Learning how to froth milk at home is one of those minor steps that goes a long way toward making you feel like your kitchen is your new favorite cafe. Properly frothed milk is the secret to transforming your espresso into lattes, cappuccinos, cortados, and more. Learn about the right technique, the tools you might need, and whether you truly need your own frother.
What is milk frothing?
Frothed milk is simply milk, hot or cold, that’s been thoroughly aerated to create a lovely layer of foam for your coffee drinks. The more air the milk is exposed to, the frothier it gets. No special tools are required to froth milk, but they can help make the process easier. Think of it the same way you would about making a meringue. You could whisk it by hand, but there are definitely easier, more time-efficient ways to do it.
Once you have your frothed milk, a whole world of espresso and coffee drinks awaits you. Simple cortados get a rich and creamy texture without much added milk with a nice layer of froth. Dry cappuccinos replace the standard cappuccino’s combination of foamed and steamed milk with all foam. And of course, lattes can make some stunning art in the milk froth itself if you’re an old pro.
Can you froth non-dairy milk?
Yes! If you’re dairy-free or simply like having a little more variety in your lattes and cappuccinos, you can froth milks like almond, oat, and macadamia like you froth regular milk. That said, there will be some discrepancies in how long it froths and how well, so be sure to experiment on your own to get the desired result.
How to froth milk at home with a frother or steam wand
You can use two popular tools to get the right amount of froth for your coffee drinks: a milk frother or a steam wand. Let’s take a closer look at each to see which might be the best for your setup.
How to froth milk with a steam wand
The steam wand is the professional and expert-level barista’s best friend. It’s the true gold standard for milk frothing and is what you’ll see in almost every cafe, which is why so many espresso machines have them built in. It’s a small metal tube injects the milk with high-pressure steam, which heats and aerates it simultaneously. It also allows for greater precision and temperature control so you can get the perfect froth level for your drink. The high pressure of the wand also makes the microfoam silky smooth in a way that’s more difficult to achieve with other methods.
How to use a steam wand
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Pour your milk into a metal milk jug with a spout. The jug will make pouring your milk easier and it ensures it’s heat safe.
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Position the steam wand in the jug's spout with its tip just in the milk. There’s usually a line at the tip of the steam wand — don’t submerge beyond this.
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The tip of the steam wand should be in the bottom right quadrant of the jug. (Looking at your jug top down, visualize it into four quadrants and you’ll see what we mean.)
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Turn the steam wand on all the way, then wait for the milk to reach the correct temperature for your drink.
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Wipe the steam wand clean, and you’re done!
How to froth milk with a handheld frother
Using a handheld frother is much easier to master than using a steam wand, but it still produces a quality result. These are typically small, cheap electric mixers outfitted with a small whisk attachment. They’re often battery-powered, and their low cost makes them perfect for beginners who haven’t perfected their technique yet. Unlike steamers, handheld frothers can froth hot or cold milk, which, in some ways, makes them a little more versatile.
They also don’t require you to have an expensive espresso machine yet. Or if you already purchased a machine that didn’t come with a steam wand, there’s no pressure to upgrade or swap out your entire setup just to get a little foam!
How to use a handheld frother
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Insert the whisk portion of your frother into your milk and turn it on.
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Slowly move the frother around just the surface of the milk for about two seconds.
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Move the frother toward the bottom of your vessel and hold it at an angle to make the milk spin without adding more bubbles. A whirlpool should form.
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Maintain the whirlpool for about 1 minute, and then pour and enjoy!
How to froth milk without a frother
Frothers are great and truly essential if you want to get into the world of latte art or achieve perfect, consistent microfoam every time. But that doesn’t mean you need one to give it a try yourself. Here are a few ways to froth milk that might not require you to buy anything at all.
How to froth milk with a jar
If you have a jar with a tight-fitting lid, you can start practicing frothing milk immediately. Here’s how:
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Using cold milk, fill only ⅓ of the jar to leave space for the milk to expand.
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Secure the lid tightly to prevent leaks.
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Hold the jar firmly and shake it up and down with force.
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The milk should double in volume, creating a thick foam.
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For hot drinks, after shaking remove the lid and microwave the jar for 10-15 seconds to stabilize the foam.
How to froth milk with a blender
To froth milk for your espresso with a blender, follow these steps:
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Use about ½ cup (120ml) of milk—too much milk reduces aeration effectiveness.
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A high-speed blender creates finer foam, but a standard blender works too.
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Start at a medium speed and gradually increase to high speed over the course of 30–45 seconds.
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Look for small, uniform bubbles forming as air is incorporated. Blend for another 10-15 seconds if the foam is too thin.
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Tap the blender container on the counter to pop large bubbles.
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Swirl the milk inside the container to ensure even consistency.
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Pour slowly into your coffee for layered texture.
How to froth milk with a french press
There are milk frothers that look almost exactly like a french press, but there’s no need to buy one if you already have a French press. Just make sure it’s been thoroughly cleaned first!
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Fill only one-third of the french press to allow room for expansion. Too much milk makes it harder to aerate properly.
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Pump the plunger up and down rapidly while holding the lid firmly.
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Continue plunging for 30-45 seconds until the milk has doubled in volume.
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For denser microfoam, plunge slower and control the air incorporation.
Pour the perfect frothed milk with Pesado
Pesado makes quality milk jugs with a sharp or rounded spout so you can put your milk frothing skills to use making latte art or just pouring perfectly formed microfoam. They’re committed to crafting tools to help with every part of your espresso-making journey from tampers and distribution tools to portafilters. Shop the whole collection now.
