Good evening, welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: November 8th, 2021. Did you know today is National Cappuccino Day which I’ve never had and don’t plan on having one. But David enjoys Cappuccino and I thought you might as well and that you would want to celebrate National Cappuccino Day.
5 facts about Cappuccino
- Cappuccino was invented in Italy.
2. Cappuccino was first patented by a man named Luigi Bezzera in 1901.
3. In Italy, Cappuccino is traditionally consumed once a day with breakfast.
4. The steamed foam served with Capuccino serves as an insulator allowing the liquid to retain its heat for a longer period of time.
5. Capuccino is rumored to have been named after Marco d’Aviano: a friar who led the resistance to the Turkish Seige of Vienna in 1683. This rumor hasn’t been supported by any Historical providence.
I would like to invite you to enjoy a cup of foamy deliciousness on November 8th as we celebrate National Cappuccino Day! Double Espresso, Steamed Milk and foam. What more do you need because it’s amazing that these ingredients can make us happy! Start the day with a Cappuccino, and wind down after dinner with a hot, Cappuccino.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL CAPPUCCINO DAY
Before we delve into the History of the Cappuccino; let’s go through basics. Espresso Coffee forms the base from which Cappuccinos are made. Espresso results from a highly-pressurized process which forces hot Water through dense, tightly-packed grounds resulting in less than an ounce of an incredibly strong brew with an earthy taste and rich aroma. Cappuccinos are made from Espresso, hot Milk and lots of foam.
There’s an unverified legend that a 17th Century Monk named Marco d’Aviano first created Cappuccino after the Battle of Vienna in 1683. Historians conclude that Cappuccinos do originate with a subset of the Catholic Church’s friars, the Capuchin Monks around that same time. Coffee being the global drink that it is, has always found a place in Vienna. By 1805, an early version of the Cappuccino, also known as the “kapuziner,” started to appear in Viennese Coffee Houses. These drinks were “Coffee with Cream and Sugar.” But the name, Cappuccino, is descriptive. Cappuccino refers to the deep, brown color of the hooded frocks or “cappuccini,” worn by 17th Century Capuchin Monks in Italy.
Later, in 1901, Italian inventor, Luigi Bezzera, filed the first patent for an Espresso Machine. That created wide demand for the delicious drink but only a few restaurants could make Cappuccinos because the machines were bulky and not easy to use. However, after WWII, technical improvements made Espresso Machines easier to use and their popularity spread throughout Italy and other parts of Europe and the World.
In the United States, Cappuccino reached the zenith of its popularity due in large part to Seattle and Starbucks. Although we honor National Cappuccino Day, no organization or person has stepped up to claim its creation. We appreciate Cappuccino as a wonderful part of our morning routine.
NATIONAL CAPPUCCINO DAY ACTIVITIES
- Phone a friend and invite them to Coffee. and catch up on life as you sip your Caffeine from a warm mug.
- Don’t let the fancy name fool you. Cappuccinos are simple to make with the right equipment. Purchase an Espresso Maker and start enjoying your favorite Caffeinated beverage at home.
- If you don’t share Cappuccino, did it really happen? With Baristas creating custom masterpieces in the foam, Cappuccino is like art. Post your foamy artwork with the hashtag #NationalCappuccinoDay.
4 DELICIOUS ALTERNATIVES FOR THE CAPPUCCINO ENTHUSIAST
- Lattes have the same amount of Espresso as a Cappuccino, but more Milk, requiring Lattes to be served in a larger cup.
- Flat whites are prepared with a milder, double shot of Espresso and Milk with very little foam.
- Macchiatos are a great fit for the Espresso lover, because they match Cappuccinos in their Espresso measurement, but contain less Milk.
- For a slightly richer flavor, enjoy this Spanish hybrid with equal parts of Espresso and Condensed Milk, minus foam.
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL CAPPUCCINO DAY
- To honor the Espresso beverage, let’s indulge in an extra foamy Cappuccino. Every Coffee Shop and a number of restaurants make them.
- The concept of Cappuccinos dates back to the 1700s, stretching across Europe under a number of different names. The modern day version was dubbed “cappuccino” after the color of the monks’ robes of the Capuchin order.
- Sharing Coffee has a way of bringing people together. Whether Coffee is shared across a conference table or from a cozy coffee shop nook with friends, a warm cup of Cappuccino has a way of drawing a crowd.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
