How to Steam and Froth Milk

A Key Step to Creating a Coffeehouse-Style Beverage at Home

Dec 23, 2008
Megan B. Wyatt

Creating froth - flickr

Ever wanted to make a coffeehouse-style beverage but didn't know how to steam and/or froth the milk? Here's how to heat milk, create froth, and keep from burning milk.

Ever wanted to make a cappuccino, latte, or cafe au lait but didn't know how to steam and/or froth the milk? Here's everything you need to know from creating froth to keeping milk from burning.

The Type of Milk

Standard lattes and cappuccinos at most coffeehouses use 2% milk, but any kind of milk will work. The thicker the milk, the easier it is to create great foam or froth, which is vital to the perfect cappuccino. The use of skim milk makes a coffeehouse beverage skinny, and the use of half-and-half makes one breve.

How to Steam the Milk

For a 12 ounce latte or cappuccino, pour about 10 ounces of milk (use less for a cafe au lait which is only about one-third steamed milk) into a stainless steel steaming pitcher with a food thermometer, and place the steaming wand tip at the surface of the milk.

Turn the dial counterclockwise to begin heating the milk. Raise the steaming wand tip just above the surface of the milk to create froth. A light hissing sound is the key to making the perfect froth, which should have the consistency of shaving cream.

How Much Froth to Make

For a cappuccino, a lot of foam is necessary because about one-third of the drink is froth, so create froth through the entire heating process.

For a latte or cafe au lait, only a spoonful or two of froth is needed, so after creating a little froth, the milk wand may be inserted further into the milk for the rest of the heating process.

The Temperature of the Milk

Turn the steamer off once the milk has reached 150-160 degrees. This will allow the milk some room to rise to 170 degrees or drop to 140 degrees, both acceptable temperatures. Be sure to wipe the steaming wand with a clean, damp cloth immediately after steaming milk.

Be sure not to burn the milk. Once milk has reached a temperature of 180 degrees, the milk is considered burnt and should not be used.

Adding the Milk to a Coffee Beverage

Allow the steamed milk to separate from the froth for about a minute. Use a spoon to hold back the froth while pouring into the mug or cup.

For a cappuccino, pour until the cup is one-third full then spoon the same amount of froth on top. For a latte, pour until the cup is nearly full, adding only a spoon or two of froth on top. For a cafe au lait, add the steamed milk to a cup of coffee filled two-thirds full and spoon a little froth on top.

Remember to be careful when steaming milk to keep from burning yourself. Always watch the temperature of the milk, especially skim milk which heats quicker than other kinds.