How to Froth Milk

Frothed milk gives cappuccino its creamy smoothness.

Gourmet coffee beverages, such as cappuccinos and lattes, tend to be pricey when purchased at a coffee shop. Rather than spending a considerable sum of money every day simply to enjoy a tasty coffee drink, you can learn to make your favorite hot beverages at home and count the savings as they add up. One key element to certain coffee drinks is frothed milk, which can be made using a frothing wand on a cappuccino maker or, if you don't have specialty coffee equipment, in an inexpensive canning jar.

Things You'll Need

• Cappuccino maker with frothing wand
• Frothing pitcher
• Milk
• Pint-sized canning jar with lid
• Microwave oven

Instructions

Frothing Wand Method

1. Pour cold milk into a chilled frothing pitcher, filling the pitcher about halfway. A stainless steel pitcher works best.

2. Place the frothing wand or nozzle into the milk, keeping the tip close to the milk's surface and near the pitcher's side. Turn on the frothing function on your machine, following the instructions for your particular brand and model.

3. Tip the pitcher to a 30-degree angle and allow the milk to froth for approximately 20 seconds. Listen for a hissing or thumping sound -- which is desirable -- as the milk froths, and if the sound changes to a high-pitched noise, submerge less of the wand into the milk.

4. Push the wand nearly to the bottom of the pitcher, keeping the 30-degree angle, to steam the unfrothed portion of the milk.

Jar Method

1. Fill a pint-sized canning jar halfway with milk. Secure the lid on the jar.

2. Shake the jar vigorously. Check the milk after about 30 seconds -- the bubbles and froth should create the appearance of twice the milk with which you began. Shake longer if necessary.

3. Remove the jar's lid. Place the jar in the microwave oven, and microwave it on high for 30 seconds.

4. Remove the jar from the microwave, taking care not to burn your hands. The foam is located toward the top of the jar; hot, "steamed" milk should be at the bottom.

References

• Krups USA: How to Froth Milk
• The Kitchn: How to Make Milk Foam