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Cappuccino Nutrition Information

The cappuccino takes its name from the vestments of the Capuchin monks, which are a light brown color. The color of the beverage, which results from mixing steamed milk with coffee, is important because it is only obtained properly with the correct ratio of milk and coffee. Steaming the right amount of milk and blending the two together is the hardest part about making a cappuccino. The nutritional content of the drink comes primarily from the milk and sugar used to create its flavor.

  1. Identification

    • Cappuccino is a traditional Italian coffee drink usually consumed in the morning with a croissant or brioche. It consists of espresso, hot milk and steamed-milk foam. Traditional Italian cappuccinos are 5 to 6 ounces, mostly consisting of espresso. American cappuccinos are at least 6 to 8 ounces and as much as 20 ounces in a Starbucks venti. The nutritional information in a 6-ounce cappuccino is described here.

    Fat

    • A 6-ounce cappuccino has about 3 grams of fat, which come entirely from the whole milk content of the beverage. Two-thirds of the fat in milk is saturated fat, and there is no trans fat. The fat content of cappuccino can be reduced by using low-fat or skim milk or by reducing the total amount of milk.

    Protein

    • The protein content of a cappuccino also comes from the milk. There are approximately 3 grams of protein in a 6-ounce cappuccino using whole milk. There can be considerably less protein in powdered or instant versions of the beverage. Changing the amount of milk will alter the fat and protein content. Traditional Italian cappuccinos likely have significantly less fat and protein than those sold at Starbucks.

    Carbohydrates

    • The carbohydrate content of a cappuccino comes almost entirely from the sugar used to sweeten the drink, since there are virtually no carbs in the espresso and few in the milk. The amount of sugar used can vary. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a 6-ounce cappuccino prepared from a powder mix contains about 6 grams of sugar. A 12-ounce Starbucks cappuccino contains 10 grams of sugar.

    Water and Caffeine

    • A cappuccino is about 90 percent water. Both coffee and milk are more water than anything else. The caffeine content of the drink, which obviously comes from the coffee, is about 75 milligrams in a 12-ounce Starbucks cappuccino. A traditional Italian cappuccino will have somewhat less because it is only a 6-ounce beverage, but the ratio of coffee to milk is much higher.

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