National Cappuccino Day – November 11, 2026

History of National Cappuccino Day

Before we delve into the history of that fantastic morning wake-me-up, the cappuccino; let’s go through some basics. Espresso coffee forms the base from which cappuccinos are made. Espresso results from a highly-pressurized process which forces hot water through dense, tightly-packed grounds resulting in less than an ounce of an incredibly strong brew with an earthy taste and rich aroma. Cappuccinos are made from espresso, hot milk and lots of foam.

There’s an unverified legend that a 17th century monk named Marco d’Aviano first created the cappuccino after the Battle of Vienna in 1683. Many historians conclude that cappuccinos do originate with a subset of the Catholic Church’s friars, the Capuchin monks around that same time. But coffee being the global drink that it is, has always found a place in Vienna. By 1805, an early version of the cappuccino, also known as the “kapuziner,” starts to appear in Viennese coffee houses. These drinks were “coffee with cream and sugar.” But the name, cappuccino, is descriptive.  It refers to the deep, brown color of the hooded frocks or “cappuccini,” worn by 17th century Capuchin monks in Italy.

Later, in 1901,  Italian inventor, Luigi Bezzera, filed the first patent for an espresso machine. That created wide demand for the delicious drink but only a few restaurants could make cappuccinos because the machines were bulky and not easy to use.  However, after WWII, technical improvements made espresso machines easier to use and their popularity spread throughout Italy and other parts of Europe and the world. The rest is frothy, espresso-infused history.

In the United States, cappuccino reached the zenith of its popularity due in large part to Seattle and Starbucks. Although we honor National Cappuccino Day, no organization or person has stepped up to claim its creation. Still, we appreciate a wonderful part of our morning routine. Enjoy!