There are a number of different espresso drinks that you can get an figuring out the differences between them can be difficult.
This post will show you the differences between frappe and cappuccino, how they are made, how they taste, what impacts their taste and drinks that are similar to them.
So, what is the difference between frappe and cappuccino? Frappe is an iced drink that has been blended and is often served with whipped cream and other toppings it will normally also be made with coffee. Cappuccino is espresso with steamed milk and milk foam added to it.
Depending on how they are made, frappe and cappuccino can both vary a lot in the way that they taste and there are a number of different drinks that are similar to them.
Differences between frappe and cappuccino
Below, I will show you the differences between frappe and cappuccino, how to make them, how they taste, what impacts their taste and drinks that are similar to them.
Cappuccino
Cappuccino is where steamed milk and milk foam are added to espresso. Cappuccino has a creamy and strong coffee-like taste.
Espresso is the mixture that you get when you push hot and pressurized water through finely ground coffee. Espresso is dense and has a strong taste and can be slightly bitter.
How to make cappuccino
To make cappuccino you make espresso and then steam milk and add the milk to the espresso.
There are three main ways to make espresso which are to either use a traditional espresso machine, a pod espresso machine or to use a stovetop espresso maker.
Traditional espresso machine
To make espresso using a traditional espresso machine it will be necessary for you to get the coffee beans, grind them, push them into a container, put the container into the machine and then to turn the machine on.
You can watch the video below to see how to make cappuccino using a traditional espresso machine.
The issues with using a traditional espresso machine are that it can have a steep learning curve and the, they require the most amount of time in preparing and maintaining the machine and they can be expensive.
However, they will make the highest quality espresso and they give you the greatest amount of control over the taste of the espresso.
The traditional espresso machine that I would recommend the most would be this one on Amazon. However, a cheaper but very reliable alternative would be this one on Amazon.
Pod espresso machines
To make espresso using a pod espresso machine you fill the machine with water, put a pod in it and then you press a button.
They come with milk frothers as well so they will allow you to make cappuccino by adding the steamed milk to the espresso once it is made.
The issues with pod espresso machines are that they do not give you as much control over the taste of the espresso as with traditional espresso machines and the quality won’t be as high either.
However, the espresso that they make does still taste good, they come with a range of flavors to choose from and they are quick and easy to use.
The pod espresso machine that I would recommend the most would be this one on Amazon.
Stovetop espresso makers
Stovetop espresso makers generate the necessary pressure to make the espresso by generating steam. To make espresso using one you put water into the machine, put ground coffee above the water and then you heat the machine up and espresso will come out of a filter.
You can watch the video below to see how to make espresso using a stovetop espresso maker.
Stovetop espresso makers don’t come with milk steamers. This means that, to make cappuccino, it will be necessary for you to heat the milk up without one. This will make it more difficult to do and the quality of the cappuccino won’t be as good as with traditional or pod-style espresso machines.
However, stovetop espresso makers are a good option if you are on a tight budget or if you are not sure that you would get full use out of an espresso machine.
A stovetop espresso maker that I would recommend would be this one on Amazon.
What impacts the way that cappuccino tastes
Cappuccino can vary in the way that it tastes depending on how it was made.
If whole milk or a lot of milk is used to make the cappuccino then it will give it a creamier taste that is less strong such as with latte.
If Arabica beans are used to make the espresso then it will usually give the espresso a smoother taste that can sometimes be slightly sour. If Robusta beans are used then it will generally give the espresso a richer and more bitter taste.
If beans with a light roast are used then it will make the espresso less bitter but it can also make it taste sour. Beans with a dark roast will taste more nutty but they can also taste bitter.
If the espresso is made using a coffee grind that is too fine then it can cause the espresso to be bitter since too much of the coffee will mix with the espresso. Whereas, if the grind is not fine enough then it can make it taste sour.
Similar drinks to cappuccino
There are a number of drinks that are similar to cappuccino such as:
- Latte
Latte is made by adding a lot of steamed milk and a small amount of milk foam to espresso. Latte is more creamy and less strong compared to cappuccino.
- Mocha
Mocha is made by adding chocolate syrup and steamed milk or hot chocolate to espresso. Mocha has a chocolatey and coffee-like taste.
- Breve
Breve is where half and half milk and cream are added to espresso. Breve is creamier than cappuccino due to the higher fat content in the cream.
- Macchiato
Macchiato is espresso with a small amount of milk foam added to it. Macchiato has a stronger taste compared to cappuccino since less milk is used.
Frappe
Frappe is an iced drink that has been blended and is often served with whipped cream and other toppings it will normally also be made with coffee.
Since there are a number of different ways to make frappe the way that it tastes can vary a lot.
The types of frappe flavors that you could get at a coffee shop could include flavors such as mocha, vanilla or caramel.
You can watch the video below to see how to make starbucks style frappe.
Similar drinks to frappe
There are some other drinks that are similar to frappe that you might like such as:
- Affogato
Affogato is where espresso is poured over ice cream. Typically, vanilla is the flavor that is used but you can use any flavor that you like.
- Frappuccino
Frappuccino is an iced cappuccino blended with milkshake and other flavorings it is trademarked by Starbucks.
