A cappuccino is an Italian coffee-based beverage that is made by combining espresso with hot milk. Cappuccinos are typically served in cups as on the surface is a thin layer of foam made from steamed. The drink can be customized very liberally because of the wide variety of milk and milk alternatives that are available.
It has received great amounts of popularity from coffee drinkers over the recent years since it is very versatile. Some cappuccinos typically have cinnamon or nutmeg incorporated into the drink. These spices give it a kick of flavor. It may be served hot or cold and other times with coffee art embellishments.
The difference between a cappuccino and a cafe latte is the amount of milk they contain. They both have an espresso-milk blend however cappuccinos have a smaller amount of milk by percent volume.
Now that cappuccinos have been integrated into the average diet, it is important to know how many calories in a cappuccino we consume every time we drink a cup. But since they are versatile drinks, cappuccino nutrition facts tend to vary depending on the manner in which the particular cup of cappuccino was made.
The breakdown of cappuccino nutritional facts in a standard cup (16 fl. oz) is as follows: fat = 48%, carbs = 32%, protein = 22%
Most of the calories in a cappuccino are derived from the milk portion of the drink. Since most of the calories in a cappuccino come from milk, the value varies drastically depending on the type of milk used to make the coffee drink in the first place. For example, one cup of traditional cappuccino (espresso + regular milk) contains 74 calories. However, cappuccinos purchased from chain cafes that make use of whipped cream contain 120 calories. A non-fat cappuccino, made with non-fat milk, has very little calories (about 34 calories per cup); same goes for reduced fat cappuccinos (40 calories per cup). Of course there are other milk types available like skin milk and soy milk that contribute to the amount of calories present in the drink.
However, cappuccinos purchased from chain cafes that make use of whipped cream contain 120 calories. A non-fat cappuccino, made with non-fat milk, has very little calories (about 34 calories per cup); same goes for reduced fat cappuccinos (40 calories per cup). Of course there are other milk types available like skin milk and soy milk that contribute to the amount of calories present in the drink.
Milk is still the major contributor of carbohydrates however the type of sugar and/or artificial sweetener used also affects the cappuccino nutrition facts. Cappuccinos can have about 5.81 grams to 12 grams of carbohydrates in it. Take note that the more sugar you add to taste, the more carbs you consume. Others opt to use artificial sweeteners like Splenda over regular sugar to decrease their carb intake.
Spices (like cinnamon and nutmeg) have zero caloric values.
It is worth noting that the size of the drink also affects the amount of calories you consume. Naturally, the larger the drink, the more calories it contains.
While the amount of calories in a cappuccino can be determined by the amount and kind of milk present in the drink, the amount of caffeine is dictated by the number of shots of espresso. The exact amount of caffeine in each cup of cappuccino also differs depending on how the drink is made. Ordinarily, there is about 30 to 50 milligrams of caffeine for every 1 fl. oz. of espresso.
A cappuccino is made with about 12 fl. oz. of coffee concentrate which means there are 154 milligrams of caffeine in a single cup. That’s relatively high. Though bear in mind the number of espresso shots varies from cafe to cafe. Best to ask your local barista how they prepare theirs.
If you’re the type who does not like caffeine, there is always the option to go decaf if you prefer. But decaf cappuccinos are not necessarily completely free of caffeine. About a tenth of the usual amount is still present in the drink but safe to say that they are well below the alarmingly high mark.
In summary, cappuccinos are delicious coffee drinks that are available nearly everywhere. They serve as great pick-me-ups in the morning or tasteful nightcaps. However, care must be exercised for they greatly increase fat, sugars and caffeine intake if consumed regularly. But do not despair. There are various ways to customize a cup of cappuccino as to decrease the caloric intake without sacrificing the taste. This can come in handy the next time you visit your local cafe.