The Perfect Cappuccino

1. Pull a double shot of espresso into a cappuccino cup.
2. Foam the milk to double its original volume.
3. Top the espresso with foamed milk right after foaming. When initially poured, cappuccinos are only espresso and foam, but the liquid milk quickly settles out of the foam to create the (roughly) equal parts foam, steamed milk, and espresso for which cappuccino is known. 
4. Serve immediately.

Difference Between Cappuccino and Caffè Latte

Cappuccino is traditionally small with a thick layer of foam, while a latte traditionally is larger.

Caffè latte is often served in a large glass while cappuccino mostly in a small cup (usually a 5-ounce cup) with a handle. Cappuccino traditionally has a layer of textured milk microfoam exceeding 0.4 inches (1 centimeter) in thickness.

What's in a Name?

In Italian, cappuccino means "little cap," which perfectly describes the head of foamed milk that sits atop the drink's espresso base.

It also allegedly derives from a religious sartorial inspiration. With their iconic brown hooded cowls and shaved heads, the monks of the Capuchin order are a pretty close human resemblance to the ring of crema and white foam that tops the classic beverage. An offshoot of the Franciscan Catholic order, these friars struck out on their own in 1520, adopting the coffee-colored cloak, or cappuccino, as an imitative sign of gratitude to the Benedictine Camaldolese monks, who offered Capuchins refuge while they dodged persecution from church officials.

When expertly poured so that a circle of white is perfectly encircled by the darker coffee, the design on a "traditional" cappuccino is called a monk's head.