If you’re new to espresso drinks, you might be wondering why do you froth milk for coffee? There’s all kinds of equipment to help you do it and tips for perfecting your froth, but what’s the point? Any barista will tell you that it’s because it really is essential for everything from lattes to cortados.
The process transforms the texture and taste to add creaminess and enhance sweetness in a manner impossible to do any other way. Let’s learn why, how, and what drinks it’s best for.
What does frothing milk do for coffee?
Frothing milk is a relatively simple process that does a lot for your morning espresso. When you froth milk, it means your incorporating air and heat into it. The bubbles this creates are smaller and more structurally sound than those created only by air and this process creates what’s known as microfoam. Microfoam is smoother and silkier than regular milk.
Frothing also breaks down the complex sugars that exist naturally in milk and turns them into simple sugars. These simple sugars literally taste sweeter, enhancing the flavor of your drink. It’s what gives cappuccinos and lattes their smoothness and takes the bite off the edge of the espresso.
Can you froth any kind of milk?
Yes and no. Any kind of milk (more or less) can be frothed, but some will work much better than others. Let’s start by looking specifically at dairy milks first. Most coffee shops will have a choice between whole or skim milk, and the truth is they do froth a little differently! Whole milk is the gold standard for espresso drinks.
It has the perfect fat content and the help of milk’s stabilizing proteins to get you the perfect microfoam every single time. Skim milk by its nature has less fat, which does mean it’s a little harder to get the same quality of microfoam you can get with whole milk. In general, its microfoam tends to be a little looser and it may take slightly longer to develop.
But you can also froth non-dairy milks. Let’s run through a few of the most popular options and what you need to know:
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Soy milk: readily available almost anywhere, froth it as you would a dairy milk, but be careful not to overheat it lest it scald which can give it a grainy texture
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Oat milk: the new frontrunner in nondairy milks, especially when it comes to coffee drinks, it will take longer to froth and have looser foam, but its natural sweetness works well with espresso
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Coconut milk: be careful not to use coconut water or default to canned coconut milk as neither will get you the best results; it has a natural fattyness that makes it extra creamy, but it also can’t hold microfoam as well as dairy
Whichever nondairy milk you choose, though, definitely opt for a barista blend! Barista blend milks contain fats, sugars, and stabilizers that the traditional versions don’t have. These are designed specifically to help the milk froth and foam better for lattes and cappuccinos and more.
What is frothed milk used for?
Frothed milk is great for your morning coffee of course, but it’s good for more than that, too! This quick rundown will discuss some of the best ways to put your milk-frothing skills to use.
Espresso-Based Coffee Drinks
Espresso-based drinks are likely what drew you to ask why you froth milk for coffee in the first place. Having a healthy layer of foam is crucial for many drinks, but these are a few of the most popular:
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Cappuccinos: equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and microfoam, this is your classic foamed coffee drink
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Lattes: around 10 oz. of steamed milk with a thin layer of foam on top with 2 oz. espresso is the standard ratio; stable microfoam is essential for latte art, which you can make with precision milk jugs
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Macchiatos: espresso topped with a dollop of foam on top so getting it perfectly frothed is crucial because it needs to be scoopable
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Cortados: equal parts espresso and steamed milk; the foam here is minimal
Non-Coffee Beverages
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Hot Chocolate: frothed milk creates a smoother, creamier texture, giving your cocoa a restaurant quality
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Matcha Lattes & Chai Lattes: airy milk helps balance strong tea flavors and can add subtle sweetness without the need for extra sugar
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Golden Milk & Other Herbal Lattes: enhances warmth and richness
Culinary & Dessert Uses
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Frothed Milk for Baking: used in soufflés, pancakes, and creamy desserts
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Foamy Toppings for Shakes & Cocktails: adds a velvety finish to creative drinks like simple milkshakes or cocktails like white russians and irish coffee
Get the perfect pour with Pesado
Stop wondering why you froth milk for coffee drinks and start doing it to see just how quickly it elevates your morning java. It’s the perfect way to start getting that cafe experience right in your own home — just make sure you have all the right gear to make it happen.
Pesado’s collection of professional-quality espresso accessories includes everything from distribution tools and portafilters to precision milk jugs perfect for perfecting your latte art. See everything they have to offer and upgrade your setup today.
