What is a Cream Cap at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf?

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is a popular coffee shop chain known for its diverse drink menu full of unique beverage creations One distinctive offering you may see on the menu is the option to add a “cream cap” topping to select chilled drinks. But what exactly is a cream cap at The Coffee Bean, and what makes it different than regular whipped cream?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the cream cap, including how it’s made, which drinks you can add it to, its texture and taste, and why Coffee Bean customers love this special frothy topping.

What is a Cream Cap?

A cream cap refers to the layer of frothed milk or foam that can be added to the top of cold Coffee Bean drinks like iced coffees, teas, matchas, and blended creations. It provides a smooth, frothy finish that adds texture and balances sweetness.

The cream cap gets its name from the cap-like layer of foam it creates on top of beverages. Baristas make the cream cap by steaming or frothing milk until it takes on a thick, creamy texture then spooning it carefully over the finished drink. The foam cap is approximately 0.5 to 1 inch thick.

Unlike typical whipped cream toppings, the cream cap contains little to no air incorporated into the milk. This makes for a silky, cohesive foam that holds its shape rather than deflating. The denser foam also means the cream cap offers a more substantial, frothy texture compared to light whipped cream.

Why Do People Order a Cream Cap?

There are a few reasons Coffee Bean customers opt to add a cream cap to their iced drinks:

Texture – The luscious froth provides a smooth, creamy complement to the cold beverage underneath.
Flavor balance – The milk foam helps mellow out sweetness and fruit flavors
Temperature maintenance – The insulating layer helps keep cold drinks colder for longer
Appearance – The capped foam is visually appealing floating on vibrant cold beverages.
Luxury feel – The cream cap makes basic drinks feel elevated and special.

The cream cap adds an extra level of enjoyment through its indulgent texture and taste.

What Drinks Can You Add a Cream Cap To?

While the cream cap pairs best with certain cold espresso and tea beverages, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf offers it as an add-on option for almost any iced drink. Some popular items to get a cream cap on include:

Iced coffee
Iced americano
Iced mocha
Iced matcha latte
Iced tea lattes
Frozen blended drinks
Cold brew coffee
Chillers like the Cookie Butter Chiller

Next time you order an iced Coffee Bean beverage, consider asking your barista to finish it with a luxurious layer of cream cap foam.

How is the Cream Cap Made?

Crafting the perfect cream cap requires some skill on the barista’s part. Here is a summary of the process:

Milk (usually 2%) is steamed or frothed to form a thick, smooth foam.
The foam is spooned over the finished cold drink, about 1 inch deep.
A spoon or knife helps create clean edges and a domed shape.
For color contrast, cocoa powder or matcha powder may be dusted on top.

Getting the right foam texture and thickness takes practice. Well-made cream caps maintain their shape without sinking into the drink below.

What Does the Cream Cap Taste Like?

Since it’s made from steamed milk, the cream cap has a rich but mild dairy flavor. It tastes similar to the milk foam in a cappuccino. The creamy foam mellows and balances the sweetness of many Coffee Bean drink recipes.

The foam itself has a smooth, velvety texture that lends a luxurious mouthfeel. It provides a nice contrast to the icy cold drink under the cap. Overall, the cream cap adds a subtle sweetness and dairy note that complements both coffee and tea flavors.

Cream Cap vs. Whipped Cream: What’s the Difference?

While it may look similar at first glance, the cream cap actually differs significantly from regular whipped cream:

Air content – Whipped cream incorporates a lot of air while the cream cap has minimal air.
Consistency – Whipped cream is light and billowy while the cream cap is dense and thick.
Texture – Cream caps have a smooth, velvety texture compared to whipped cream’s fluffiness.
Mouthfeel – The cream cap offers richer mouthfeel and thickness.
Flavor – Whipped cream tends to be sweeter while cream caps provide more subtle dairy flavor.
Composition – Cream caps are made from steamed milk while whipped cream contains cream and sugar.

So while both toppings look visually similar, the cream cap offers a uniquely smooth, frothy texture and taste.

Tips for Ordering a Cream Cap Drink

To get the most enjoyment out of a Coffee Bean drink with a cream cap, here are some useful ordering tips:

Stick to cold drinks – it won’t work well on hot beverages.
Consider less sweet options to let the cream cap balance flavors.
Request drinks without whipped cream if substituting a cream cap.
Ask for an extra thick layer of foam if you really love the cream cap effect.
Spoon through the cap to mix the foam into the drink as you go.
Drink it soon before the foam starts to deflate or melt into the beverage.
For maximum indulgence, order an extra cream cap on the side to top off your drink as needed!

Popular Cream Capped Coffee Bean Drink Recipes

Some of the tastiest Coffee Bean drinks to get with a cream cap include:

Iced caramel macchiato – Espresso, vanilla syrup, milk, caramel drizzle, and cream cap.
Iced mocha – Chocolate sauce, espresso, milk over ice topped with cream cap.
Iced grasshopper – Mint syrup, white chocolate sauce, milk, and cream cap finish.
Iced matcha latte – Sweetened matcha concentrate over ice with cream cap.
Cold brew float – Sweet cold brew with a layer of cream cap “ice cream”.
Mango freeze – This fruity, yogurt-based blended drink is perfectly balanced by the rich cream cap.

The options are endless for cold Coffee Bean beverages that can be elevated with a cap of creamy, smooth foam.

Does Adding a Cream Cap Cost Extra?

Coffee Bean’s standard pricing is to charge an additional $.50 to $1 for adding a cream cap topping to your drink. Since it requires extra milk frothing and effort from the barista, the upcharge is understandable. But it’s a minimal cost to treat yourself to that extra layer of foam luxury!

The Verdict: Should You Order a Cream Cap or Not?

If you love indulgent, creamy textures and enjoy a frothier, more muted sweetness, then the Coffee Bean cream cap is a must-try special addition! The subtle milkiness paired with luscious foam takes standard iced drinks up a notch. While not necessary, it can make basic cold brews or teas feel like a sensational treat. With its minimal cost yet impactful enhancement, saying “yes” to the cream cap will satisfy any foam fanatic. Just sit back, spoon through its velvety topping, and savor the experience!

what is a cream cap at coffee bean
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Tasting New Cardamom Cold Brew From The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

FAQ

What are the four types of coffee?

The four main coffee types are Arabica, Robusta, Excelsa, and Liberica and all four of them have radically different taste profiles.

Why do people add cream to coffee?

Adding heavy whipping cream to your coffee will cut through any bitterness and astringency to produce a velvety mouthfeel and a creamier taste. You can use heavy cream instead of creamer, and since it’s a natural product, it will have fewer chemicals and preservatives, making it an arguably better choice.

How much cream to put in coffee?

As a general guideline, you can start with one to two tablespoons of heavy cream per cup of coffee and adjust to your liking. Keep in mind that heavy cream is much richer and higher in calories than milk or half-and-half, so it’s best to use it in moderation.

Can you put double cream in coffee?

Absolutely, heavy whipping cream is a delicious substitute for half-and-half or skimmed milk in coffee! Not only will it make your cup of joe even creamier because of its high-fat content, but you can also use it to whip up an indulgent topping that isn’t possible with plain milk.

Which coffee beans make the perfect Crema?

In terms of the type of beans that create the perfect crema, that is hands down Robusta beans. Robusta coffees are known for creating lots of crema when they’re used, but Robusta coffee is also known for adding too much bitterness to the brew.

Why does coffee have a layer of Crema?

That carbon dioxide moves through the coffee, along with some of the tasty oils stored inside the beans, resulting in a layer of crema on top of your beverage. But there is a limit. The darker roasts will create less crema because their natural oils tend to rub off during the shipping and handling process.

What are the best coffee beans to use?

The best coffee beans to use are those that are naturally processed, or dry processed. This will give you an espresso shot with a better layer of crema than wet process, or washed, beans. This happens because natural process methods leave more of the coffee beans’ oils intact.

How do you know if espresso beans are good?

The best bet for you is to look for espresso coffee beans. The longer a bean is roasted, the more carbon dioxide it will contain. That carbon dioxide moves through the coffee, along with some of the tasty oils stored inside the beans, resulting in a layer of crema on top of your beverage. But there is a limit.