I know that some will blast the further “regulation” of the world and its joys, but for someone like me who is tired of being asked by chain café employees whether I want my cappuccino “wet” or “dry,” the codification by Italians of the proper cappuccino is very welcome. Anyway, it’s their drink and they can codify it all they want, if you ask me.
Try though I might, I can’t seem to explain to the “baristas” at the national chains that a cappuccino is a cappuccino … there aren’t numerous versions. What they describe as a “dry” cappuccino is a cappuccino. What they persist in calling a “wet” cappuccino is a caffelatte. Sadly, at least one local coffee heavyweight’s employees have also started doing this.
But why does it surprise me. One chain “barista” once told me that the difference between a latte and a macchiato is not the amount of milk -- as I had suggested -- but instead the order in which the ingredients were put into the cup. A latte, she said, is milk with espresso added. A macchiato is an espresso with milk added. Oy vey.
I’m pleased to relay the recipe for cappuccino as concocted by the National Institute for Italian Espresso (as reported by The Guardian):
Ingredients:
- 125ml milk, no warmer than 3-5C, containing a minimum of 3.2 percent protein and 3.5 percent fat
- 25ml shot of hot espresso coffee
Directions:
- Add coffee to a 150-160ml capacity ceramic cup
- Froth milk with steam to a temperature of 55C, and add to cup
- Add sugar and stir gently
I will admit, however, to occasionally having a post-noon cappuccino or caffelatte, although I do my best to avoid this no-no. I hope this won’t be a problem at Italian passport control.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
