by Hudson Haberland

The loud crunch of the bean grinder, the whirl of the tamperer, the loud hum of the brew, and the hiss and pop of the steam frothing the milk all build up to the creation of one thing: a good cappuccino. These sounds are accompanied by a flurry of aromatic scents that envelop your nose in delight; it’s like being a Disney character irresistibly drawn towards the smell of a delicious pie. This is complimented by its exquisite taste, containing the perfect mixture of bold, rich flavors of some of my favorite espresso beans, and the subtle sweetness of the frothed milk, sometimes enhanced by a splash of vanilla syrup.  

I remember the first time I had the pleasure of the cappuccino. In a local coffee shop looking for a caffeine kick, I asked the barista for a recommendation. She told me, “Well the classic drink for everyone is a latte, but my favorite is the cappuccino, it’s got so much more style to it.”

She wasn’t kidding, and neither were the Italians who started this cup nearly a century prior, capitalizing on the invention of espresso machines. These were a truly authentic Italian delicacy of the time as they “were expensive and cumbersome,” leading to a costly process, allowing only those of wealth to enjoy the drink (McNamee). However, espresso machines made their way to the masses following World War II with technological improvements, allowing the cappuccino to become “drink of choice for Italians at breakfast” (McNamee). Cappuccinos weren’t served at any other time of the day, making it a unique symbol of an Italian coffee drinker.

The worldly origins left cappuccinos an Italian secret for the next fifty years. How then did this amazing coffee beverage end up as a staple in this Midwest coffee shop and so many more around the globe? The drink picked up popularity in Italy’s neighboring countries, and thanks to the spread of “cafe culture” in the late 1980’s and 1990’s, the cappuccino and its sister drinks (latte, americano, etc.) became widely marketed in the States as a luxury item beyond that of a simple black coffee (Goodwin). Today you can find the drink internationally marketed by large chains, such as Starbucks, propelling the drink’s popularity to heights unimaginable to those small town Italian baristas. 

My favorite coffee shop stands out for its unique latte art, with each cappuccino having a heart, a swan, or other frothy art. This somewhat recent trend has made its way into the coffee industry in the past two decades, giving baristas a surrogate “signature” to their work. Recent studies have even shown that by simply adding latte art, customers are likely to pay anywhere from 11-13% more for their drink, and the art has even “influenced people's expectations concerning the likability, bitterness and quality of the drink” (van Doorn). As a coffee drinker, I can certainly say I’ve experienced this firsthand; I always tip a little extra for some truly talented artists’ designs.

Personally, cappuccinos are more than commerce; they’re a cherished link in my family bond. A little over a year ago, I convinced my parents to buy an espresso machine in order to share my passion and love for making coffee with them. It was an instant hit, with my parent’s falling in love with the various intricacies of the brewing process. They came to enjoy the challenge of getting the perfect pour, the perfect crema, or the perfect froth. Mistakes were met with laughter and success was seen as a thrill, like the one you get in solving the mystery in Clue. We now debate over which beans are our favorites, talk about new ones we want to try, and joke about our ever increasing caffeine consumption.

Here in Ann Arbor I’ve downgraded to a small Nespresso machine in my dorm room for the sake of logistics and portability. Despite a reduction in physical quality, I still retain a keen sense of emotional stimulation each time I start a brew, as I think about the good times I’ve shared with my family over this drink, and the many that are yet to come. I can make a cappuccino in just two minutes, but the memories will last a lifetime.