How to Froth Milk for Coffee

In addition to the espresso, the milk is often the other half of the equation for a great coffee beverage. Frothing milk is a skill that takes time to master, but it is well worth the effort. Here is how I froth milk for my coffee beverages.

Tech Stack

• Milk frother. There are many different types. I use a handheld one, but there are also steam wands on espresso machines and automatic frothers.
• Milk frothing pitcher. A small metal pitcher to froth the milk in. Also, if you have a handheld frother, heat the milk in this pitcher.

Variables

• Milk The amount of milk will vary based on the type of beverage you are making. I will link to some of my recipes below. I use whole milk, but you can use any kind you like.

Executables

The following steps will vary depending on the frother you are using.

Handheld Frother

1. Pour cold milk into a steaming pitcher.
2. Heat milk between 150°F and 160°F (65°C and 70°C). I usually heat the milk on the stove, but you can also use a microwave.
3. Turn on the frother, and submerge it just below the surface of the milk. This will incorporate air into the milk, creating foam.
4. After 10 seconds, lower the frother further into the milk at a slight angle. This will create a whirlpool effect, and help incorporate air into the milk.
5. Continue frothing until the milk reaches the desired temperature and texture, usually another 10 - 20 seconds.
6. Swirl the milk gently to ensure even heating and a smooth texture.
7. Tap the pitcher on the counter to remove any large bubbles.

Steam Wand

1. Pour cold milk into a steaming pitcher.
2. Submerge the steam wand tip just below the surface of the milk.
3. Open the steam valve and allow air to be incorporated into the milk, creating foam.
4. Lower the steam wand tip further into the milk to heat it while continuing to create microfoam.
5. Aim for a final temperature of around 150-160°F (60-70°C).
6. Swirl the milk gently to ensure even heating and a smooth texture.
7. Tap the pitcher on the counter to remove any large bubbles.
8. Pour the steamed milk into the espresso to create a latte.

Other Frothers

Several other types of frothers exist on the market, including automatic frothers and frothing pitchers. I do not have experience with these, so I recommend following the manufacturer's instructions for the best results.

Console

We should now have silky smooth milk foam for our coffee beverages. Why all the fuss? I am not much of a texture person when it comes to food and drink --if you fall into the same camp, there are two reasons it might be worth your trouble: 1. If you are an aspiring latte artist, proper texture is key to pouring latte art. 2. The steaming of your milk does change the flavor. Lactose (the natural sugar in milk) breaks down into simpler, sweeter, sugars.

One final note: Getting a feel for the right texture of the milk will take time, especially if you are trying to pour latte art. If it does not come out right the first time, do not despair. It took me a few months to get the hang of it.

Enjoy!