foam on top. An Italian cappuccino typically only contains two shots of espresso, while an Americano can contain up to three or more depending on the person making it.
Related: Iced Macchiato vs Iced Latte: What’s the Difference?
Americano vs Cup of Coffee
As you can see, an americano is very similar to a standard cup of coffee – but there are a couple of differences.
For example, an americano has less caffeine because it has less coffee in it than a standard cup of joe. It also contains more water which means the caffeine gets diluted and spread out over a larger volume.
This means that you can drink more cups throughout the day if you have an americano compared to a cup of coffee.
However, despite being weaker than regular coffee drinks, Americanos are much stronger than other beverages like drip or French press which makes them popular among people who need their morning jolt before beginning work for the day!
How to Make Espresso at Home
If you want to make espresso based coffee drinks you’ll need to understand and master the art of crafting the perfect shot of espresso.
This is no easy task and it can take time before you get comfortable.
To make an espresso shot at home, you’ll need some equipment that I’ll explore below as well as some espresso coffee beans.
Purchase an Espresso Machine
The easiest way to make a shot of espresso is by purchasing an espresso machine.
Espresso machines are perfect for making any classic espresso drink like an Americano, cappuccino, or even an espresso macchiato.
Making espresso drinks with a machine is much easier and less messy than by hand.
While there are a few different types of espresso machines, the most common type is an automatic or semi automatic.
Automatic espresso machines will automatically steam and brew for you while semi automatic models require a bit more work – but offer greater control over the process.
The key difference between automatic and semi-automatic espresso machines is that the former can automatically steam milk for you while the latter will require manual input.
If you want to make an Americano or cappuccino, it’s recommended that you get a semi-automatic espresso machine since these drinks are primarily made up of milk.
However, if you only want to make espresso shots or macchiatos (which consist of just espresso and foam), an automatic espresso machine would work perfectly.
Use a Moka Pot
Another method to making a shot of espresso at home is using a moka pot. This device is what espresso machines were before they were invented.
Moka pots work by applying steam pressure to water which then forces the liquid through a filter and into your cup.
To use one of these, fill it with water up to the valve on the top (usually located at about six o’clock). Then pour in finely ground coffee until you reach the top of the second ring.
Next, place it on a stovetop and turn up the heat until you hear steam being released from around the valve area. Once this happens, remove from heat immediately because coffee will continue to be brewed through the filter for another minute or two which could lead to burning your drink!
Try a French Press
Using a french press to make an espresso shot for your coffee drinks is another viable option.
French presses are great because they allow for total immersion of the grounds which helps to release all flavors and oils in your coffee so that you get a truly rich taste.
Brewing with one is very easy, just place between four and twelve tablespoons of ground coffee into it (depending on how strong you want your drink) and fill with hot water.
Then, let it steep for three to five minutes and press down the plunger which will separate your grounds from the liquid coffee at the bottom of your drink!
The problem with french presses is that they can often lead to a gritty texture in your finished product – especially if you do not follow proper steps when using it.
How to Make Steamed Milk at Home
Making steamed milk at home is necessary to make a cappuccino.
You can either use a steaming pitcher or frothing wand to do this.
Steam pitchers are great because they distribute heat evenly throughout the milk and help you create smooth microfoam for your drinks. They also make it easy to add foam in advance so that all you have to do is pour when making espresso based coffee beverages.
Steamed Milk vs Foamed Milk
Steamed milk is slightly different than foamed milk. Frothed milk is filled with tiny bubbles while steamed milk is silky smooth.
The difference between these two types of milk has to do with whether or not air has been introduced into the liquid by way of frothing, blending it in a blender, or shaking it vigorously. For example, if you use an espresso machine’s steam wand to introduce steam and heat into the milk, it will transform into steamed milk.
If you introduce air by stirring or blending, this transforms your liquid to foamed milk which is lighter and fluffier than its counterpart.
Final Thoughts on Cappuccinos & Americanos
Both espresso drinks pack a punch when it comes to caffeine. However, if you’re choosing between a cappuccino or an americano – which is the better option for you?
In general, a cappuccino is going to be more bitter and flavorful than its counterpart. If you like strong coffee drinks with a lot of fizz, then this is definitely the drink for you! On the other hand, if you prefer something a bit sweeter and weaker in flavor, then an americano might be better.
Coffee drinkers can rejoice because making both coffee drinks at home is a fast and easy way to save money by avoiding coffee shops.
