By: Brody Walsh
Two-thirds of Americans drink coffee daily, equating to roughly 516 million cups of coffee per year. October 1st is International Coffee Day, and it’s a perfect time to learn a bit more about the beverage that has become such a fixture in everyday life. What’s the difference between a cappuccino and a latte? How does a light roast compare to dark and medium roasts? All this and more will be answered below!
The cappuccino is an Italian coffee that has its origins rooted all the way back in the early 1900s. The name cappuccino is a reference not to coffee but to friars, Capuchin friars are renowned for their dress, distinct brown robes whose color is very similar to the look of the espresso and milk that makes up a cappuccino. So, the term cappuccino was born. Though cappuccino is not the only popular beverage made up of espresso and milk, lattes are also extremely popular in today’s coffee culture. What sets them apart? Typically, the difference between the two lies in the ratios of milk to espresso. A cappuccino is always made of equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam; the equal thirds will lead to a stronger espresso flavor when compared with a latte. A latte will vary depending on where it is made but the ratio typically falls somewhere around two parts milk for every part espresso; the uneven ratio of a latte gives a creamer consistency and a lighter espresso flavor. So if you prefer a more balanced strong espresso taste, the cappuccino might be the right order, while a latte is best if you prefer a richer, creamier drink.
When ordering typical coffee there are often several options for the “roast” of the coffee. Typically, these are light, medium, and dark roasts. These distinctions refer to the amount of time and heat used in the roasting of the coffee beans. This impacts how strong the coffee tastes.
The lighter the roast will have a smoother less acidic taste, while the darker roasts will have a stronger taste and often be more acidic. Lighter roasts will also have slightly more caffeine, though usually, this doesn’t have to do with the roast itself, but rather the density of the bean. Light roasts will have a denser bean and therefore contain slightly
more caffeine per scoop.