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Coffee Milk Frothing
How to make frothy milk and milk foam for coffee drinks.
Published December 17, 2021
Jennie Backteman
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
If you want to make milk-based espresso drinks at home like lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos, you’re going to need to know how to make frothed milk. This is usually done with a steam wand, but the good news is that if you don’t have an expensive espresso machine with a steam wand to make frothed milk, there are several things that you can do to get the same effect with inexpensive methods.
Using a Steam Wand to Froth Milk
If you have an espresso machine at home, then it will likely come with a steam wand that is designed for creating the frothy, steamed milk that you want for your coffee. The good news is that it is fairly easy to froth milk using a steam wand. The steam wand will usually hang off the side of your espresso machine, where it can be used to force steam into your milk and gently use pressure to warm it up while adding air to the milk, which creates the foam. To froth the milk, you will need a metal coffee milk pitcher. These are known as barista milk-frothing jugs and you can find milk pitchers for sale available to buy both online and in stores. They are designed to be the ideal depth for steam wands and have a long handle that makes the pitcher easy to hold and control.
The exact method for frothing milk that you will use will vary based on the drink you’re making. However, there are some basics that you will need to cover no matter what milk-based espresso drink you want to make. For the best results, you will need to start with really cold milk. The steps include:
- Get your ingredients together
- Pour cold milk into a small metal pitcher
- Place the pitcher underneath the steam wand and insert the wand just below the surface of the milk
- Turn on the steam wand and adjust the dial for a steady stream of steam
- Create a vortex in the milk while keeping the tip of the steam wand close to the side of the pitcher
- Move the pitcher around the wand and up and down. This will add air to the milk to break up any larger bubbles and create a silky smooth foam
- The milk should increase substantially in size. You will want to achieve around one and a half times the original volume for a latte, and around double the volume for a cappuccino. Once you have achieved this, shut off the steam wand and remove it.
- Clean the steam wand immediately using a clean towel or cloth to avoid milk drippings and prevent milk residue from burning to the wand.
- Pour the foamed milk into your coffee straight away.
Choosing the Right Milk
While it’s commonly considered to be whole milk that is best for producing milk foam, this is not always true. This is because while the milk is creamy and smooth, the fat will weigh down the air bubbles leading to a result that is not as tightly packed compared to what you’d get if using skim or non-fat milk. 2% milk is another option that will provide you with good milk froth, but lactose-free milk is not always ideal as they do not have the proteins that will hold the air bubbles together. You can also froth plant milks like coconut, soy, almond, and rice milk, but ultimately, it’s down to your personal preferences when it comes to which you decide to use. Spend some time experimenting with different types of milk to find the one that is easiest for you to work with when using your barista pitcher and steam wand and produces the results that you want.
Choosing the Right Milk Pitcher
Once you have the steam wand and the right milk to make your drink, you are going to need a decent espresso milk jug to get the results that you want. While you can steam milk in most types of jugs, you are unlikely to get the best results with a jug that is not designed with steaming milk for coffee in mind. The best barista milk jug will be easy to handle and made from a material such as stainless steel to keep the milk insulated and at the correct temperature after steaming. You will also find that a barista pitcher will be just the right size for your steam wand, making it easier for you to insert the wand to froth and steam your milk, without milk getting everywhere.
Basic Milk Jug Requirements
When choosing a milk jug for making coffee, the width of the jug is the most important thing to consider. You should choose a jug that is wide enough for you to create a whirlpool effect when steaming milk, which creates microfoam by breaking down the larger bubbles.
You will also need to consider the size of the jug. Most come in either 12oz or 20oz, although you can find them smaller or larger depending on your needs. The base width should be similar for both jug capacities, so this option is generally down to how much coffee you’ll be making.
The material that the jug is made from is another key factor to keep in mind when choosing the right one for you. High-quality stainless steel is the best option to go for since not only is it durable and easy to keep clean, but it is also designed to keep the temperature of the milk consistent when steaming it. However, one thing to bear in mind about stainless steel milk jugs is that they do heat up with the milk. This can make it easier to check the temperature using your hand, but if you are uncomfortable doing this and prefer to use a thermometer to check your milk temperature, you can find stainless steel jugs with a Teflon coating or similar to keep your hands from getting burned.
Finally, consider the spout of your milk pitcher. The type of spout that you are looking for will generally vary depending on the type of coffee drinks that you want to make. If you are interested in giving latte art a try, for example, some spout designs will be easier to use compared to others. A classic spout pitcher is ideal for making basic latte art designs like tulips and hearts, but if you want to try more intricate designs such as a rosetta, peacock, or swan in your lattes, then you should go for a jug with a sharper, narrower spout.
Easy Ways to Froth Milk Without a Steam Wand
If you don’t have a steam wand and want to make some frothed milk for your coffee, then there are several ways that you can do this from the comfort of your home using tools that you might already have in your kitchen already. These include:
Mason Jar
If you have a clean jar with a lid such as a mason jar, you can easily use this to make your own frothy milk for coffees at home. It’s a simple method that involves adding warm milk to the jar, tightly screwing on the lid, and then shaking it. When you shake the jar, air will be added to the milk, making it frothy and foamy. It’s important to leave some room when filling the jar with milk since milk expands as air is added.
Electric Mixer
Using an electric mixer is often easier and will create a better froth compared to the mason jar method. A hand mixer is the best choice for this job and use warm milk that isn’t too hot before starting. Whisk the milk at a low speed until it becomes as frothy as you want it.
French Press
If you make your coffee in a French Press, the good news is that you can also use this coffee maker to froth the milk without buying any additional expensive equipment. All you need to do is add the warm milk to your coffee press and leave some room for the milk to expand. Hold the lid down and vigorously raise and lower the plunger into the press. Keep doing this until the milk becomes as frothy as you would like, before allowing it to rest for around one minute. Then it will be ready to pour into your coffee.
Frothing Wand
If you do not have an espresso machine at home but still want to make frothy, steamed milk for your coffees, a frothing wand can be a great alternative to consider. They are easy to use, affordable, and are made for the purpose of frothing milk. Begin by warming up the milk before immersing the frother into the milk and powering it up. Whisk the frother around to create a swirl in the milk and stop once the milk is as frothy as you want it.
If you want to make delicious lattes and cappuccinos at home, learning how to froth and steam milk is an important first step.
About the author
Jennie Backteman
I´m a ultramarathon runner, landscape designer and a coffee lover.
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