Cappuccino Recipe per the Italian Authorities

The recipe for cappuccino according to 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

Some interesting things to observe in this "official" recipe from the land from which the cappuccino originated. First, it's not clear whether "add coffee to...ceramic cup" means extract the espresso directly into the ceramic cup. My "golden rule of espesso making" is to extract directly into the cup - do not extract into a pitcher and then pour the espresso into a cup as you will leave a good amount of the crema behind. For more details, read my "golden rule for making espresso".

Second, note they say "ceramic cup". American coffee shops take note; ditch your paper cups! And we, the customer, should be demanding it. Coffee in a "real" ceramic cup tastes better. Serving it in a paper cup conveys the sense that coffee is just another fast food to be consumed on the run. Stop, take a breath, and enjoy your coffee in a ceramic cup. Oh, and join with some friends in doing so.

Third, the milk is added to the espresso. That's certainly how it should be - extract the coffee into your cup, and pour the milk into the espresso. Not the other way around. Again, pay attention America!

Finally, add sugar and stir. Hmm, I don't have sugar with my coffee, whatever kind of drink it is. Interesting that the Italians consider it essential to a cappuccino. This I would definitely say can be left to personal preference. In some countries, such as New Zealand and Australia, a cappuccino is typically served with either ground cinnamon or chocolate sprinkled on top, something I've never seen as an option in the U.S. Also, I note in New Zealand, that a cappuccino is often accompanied by a chocolate candy, typically a chocolate fish.