Italy is famous for the variety of coffees it produces. Cappuccinos are loved among coffee lovers and despite its vague history, many people still appreciate the comfort it brings. Thus, comes a happy day called Cappuccino Day, where people from all over can order a frothy and whipped cup of coffee and eat with whatever meal they’re having. Let’s take a look at how Cappuccino Day came to be.
History of Cappuccino Day
The name “Cappuccino” came from the Capuchin Friars, a minor order of friars within the Catholic Church, who in the 16th century were well known for their missionary work helping the poor and were dedicated to extreme austerity, poverty, and simplicity. Wearing a brown robe with a pointed hood, it is believed that the name stemmed from a specific person in the order, Marco d’Aviano. According to the Telegraph, when an Ottoman Turk army tried marching into Vienna in 1683, d’Aviano united the outnumbered Christian troops and made them victorious in defending Vienna.
The legend says that after the Turks fled, they left behind Ottoman coffee, and because the Christians found it to be bitter, they sweetened it with milk and honey and named it after the Order of Capuchins. Another source says that the idea of the cappuccino drink appears to have originated in the 1700’s, in the “Kapuziner” coffee houses in Austria, which contained coffee with cream and sugar and eventually added spices.
However, the cappuccino we know today was invented in Italy during the 1900’s after the invention of the espresso machine gained popularity. The first record of the cappuccino appeared in the 1930’s. After World War II, the espresso machine improved, and so changed the process of making cappuccinos, which now have steamed and frothed cream and thus spread its popularity around the world.
How to Celebrate Cappuccino Day
Buy a cappuccino at your favorite cafe. If you’d rather have a cup at home, get an espresso machine and make a cup yourself. Or if you love the process of making cappuccinos, look up famous baristas and be wowed by their ability to make beautiful creations with coffee. Cappuccinos are one of the hardest drinks to make, but their elegance and frothy taste will be sure to have you wanting a cup for yourself. If you’re a lover of taking photos of your food, take a picture of your cappuccino and hashtag #CappuccinoDay to show to your friends.
