Transforming your kitchen into a personal café starts with the right tools. Start with an espresso machine to pull rich, creamy shots as the foundation of your drink. A high-quality burr grinder ensures your coffee grounds are fine and consistent for that authentic espresso taste. Invest in a stainless steel milk frothing pitcher and a steam wand or standalone milk frother to create the ideal microfoam. Finally, a kitchen scale and thermometer help you measure and heat with precision, ensuring every cappuccino you make is perfectly balanced and café-worthy.

A Barista's Toolkit

Choose an Espresso Machine

Tool # 1

Coffee Bean Grinder

Coffee Tamper

Tool # 2

Tool # 3

Tool # 5

6 oz Cappuccino Cups with Saucers

Espresso Distributor

Tool # 6

Tool # 4

Scale

A well-made cappuccino balances espresso, steamed milk, and foam. Start by pulling a rich espresso shot as the base. Next, steam milk to create a smooth, velvety microfoam, ensuring it's warm but not overheated. Pour the milk into the espresso, starting gently to mix, then finish with the foam layer on top. Aim for equal thirds of espresso, steamed milk, and foam for the perfect cappuccino structure.

An Overview of Making a Cappuccino