The most important ingredient in a perfect cappuccino is the milk. In response to customer demand about which milk is best to use, we tested this with 8 different types of milk. We tested this in the best-selling espresso machine with cappuccino function at the moment; the Philips LatteGo.
How did we judge?
While testing the cappuccinos, we looked at 4 different aspects:
> presentation: how the cappuccino looks as a whole, the colour. Are you getting in the mood for it?
> aroma: how the cappuccino smells and which aromas are most prominent in it.
> flavour: the feel and taste, the texture and which flavours are most present/dominant.
> foam quality: how it looks, firmness (degree of air bubbles in the milk foam), consistency (how quickly the milk foam collapses).
Good hygiene gives the best results
Did you know that after making a cappuccino, milk residues, proteins and fats remain in the milk system of your coffee machine? That's why, before carrying out this test, we first cleaned the milk system with Eccellente Milk System Cleaner and rinsed it with hot water. Because a clean machine gives the most delicious cappuccino!
TOP 3 of our test panel
Number 3: Soya based Milk
This cappuccino has the best presentation, it looks beautiful and the build-up of coffee, milk and foam of this cappuccino was very clear and attractive. The quality of the foam is firm and the consistency is good, so the foam stays firm for a long time. The major drawback of this type of milk is that the cappuccino has a peculiar aftertaste, which was described as unpleasant by most members of the test panel. Furthermore, this cappuccino has little aroma.
Number 2: Almond based Milk
This cappuccino has a nice flavour, with a nutty character. This cappuccino also has a fine presentation and the almond scent is pleasant. The disadvantage of this milk is that the quality of the foam is less, the froth layer collapses quickly.
Number 1: Whole Milk
The test showed that the whole milk is our favourite. This milk gives a nice presentation, a light and creamy smell, the taste is nice and the frothing stays in place nicely.
Conclusions
Does it matter whether the cappuccino has a plant based origin or originates from a cow? As far as we are concerned, it makes no difference. An important aspect for a good cappuccino is the creaminess of the milk, as a fuller milk gives the best results. The price of milk has little influence in this and the private label scores even better than the A-brand. Is a special barista, latte or frothing milk necessary for a good cappuccino? No, according to our test panel, you can make a delicious cappuccino without any additives in the milk!