Everyone loves cappuccino or latte accompanied by a warm and full-bodied foam. The milk frother is a very effective tool for preparing macchiato and mocaccino like at the bar. This article explains how to choose, prepare, froth and serve milk so that you can enjoy sophisticated drinks at home.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Choose and Prepare the Milk
Step 1. Buy some fresh milk
Check the expiration date of the milk before buying it. Choose a product that is far from the expiration date. When it is not very fresh, the milk contains higher quantities of glycerol, a natural compound that prevents the frothed milk from maintaining a thick and full-bodied foam.
Step 2. Use skim milk if you are a beginner
During the learning process, prefer skim milk to whole milk or milk with a higher fat content. The chemical structure of skimmed milk allows the foam to be better maintained at room temperature.
You can also try a little trick. Make the drink with the milk of your choice, then garnish it with the froth you made with the skim milk. Help yourself with a spoon to place the foam on the top of the drink
Step 3. Pour the milk into the carafe of the manual milk frother
Fill the carafe or other container only one-third full (in case you are using an electric milk frother). This will give the milk enough room to expand during the procedure.
Step 4. Let the milk cool
Put the jug in the fridge to let the milk cool. This step is particularly important for those who use UHT milk, which is not usually kept in the fridge. Dip a spoonful into the milk after 30 minutes to test the temperature on your wrist. Remove the milk from the fridge once it feels cool to the touch.
- Hot milk can be frothed, but less foam will form. It is best to froth the milk and then reheat it if you prefer the foam to be warm and full-bodied.
- It is not necessary to cool the milk to a particular temperature.
Method 2 of 4: Whipping the Milk by Hand
Step 1. Adjust the milk frother lid
Check the edge of the carafe to make sure it fits snugly into the bowl and that there are no gaps between the lid and the carafe. When the cap is placed incorrectly, there is a risk of spilling the liquid.
Step 2. Move the handle up and down repeatedly for 30 seconds
Hold the jug firmly with your non-dominant hand, while with your dominant hand repeatedly move the plunger down and up into the milk. As foam forms, it may be necessary to exert more force, but this is normal.
Step 3. Check the consistency of the foam
Lift the lid off the jug and look at the milk. Some people like it only slightly frothy, while others prefer it to have a thick foam. Repeat the process explained in the previous step for another 30 seconds if the milk has not reached the desired consistency.
Do not process the milk for more than one minute in total. Working it for longer than necessary can cause the bubbles that have formed to break
Step 4. Remove the lid from the jug
Tap the whisk located at the bottom of the plunger on the rim of the jug to remove excess foam inside the container.
Step 5. Shake the carafe once in a circular motion
Then, hit the bottom of the jug once on the kitchen counter to remove excessively large bubbles. The foam will subside slightly, this is normal. At this point the milk will be ready to be heated and served.
Method 3 of 4: Using an Electric Beater
Step 1. Hold the whisk handle vertically, with the top inside the milk
Make sure the top of the handle is completely submerged in the milk, then turn on the whisk.
Set the beater to maximum if it has multiple speed settings
Step 2. Rotate the whisk in the milk
Make a circular motion for 30 seconds. When you start frothing the milk, hold the top of the whisk near the bottom of the jug. You will see that bubbles will begin to form.
Step 3. Now, move the whisk up and down for another 30 seconds
Constantly keep the top of the whisk under the surface of the milk to avoid splashing it. The milk will become even more frothy in the last 30 seconds. Turn off the whisk.
Step 4. Tap the whisk on the side of the container to remove excess foam
The froth created by the electric whisk is less dense, so avoid shaking or tapping the jug. The milk will then be ready to be heated and served.
Method 4 of 4: Heat and Serve the Foam
Step 1. Heat the milk in the microwave for 30-40 seconds
Gently pour it into a microwave-safe container if the jug is made of metal. Instead, put it directly in the oven if it is designed for the microwave. Check the milk every 30 seconds until it reaches the desired temperature.
Overheating milk can cause it to burn, altering its flavor. Avoid bringing it to a boil
Step 2. Remove the milk from the microwave
Wear an oven mitt or use a tea towel to remove the container from the oven. Since the milk is hot, handle it carefully to avoid burning yourself.
Step 3. Use a spoon to remove the foam and place it on the drink of your choice
In case you also want to add hot milk to the coffee (in addition to the froth), slowly pour the frothed milk into the cup, so as not to spoil the froth.
Handling milk with care helps prevent it from losing any bubbles that have formed
Advice
- Handle hot drinks with care to avoid getting burned.
- Manual milk frothers are more demanding than electric ones, but they allow you to exercise more control over the final result.
- Vegetable milk, such as soy, rice and almond milk, usually does not whip as effectively as cow's milk.
