Mom: (Watching Dad make a cappuccino) Wow, honey! That cappuccino looks so beautiful. And the foam on top is perfect!
Dad: (Proudly smiles) Of course! I’ve been practicing all week with our new coffee maker. Do you want to learn how to make one?
Mom: Yes, please! I love how it looks—and I bet it tastes even better.
Dad: Oh, it does! Alright, let me teach you. A good cappuccino has three layers: espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. First, take about 8 to 10 grams of coffee grounds and put them in the portafilter. Then, use the tamper to press it down firmly.
Mom: Got it! Pressing firmly—like this?
Dad: (Laughs) Not that hard! You don’t need to crush the coffee. Just press it evenly. Now, lock it into the machine and press the button to extract 30ml of espresso.
Mom: (Presses the button and watches the espresso flow) Ooh, it smells amazing! What’s next?
Dad: Now, the milk! Pour 120ml of cold fresh milk into this stainless steel pitcher. Keep the steam wand just under the surface, about one centimeter deep, and start frothing for 10 to 15 seconds.
Mom: (Holding the pitcher carefully) Whoa, it’s making a hissing sound!
Dad: That’s the steam doing its magic. Keep frothing until the milk reaches about 55–60°C. Then, stop.
Mom: How do I know if it’s the right temperature?
Dad: (Grins) If you can touch the pitcher but it feels hot—like you’re holding my hand after I’ve had coffee—it’s ready!
Mom: (Giggles) That’s a sweet way to explain it.
Dad: Now, gently tilt the espresso cup and pour the milk in slowly, swirling it a little to create a nice pattern.
Mom: (Pouring carefully) This looks like art! I feel like a barista!
Dad: (Nods) That’s the spirit! And now, your favorite part—chocolate! Sprinkle some cocoa powder on top. Since I know you’re a chocolate fan, go ahead and add extra.
Mom: (Sprinkling generously) More chocolate, more love! But wait—when do I add sugar?
Dad: (Laughs) Ahh! I almost forgot. You and your sweet tooth! You can add sugar to the espresso before pouring the milk, or just stir it in at the end.
Mom: (Takes a sip) Mmm, this is amazing! I feel like I’m learning from a professional barista.
Dad: (Winks) Well, I am your personal coffee expert. Anytime you need a cappuccino, just call me!
Mom: Nah, I think I’ll practice and surprise you with a perfect cup next time!
Dad: I can’t wait! Just don’t make it too sweet, or I’ll know you put in five spoons of sugar.
Mom: (Laughs) No promises!
Vocabulary List
- Espresso – A strong, concentrated coffee brewed by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee.
- Cappuccino – A coffee drink made with espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam.
- Milk foam – The frothy, airy milk created by steaming.
- Portafilter – The handle that holds the coffee grounds in an espresso machine.
- Tamper – A tool used to press coffee grounds evenly into the portafilter.
- Steam wand – A part of the coffee machine that steams and froths milk.
- Frothing – The process of steaming milk to create foam.
- Barista – A person who prepares and serves coffee drinks.
- Cocoa powder – Finely ground chocolate used for sprinkling on coffee.
- Sweet tooth – A strong liking for sweet foods.
Grammar Tip: Using “Let” to Give Instructions
In English, we use “let” to suggest doing something together or to give gentle instructions.
Examples:
✅ “Let me teach you how to make a cappuccino.”
✅ “Let’s start by making the espresso.”
✅ “Let the milk foam for about 10–15 seconds.”
FILL IN THE BLANK
Mom: "Wow, honey! That cappuccino looks so beautiful. And the foam on top is !"
Dad: "(Proudly smiles) Of course! I’ve been practicing all week with our new coffee . Do you want to learn how to make one?"
Mom: "Yes, please! I love how it looks—and I bet it tastes even ."
Dad: "Oh, it does! Alright, let me teach you. A good cappuccino has three layers: , steamed milk, and milk foam. First, take about 8 to 10 grams of coffee grounds and put them in the ."
Mom: "Got it! Pressing firmly—like this?"
Dad: "(Laughs) Not that hard! You don’t need to crush the coffee. Just press it evenly. Now, lock it into the machine and press the button to extract 30ml of ."
Mom: "(Presses the button and watches the espresso flow) Ooh, it smells amazing! What’s next?"
Dad: "Now, the ! Pour 120ml of cold fresh milk into this stainless steel pitcher. Keep the steam wand just under the surface, about one centimeter deep, and start frothing for 10 to 15 seconds."
Mom: "(Holding the pitcher carefully) Whoa, it’s making a hissing sound!"
Dad: "That’s the steam doing its magic. Keep frothing until the milk reaches about 55–60°C. Then, stop."
Mom: "How do I know if it’s the right temperature?"
Dad: "(Grins) If you can touch the pitcher but it feels —like you’re holding my hand after I’ve had coffee—it’s ready!"
Mom: "(Giggles) That’s a sweet way to explain it."
Dad: "Now, gently tilt the espresso cup and pour the milk in slowly, swirling it a little to create a nice ."
Mom: "(Pouring carefully) This looks like art! I feel like a barista!"
Dad: "(Nods) That’s the spirit! And now, your favorite part—! Sprinkle some cocoa powder on top. Since I know you’re a chocolate fan, go ahead and add extra."
Mom: "(Sprinkling generously) More chocolate, more love! But wait—when do I add ?"
Dad: "(Laughs) Ahh! I almost forgot. You and your sweet tooth! You can add sugar to the espresso before pouring the milk, or just stir it in at the end."
Mom: "(Takes a sip) Mmm, this is amazing! I feel like I’m learning from a professional ."
Dad: "(Winks) Well, I am your personal coffee expert. Anytime you need a cappuccino, just call me!"
Mom: "Nah, I think I’ll practice and surprise you with a perfect cup next time!"
Dad: "I can’t wait! Just don’t make it too sweet, or I’ll know you put in five spoons of ."
Mom: "(Laughs) No promises!"