There’s nothing more relaxing than sitting back with a freshly made cup of joe and taking a few minutes for yourself. You’ll agree that it’s one of life’s little pleasures. However, many people struggle to make barista-style coffee at home. The good news is that you can become an extraordinaire barista in the comfort of your home with just a few pieces of equipment. Among them is a coffee frother.
If you’re a fan of frappuccino, macchiato, a latte, or whipped coffee, you don’t have to go to a fancy shop anymore to get these drinks. You can buy some milk, create a silky foam by yourself and make different kinds of fancy coffee drinks that you like. This article will discuss what a coffee frother is and how to use it to make fancy coffee drinks. Read on!
What is a Coffee Frother?
A coffee or milk frother is a tool that’s used to froth milk, which is then added to coffee such as cappuccino or latte. A frother aerates the milk, thus creating a light but thick foam. This boosts the appearance, texture, and taste of your coffee. Espresso machines also contain steam wands that froth steamed milk. So you can use an espresso machine instead of a coffee frother to froth your milk.
Different kinds of milk produce different kinds of foam since they contain different fat and protein content. Milk with heavy amounts of fats and protein content such as whole milk produces a thicker and richer texture, while milk with fewer amounts of fats and proteins such as skimmed milk produces lighter and thinner foam.
There are different types of milk frothers such as handheld frothers, automatic frothers, and frothing wands. Additionally, these frothers come in different shapes, sizes, and styles. All these frothers use the process of adding air bubbles to the milk to create milk froth.
How to Use a Coffee Frother
Here’s a step-by-step guide to using a coffee frother:
- The first step to using a milk frother is deciding whether you want to use warm or cold milk. If you prefer warm milk, keep in mind that the temperature should range between 150 to 155 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Once your milk is at the desired temperature, add it to the frother. Fill the pitcher about a third of the way.
- Place the lid on the frother and properly seal it.
- Pump the plunger for approximately 15 seconds. Within 15 seconds you’ll notice that it’s more difficult to plunge the milk. This is a sign that your milk is thickening as it should.
- Continue plunging your milk as you keep in mind that the more you plunge, the more your milk is aerated. Check the progress of your milk regularly to see whether you’ve achieved the desired consistency.
- Once you’ve achieved the desired results, remove the pitcher’s lid as well as the plunger.
- Gently swirl the pitcher in a circular motion to help the milk settle.
- Once the milk and froth have settled, pour it into another container and microwave it for 30 seconds. Ensure that the milk does not boil.
- Remove the few dollops of cream on top using a spoon and put them on your coffee.
Types of Coffee Frothers
As mentioned earlier, there are different types of coffee frothers. They include handheld frothers, automatic frothers, and frothing wands. We’ll discuss these frothers in detail including their pros and cons. Let’s get started.
Handheld Frothers
Handheld frothers are battery-powered milk frothers. You can operate them by sticking them directly into your cup of coffee and frothing your milk. They operate faster and are better than manual tools.
Pros
- They are easy to use
- They are versatile. You can use them to whisk eggs or whipping cream
Cons
- Batteries may need replacement especially if used regularly
- They neither heat nor cool your milk unlike other frothers
Automatic Frothers
Automatic frothers are electric-powered milk frothers that consist of a carafe, a frothing disk, and a power base. Most automatic frothers have induction heating whisks to warm up your milk as they spin it to create foam.
Pros
- Easy and convenient to use
- Produce high-quality froth
Cons
- The frothers take up more space compared to handheld frothers
- You can only froth about one cup of milk at once using the frothers
Frothing Wands
Frothing wands are types of frothers found in espresso machines. They steam your milk while frothing it to create coffee with more texture. Frothing wands work by allowing steam through your milk and creating a foam.
Pros
- Makes the best froth for your lattes
Cons
- Costlier compared to handheld and automatic frothers
- The frother is not beginner-friendly
What Type of Milk Makes the Best Froth?
As mentioned earlier, different kinds of milk produce different types of foam. Milk with high content of fats and proteins produces more foam, while milk with fewer fats and proteins produces less foam. However, the type of milk to use depends on your preferences. If you’re looking for a rich cup of coffee with thick foam, you can use whole milk. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a low-fat option with low foam, use skimmed milk for your coffee. Last but not least, if you’re looking for a middle result, opt for two-percent milk.
If you are not a fan of dairy, you can use other types of milk such as soy milk and rice milk to make your creamy coffee. However, keep in mind that it will take you more time to froth the milk and achieve the consistency that you desire. What’s more, not all types of milk work well in a frother. They include low-fat coconut milk and cashew milk.
Benefits of Using a Coffee Frother
Here are some of the benefits of using a coffee frother:
- Frothers give your standard drink an upgrade.
- Milk frothers are easy to use and convenient.
- Frothers save you the time and money you would have used purchasing your favorite drinks in a cafe. Additionally, you’re in complete control of the flavors and ingredients that you add to your drink.
- Using a milk frother at your home is the easiest way to maintain tradition. Traditionally, drinks like cappuccinos and lattes were made with a layer of foamed milk on top.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to make delicious coffee in the comfort of your home, treat yourself to a milk frother. This article has discussed the different types of frothers, their pros as well as cons. With that, you can choose the frother that suits you best according to your preferences. Additionally, keep in mind that not all types of milk are great for use with a frother. Therefore, avoid types of milk that don’t give you the desired results.
