Some people like their coffee straight with no frills, others have to have that warm, bubbly milk to go with. If you’re in the second camp, you may want the convenience and affordability of having your own milk frother at home. With a milk steamer or frother (or combo), some coffee and select flavored syrups you can easily make the coffee shop drink of your choice right in your own kitchen for less than half the cost.
Why should I use milk frothers?
If you’re wondering just how these little handheld wands can create delectable beverages, you’re not alone. By adding aerated milk to your drink, you can create a lighter and smoother taste thanks to the tiny bubbles created by the frother. You may notice that your favorite coffee shop uses a milk steamer that’s typically connected to the espresso machine. You can gain the same effect with a milk steamer or frother and steamer combo, but most steamers tend to be more expensive. If you opt to go with just a milk frother, you can simply heat your milk up on the stove beforehand.
What kind of milk frother is best?
Most milk frothers look like a wand, but others resemble a pot or French press. All three are effective ways to create a fancy drink, but each style has its own set of pros and cons.
• Wand: This design is similar to an immersion blender and features a handle connected to a small whisk. Wand-style frothers are typically inexpensive and battery powered, though they don’t offer as many features as pot or manual styles. Be sure to only clean your wand by hand and don’t put it in the dishwasher.
• Pot: This style typically features extra options that your wand style won’t have, such as a heating function. With this style, a centrifuge inside the pot churns the milk to aerate it. Pot-style frothers are more expensive than wand types, and some include parts that can be removed and cleaned in the dishwasher.
• French press (manual): Just a like a French press, a manual-style milk frother features a mesh screen that you push up and down into the canister and through the milk to create tiny bubbles. These are typically dishwasher safe.
How do I make a latte, macchiato or cappuccino with my milk frother?
Once your milk frother arrives, it’s time to get to work creating mouthwatering beverages. Try your hand at one of these three classics or experiment with flavored syrups and different flavored coffees to make the drink of your dreams.
• Latte: Featuring coffee on the bottom and a large dose of steamed milk topped with foam, a latte is super customizable and delicious. Start by filling your cup with warm, aerated milk until it’s two-thirds of the way full. Next, add your coffee or espresso on top, leaving up to an inch of room for the milk foam topping.
• Cappuccino: This drink is divided into thirds: 1/3 milk, 1/3 coffee or espresso and 1/3 foam. First, fill your cup up one-third of the way with coffee or espresso. Next, add your aerated and steamed milk, then top it off with foam.
• Macchiato: Turn your latte upside down with a macchiato. You can make one by pouring your coffee or espresso into your cup until it’s about 1/3 full. Then add 2/3 warm aerated milk, leaving up to an inch of room at the top for some foam.
