The cappuccino is the essential element to any Italian breakfast and is the epitomy of milky coffee in Italy.
It is usually drunk only at breakfast, and never after meals, as you can see in our cappuccino tradition post.
Two theories exist as to the name ‘cappuccino’: the first is that the foam takes on the form of the Frati Cappuccini, a relgious order from the 16th century.
The second theory is that the cappuccino was invented by Marco d’Aviano, a monk himself, and that after the Battle of Vienna in 1683, on taking sacks of coffee from the Ottoman empire, cappuccino was invented.
Below we give you a ranking of the best coffee bars for cappuccino, with Milan at the top: 1) Bastianello – via Borgogna 5, Milano (the best for its creaminess and the elegant cups and service)2) Veranda Il Calandrino – via Liguria 1, Rubano (truly a work of art with a coffee mix)3) Coffee & Chocolate – via Principe di Belmonte 108, Palermo (the Spinnato family has three bars creating a refined and perfect cappuccino)A mention also goes to the Caffè Sant’Eustachio in Rome.
After the jump is a video of how to make the perfect cappuccino.
