Milk frothing secrets: how to froth milk and the best milk to froth

Let’s be honest: milk froth can make or break your favourite cup of coffee. Many would argue that the froth is the best part of their cappuccino or latte. The sweet, light, creamy taste combined with the strong, rich taste of the espresso makes for a perfect combination. That’s why understanding how to froth milk and knowing the best type of milk for frothing is essential if you want to make your own coffee and milk drinks at home.

This article will help you learn how to make frothy milk yourself. Once you master the art, you’ll become your own barista in no time. From discovering which milk froths best to learning how to foam milk by hand or with a fully automatic machine, read on and discover each different method, so that you never miss out on this essential coffee layer in your cappuccino, latte, or macchiato.

Which milk can you use to create milk foam for your coffee?

When it comes to frothing, not all milks are created equal. Different types will give you different milk foam results, and there are certain milk types that foam better than others. Below are the different varieties you can try when learning how to froth milk at home.

• Lactose-free milk: Out of all the types, lactose-free milk doesn’t froth as well as the others. This is in part due to its specific pasteurisation process.
• Nut milk: Nut milks, such as almond, froth well. However, you will need to keep in mind that they lose their bubbles quickly, since their protein structures are unable to support the bubbles.
• Skimmed milk: Skimmed milk creates the largest bubbles and is the easiest milk for beginners to learn how to make milk foam. With no fat in this milk, the foam creates a light and airy consistency. The only downside is that it doesn’t have as much flavour as other milk types.
• Semi-skimmed milk: Like skimmed milk, semi-skimmed foams easily and is a great milk for beginners to practice with. It’s also creamier than skimmed milk, giving it a richer taste.
• Whole milk: While whole milk is a bit more challenging to froth due to its fat content, this milk type produces the richest-tasting foam.

Choosing the best milk to froth: What to use for a cappuccino or latte

So, what’s the best milk to froth? The short answer is, ‘it depends’. It depends both on your priorities (foam or taste) and also on the type of beverage you’re making.

To make a cappuccino

• You can use skimmed, semi-skimmed or whole milk, organic, lactose-free and nut milks to achieve a great froth.
• If you’re a beginner, skimmed or semi-skimmed milk might be your best option for easy frothing. But as far as taste goes, whole milk tends to be the best type of milk for frothing.

To make a latte
 

• The milk types which are best for steaming ready for your latte include skimmed, semi-skimmed, whole, organic, and lactose-free milk.
• However, you can also use dairy-free milks, such as soy, almond, oat, and coconut for a delicious latte.