Guide · As of October 2026
A cappuccino consists of a single espresso of 17 to 19 g and 125 to 160 g of steamed milk with 1 to 2 cm of foam, served in a cup of 150 to 180 ml. Exactly how much milk you should use depends on the bean: a strong, dark espresso can take more milk than a light, fruity one.
Recipe at a glance
| Cappuccino | |
|---|---|
| Coffee grounds | 8 to 9 g in the single basket |
| Espresso in the cup | 17 to 19 g |
| Milk | 125 to 160 g, depending on the bean |
| Milk temperature | 60 to 65 °C |
| Foam | 1 to 2 cm |
| Cup | 150 to 180 ml |
If you prefer to work with the double basket, pull a double espresso and split it between two cups. The double basket is more forgiving and delivers more consistent results.
Step by step
- Preheat the cup.
- Pull the espresso. 8 to 9 g coffee grounds, 17 to 19 g into the cup.
- Milk cold in the pitcher. Fill the pitcher about halfway; the milk will increase in volume.
- Aerate. Tip of the steam wand just below the surface until the pitcher is warm to the touch. For cappuccino slightly longer than for flat white, as the foam should be thicker.
- Let it roll. Lower the wand, let the milk circulate until 60 to 65 °C is reached. Do not exceed 70 °C, otherwise the sweetness will be lost.
- Tap and swirl the pitcher. Large bubbles burst, the milk becomes glossy.
- Pour. Start from a little height under the crema, then lower the pitcher so the foam sits on top.
How much milk suits which bean
The amount of milk is not a fixed number. We have defined it individually for each of our beans, each for 17 to 19 g espresso:
| Bean | Character | Milk |
|---|---|---|
| Ätna | dark, chocolate, nougat, very low acidity | 155 to 160 g |
| Vesuv | dark, spicy, 50 % Canephora | 155 to 160 g |
| Hausblend N°1 | chocolate, nougat, a touch of citrus | 145 to 155 g |
| Bergkraft | milk chocolate, almond, caramel | 145 to 155 g |
| Nachtgold Decaf | forest honey, fig, milk chocolate | 135 to 145 g |
| Hochlandjuwel | natural, blueberry, dark chocolate | 135 to 145 g |
| Hochlandblüte | washed, floral, red berries | 125 to 135 g |
The rule behind it: the more body and roast aroma a bean has, the more milk it can handle. A light, floral coffee is overwhelmed by 160 g of milk, so it receives less.
Which bean for which cappuccino?
You want the classic Italian cappuccino: Ätna or Vesuv. Dark chocolate, full body, hardly any acidity. The coffee remains recognizable even with a lot of milk.
You want a rounded everyday cappuccino: Hausblend N°1. Chocolate and nougat, plus a light freshness.
You drink cappuccino in the evening: Nachtgold Decaf. Decaffeinated, with honey and chocolate notes that pair well with milk.
You like it fruity: Hochlandjuwel. The berry notes combined with milk create a flavor reminiscent of blueberry yogurt. Prepare with less milk so the fruit does not disappear.
You have a super-automatic machine: Bergkraft, developed for more crema and body in super-automatic machines.
Typical mistakes when foaming milk
- Large bubbles: too long or too coarse aeration. Move the wand tip closer to the surface and submerge earlier.
- Foam separates from the milk: waited too long. Foam the milk only when the espresso is running, and pour immediately.
- Milk tastes flat or burnt: too hot. Stop at 60 to 65 °C.
- Hardly any foam: the milk was not cold enough or the pitcher was too full.
Cappuccino with oat drink
Choose barista variants; the regular ones tend to clump when foaming. Dark, low-acidity roasts like Ätna pair best with oat drink. More on this in the oat drink comparison.
Frequently asked questions
How much espresso goes into a cappuccino?
A single espresso of 17 to 19 g, extracted from 8 to 9 g of coffee grounds.
How much milk goes into a cappuccino?
125 to 160 g. Dark, strong beans can take 155 to 160 g; light and fruity ones rather 125 to 135 g.
How hot should the milk be?
60 to 65 °C. Above 70 °C the milk loses its sweetness.
What is the difference between cappuccino and flat white?
The cappuccino has a single espresso, more milk and 1 to 2 cm of foam. The flat white has a double espresso, less milk and only a thin layer of foam.
What is the difference between cappuccino and latte macchiato?
The latte macchiato has significantly more milk with the same espresso, with our beans 195 to 265 ml, and is served in a glass of 300 to 400 ml.
Which coffee beans are best for cappuccino?
Beans with body and low acidity, that is, medium to dark roasts with chocolate and nut notes. For us, these are Ätna, Vesuv and Hausblend N°1.
Read more: Flat White · Cortado · Finding the ideal grind size
