Milk is an important addition to a lot of people’s coffee. It’s the main ingredient of a lot of coffee types – Latte, Cappuccino, Mocha and so many more. But what some people don’t realize, is the fact that there are 2 types of milk that you can add to your java – frothed milk vs steamed milk.
While both of these will be a great addition to your cup, it’s important to know the difference between frothed vs steamed dairy, to make only the most delicious coffee.
Why Is It Good to Put Milk in Your Coffee?
There are several reasons why putting milk in your coffee is considered sophisticated:
- It has protein, sugar, and fats. And when the milk is heated and added to the coffee, it enhances its taste.
- When you heat dairy the fat in it is melting and gives your coffee a velvety.
- Lastly, heating the milk breaks down the sugar and caramelizes it. This makes your coffee naturally sweet and rich.
However, some complain that adding milk to coffee compromises the true flavor of the morning drink. Yes, can’t argue with that, but it’s just a matter of preference. Some people like strong, acidic coffee to kickstart their day, while others like a softer and sweeter taste. Otherwise, milk does not compromise the taste of your coffee, and it doesn’t make it any less healthy.
Frothed Milk
Often people ask if frothing milk the same as steaming milk since they both deal with heating it. Well, no, they aren’t the same at all. When you create a layer of foam on the top of your warm milk, it is called frothed or foamed milk. This can be done by beating air into the liquid with a steam wand.
Preparing Foamed Milk
It is the same as steaming it but you have to incorporate more wind for the foam to generate. That is the basic difference between frothed milk vs steamed milk. Fluid can be made aerated either by using a steam wand, electric frother, or manual frother.
Tips For Preparing Foamed Milk
Foaming milk can be a little difficult for beginners but don’t worry because we have brought to you some useful tips that can help you be a pro at the game.
- Skimmed or non-fat milk is easier to froth but does not give you the best texture. Try a full-fat one for best results; just remember that perfecting it will be more challenging. You can begin practicing with low-fat to get the best results later.
- Try using cold fluid for foaming.
- Keep the temperature between 60 to 68 degrees Celsius as this is ideal for frothing.
- In a battle between milk frother vs steamer, go for the former equipment to get the desired results.
What is Steamed Milk
Steamed milk is the base of frothed one. However, this does not mean that both the steamed milk and frothed milk are the same. Steamed dairy has a delicate foam and is less aerated.
Preparing Steamed Milk
In the steamed milk vs foamed milk debate, the former wins in terms of preparation ease. You can steam your milk in many ways, using the help of the automatic frother, steam wand, or simply a stove. Moreover, the best coffee maker comes with a high-quality steam wand that produces fluid of the most superior quality.
Tips For Steaming Milk
- Using an espresso thermometer will ensure you get the right product every single time.
- Its temperature should be between 65 to 70 degrees.
- Turn off your stove once it has reached 60 degrees celsius as the liquid will continue to heat.
- Tilting your pitcher will help you get a smooth texture as it makes the milk roll.
Drinks That Use Steamed and Foamed Milk
Several varieties of coffee use foamed or steamed dairy for a smooth and rich taste: mocha, flat white, cappuccino, and latte. The amount of milk that is used vary from drink to drink, but nonetheless, all of them taste heavingly thanks to this ingredient.
Closing Statement
When talking about the frothed milk vs steamed milk debate, there is no clear winner. Because both of them enhance the taste of your drink, making it more interesting, fuller, and soothing. The major difference between them, however, is the volume: frothed milk has more volume than a steamed one. Moreover, frothed milk is used for foam-filled beverages while steamed – is more widely incorporated in coffee preparations as the aeration in a steamed fluid is delicate and serves only to make it a little heavier.
So hopefully, now you know that both of these types are the perfect choice when you want to make a more delicious and fuller than it is. So choose whichever method works the best for you, and enjoy some steaming mug of happiness! Perhaps you also know some recipes that will make a coffee with milk taste even more divine? feel free to share them with us in the comments!