Frothed Milk vs Steamed Milk – Detailed Comparison

Frothed milk vs steamed milk. Coffee addicts must have asked this question once in their life, surely although most of the practical coffee drinkers prefer the black coffee full of caffeine. However, who can reject a hearty cup of cappuccino or latte? Therefore it is important to note, what is the key ingredient in other words that differentiate black coffee and these rich and velvety drinks. And that is milk. Now we all know milk is used ic coffees all over the world. However, the type of milk and its preparation can make or break your coffee. Most people think milk is just milk, right? My friends, this white liquid can change your whole coffee experience. Besides this, its preparation holds merit as well, to be or not to be? The frothed milk or the steamed milk?

Importance of milk – Frothed Milk vs Steamed Milk

Milk contains fats, proteins, and sugar. Now, these core things with tempering give the coffee its flavor. The reason behind this is that by heating milk, the fat in the milk starts melting. So the fat takes the shape of smooth and velvety quality. Additionally, the sugar in the milk also melts and adds sweetness to it. Furthermore, the protein serves a purpose as well. As it helps in keeping the air looked in the milk and also to maintain the structure of it.

Certain types of milk work best with streamers and frothers. So it is important to use the right type and the right concentration of milk, certainly. For instance, you can use lactose-free milk, whole milk, skimmed milk, non-fat milk, organic milk, regular dairy milk for the best and most perfect cappuccino and latte mug. Additionally, almond milk, rice milk, coconut milk, soy milk can be used. That is especially for those who prefer dairy-free latte and cappuccinos. Mind you; the taste is not that different.

Preparation of Milk: Frothed Milk vs Steamed Milk

The two methods to prepare milk are frothed milk or steamed milk. Both of these methods have the same equipment, yet the steps are different. Besides this, they have a distinct difference in their outlook and even taste. There are several ways through which milk can be steamed and frothed. Those will be explained later on. Above all, let us look at what actually arr frothed and steamed milk.

The Difference between Frothed Milk and Steamed Milk

Frothed milk

Frothed milk is also known as foamed milk. Because of the foam that appears on top of the coffee after frothing. Likewise, there are two layers on top of the milk. The first is of the milk that has steamed. Secondly, there is a large dollop of froth on top. It is all done through the prowess of the steam wand.

The milk is made by tempering with the milk and letting the air bubbles to add into it. That is also known as aerating. Above all, this creates a creamy texture that lets the coffee to melt into your mouth. Besides this, the foam must be thick, heavy, soft, and dense. For instance, cappuccinos. Can you even imagine a good cup of cappuccino without a frothy delight on top?

Frothing can be done at home easily. That is because it does not require milk to heat up. So, as a result, you can make cold coffee with froth as well. Although in coffee shops and even at home, the froth is mostly made of coffee machines, milk frothers, steam wands, and even stand-alone milk streamers. The reason is that it warms up the coffee and makes the froth at the top; hence, both work simultaneously. Although if you do not have a steam wand of the machine with steam want at home. You can froth your milk in a microwave, french press, and even a whisker or egg beater.

Different Ways to Froth the Milk

There are several types of equipment you can use to froth your milk to your liking. Hence, gear up mates to have the best cappuccino and latte at your homes.

1- Froth milk with an espresso machine or a steam wand

• Firstly, pour your milk inside the milk carafe. Cover only 1/3 of it.
• Secondly, to ensures there is no milk leftover, consequently clean the steam wand.
• Position the wand slightly beneath the surface of the milk. Turn it on.
• After a few seconds, take the tip further inside the milk.
• After the milk gets enough frothiness and texture. Turn the wand off.
• You are done with your frothy steps of the coffee.

2- Froth milk with a milk frother

• Firstly you have to warm your milk for this one.
• Secondly, submerge the milk frother in the milk. And turn it on.
• Whisk until the froth has formed to your liking.
• Turn it off. Take the frother out.
• Your milk is frothed.

There are certain unconventional ways of frothing milk as well. But they prove effective mostly in times of need. Hence, let us look at them.

3- Froth the milk in a jar

Yep! That is right; you have read it correctly. We can froth milk in a jar, although it is not the right or preferential method. But who cares? It’s fun!

• Take a jar with a lid. For instance, a mason jar.
• It must be clean, and the lid must be tight.
• You have to warm your milk beforehand.
• After that, pour the warm milk inside the jar.
• Now, people shake away.
• As a result of your manual labor, a beautiful froth will appear on the milky in the jar.
• Now, this method is certainly not suitable for doing latte art.
• Hence, this route is taken mostly in cases of emergencies.

4- Froth with an egg beater or a whisker

Who would have thought a simple whisker can give you a foam? The beaters are used to beat more than the eggs now. Let us beat the milk to give it a dense froth.

• Again, you have to have warm milk for this method as well.
• Pour your milk in a bowl and whisk.
• You have to whisk the milk vigorously.
• Hence, the result will be a foamy texture on top of the milk.
• This method is slightly better than that of the jar one.
• Moreover, if you whisk to and fro, it will be easier for you. The circular motion will make you tired quickly.

5- Froth with an electric mixer

This is one of the most rewarding methods after coffee machines, steam wands, and frothers. The mixer is used for whipping delicious creams. Hence, we have but to whisk our milk in a creamy and frothy texture as well.

• Warm milk is the key to this method, as well.
• After that, you have to whisk the milk with the electric mixer.
• This method is feasible because it whisks fast and with less handwork.

6- Froth your milk in a blender

You must have had a frothy milkshake once in our life, haven’t you? Hence the milk can develops a foamy texture in a blender easily. And you can make coffee with it in a jiffy.

• Heat your white liquid, firstly.
• After that, pour this warm liquid in the blender jug.
• Secure the lid.
• Blend away, mates!
• Once the milk gets its foamy consistency. Turn off the blender.
• Your frothy milk is ready to be poured in a coffee.

7- Frothing in the French press

Indeed your french press can make froth for your coffee as well. You just need to get the gist of it.

• Pour warm milk in the french press carafe.
• Put the plunger and the lid on top.
• Secure it. After that, start pumping.
• You have to move the plunger up and down vigorously.
• This will create the necessary pressure to form the air bubbles inside the milk.
• Likewise, you will get your frothy milk in no time at all.

Steamed Milk – Frothed Milk vs Steamed Milk

Most of the people think steamed milk and frothed milk is the same thing. And the reason is that steamed milk does for the basis of frothy milk. Yet the distinction is in the flavor of the coffee. We can make froth with several other appliances and in several other ways. However, to steam the milk to perfection, we need coffee machines, steam wands, or stand-alone milk steamers. And the steamed milk is always warm.

Additionally, the froth it produces is more thick and dense. Also, it is smooth and velvety. This foam is also known as microfoam. Now, this foam is like paint. Just as a painter paints on canvas in the same vein, the baristas do latte art with this wet paint. Yes, latte art is done best with perfectly steamed milk.

The reason behind more smoothness and more excellent foam are because the air bubbles in this milk are tiny. It is because of more aeration. Hence, the milk becomes denser, creamier, and vibrant. Frequently, coffee machines have used to steam the milk, including espresso machines. However, electric milk streamers are also present in the market. By making use of the steam wand, the milk undergoes pressure. Just as a diamond has made under intense pressure. So is a perfect and delicious latte and cappuccino made under pressure. This process also heats the milk, subsequently. Gradually the milk gets thicker and thicker. The reason is that the sugar in the milk breaks up when it gets warm. And this adds more flavor to the milk and coffee. The smoothness in the coffee comes from the fats that melt. They leave behind liquid velvet.

Why You Steam the Milk

The technique behind steaming the milk is hidden in the tiny tube that we call steam wand. Turn on the steamer and place it at the top of the surface of the milk. Steam pours out of the wand and rapidly whisks the milk. It breaks up the molecules in it. Hence, the sugars, proteins, and fats all take a mighty hit. Therefore they melt and release their goodness in the milk. As a result, the milk becomes thicker and dense.

The Phenomenon Behind Steamed Milk

The phenomenon is that the proteins in regular milk are in static condition. However, they don’t do any good. The protein needs to unwind. And to do this, we have to warm it up. After that, the protein molecules encase the air bubbles in the milk. The reason behind this is that the protein molecules have opposite sides to it. That is the hydrophobic one attaches to the air and the water-loving side; hydrophilic hugs the water. Now, this is what creates the beautiful texture of the steamed milk.

Consequently, this makes the milk dense, thick, heavy, and oh so yummy. Similarly, the milk breaks the sugar down by the same process. That is the carbohydrates break to release the required sweetness for the milk to taste good.

Tips to remember – Steamed Milk

• The steam needs to beneath the surface of the milk. The reason is that, if it is not close to it, the bubbles have not correctly made. The milk will warm up, but the froth won’t be there.
• The temperature of the milk is highly significant because of the proteins. If you boil the milk too much, the protein structure falls apart completely. As a result, you will have no foam.
• It is important to note that the milk swirls in the pitcher. Hence, the stem mixes and moves the milk. So the wand should be at the end where stirring has easily done. You can get a hint when the milk starts to move like a twister.
• Use a thermometer to measure the optimal temperature of the milk.
• Immediately turn the steam wand off, once the pitcher gets too warm to touch.
• If the steam doesn’t make a sound while steaming, this indicates it is in the right position.

How to Steam the Milk with a Steam Wand

• Firstly, pour the milk into the milk pitcher or jug.
• Secondly, clean the steam want to ensure no leftover milk is present.
• Break the surface of the milk with the steam wand. Position it just beneath the surface.
• Turn it on. Tilt or bend the pitcher slightly. It makes the milk mix and stirs better.
• After the milk is warm enough and it becomes dense, turn the wand off.
• Steam the milk for 20-30 seconds only.
• The milk is ready to make the best latte art.

Conclusion – Frothed Milk vs Steamed Milk

Comparing frothed milk vs steamed milk, there is no conclusion as to which milk is better for coffee. It depends majorly on the preference. Hence, the coffee drinkers are put on the spot here. They have to deduce what is best for them. The cappuccino drinkers mostly prefer the froth on top of there coffee. However, if you want an aesthetic cup of coffee with perfect latte art, steamed milk is the option. To sum up, you can choose what contents your heart.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1- Is steamed milk just hot?

Yes, and no, the steamed milk is indeed hot. However, it is flavorful as well. The heat from the steam wand breaks up the milk’s protein, fat, and sugar content. As a result, the milk becomes richer, sweeter, and smoother.

2- Is frothing milk the same as steaming milk?

Only a steam wand steams the milk; latte art can only be possible with a steam wand. It is also thicker and denser than the frothing milk. On the other hand, the frothed milk is a little lighter and airier than the steamed milk. It forms a sort of dollop on top of the coffee.

3- Can you steam milk at home?

Frothing milk is easy at home, with the help of several appliances such as blender, egg beater, whisker, frother, etc. However, unless you have a coffee machine with a steam wand or stand-alone milk streamer, you can not steam milk at home.

4- Does steamed milk taste different than the frothed milk?

There is a slight difference in taste. The steamed milk is sweeter and is dense; the flavor is more rich and heavy. Additionally, cappuccinos, lattes, and hot chocolate may have steamed milk. So it depends upon the taste of the individual drinks as well.

5- Why do you steam milk?

Steam milk makes the best lattes. It is like a religion for latte making. Additionally, steaming the milk releases multitudes of taste profile in the milk. Hence it gives extra depth to your drink. Moreover, latte art is only possible with a pitcher of steamed milk.