What is the difference between foamed milk and steamed milk

Milk preparation largely falls into two categories: Foamed milk and steamed milk. Each of these two are best for certain types of drink, and likewise have their own qualities that people love.

Today I want to break down steamed milk vs. Milk has long been paired with coffee, whether it be to create a hearty latte drink, or just a few millilitres to temper the intensity of an espresso.

Milk is largely comprised of protein, fats, and sugar, and when these three compounds are added to coffee, and when milk is heated up they help to develop the flavor of coffee further.

When heated, the fat content of milk melts away, which helps create a smooth and velvety texture. The sugars are then broken down and caramelized, which sweetens the milk. Lastly, the protein content in the milk help add structure and keep the air in the milk, giving it a very light body. Mark is the editor and writer of the popular coffee blog Bean Ground.

He's been active in the catering and hospitality industry for many years. When he's not fiddling around with a new coffee gadget, you'll find him busy doing DIY projects around the home and taking his German Shepherd for a walk, who funnily enough is called Kona! You can discover more about Mark here.

He's also available as a freelance coffee copywriter. Subscribe to receive free emails filled with reviews, gear, and caffeine-infused tips on how to brew great-tasting coffee at home. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. Make sure to double-check your spam folder for our email. Knowing just how fresh your coffee beans are is one of the many challenges faced by someone new to home coffee brewing.

Unlike other foods that have a use-by date or best before date, coffee typically has a roast date The strange thing is, coffee does often get branded as I know I might be exaggerating, but in all honesty Turn off the steam wand once the milk jug is too hot to touch and reaches between 57 to 60 degrees Celsius. Tilt your pitcher a little to let the milk roll creating a smooth texture. Steamed milk usually takes between 10 to 60 seconds depending on your machine. Little or no sound indicates the correct placement of the steam arm.

Pour enough cold milk to cover one third of the milk pitcher. Turn the steam wand on and ensure the tip is positioned just below the surface of the milk and in the spout of the pitcher. Ensure the holes at the tip of the steam wand is exposed. Wait 10 seconds then place the tip of the steam wand about an inch further in milk which will add texture to your milk.

Turn the steam wand off once at a desired temperature. Clean and purge the steam wand when you have finished. Here are some additional tips to follow for making foamed milk: Always use chilled or cold milk for better foam quality. Choose your milk accordingly. The best temperature for foaming milk is between 60 to 68 degrees Celsius.

Use a thermometer in the milk to keep an eye on the temperature. Always clean the steam wand with a clean cloth before and after use. The wand will introduce the surface of the milk to pressurized steam.

It will create a vortex to spin the milk evenly. It should take around seconds depending on what equipment you are using, and you should tilt the steamer carafe to make the milk smoother. Steaming milk will also fold air into the milk and allow the contained proteins to unwind and wrap around the air bubbles. They do this because one side of the protein is hydrophobic, meaning that it repels water, and the other hand is hydrophilic, meaning it attracts water.

The hydrophobic side connects to the air bubble, and the hydrophilic side attaches to the water in the milk.

With frothed or foamed milk, the milk is more aerated than in steamed milk. The bubbles in foamed milk are larger and stiffer, and it takes up more volume. It adds a creamy and airy feel to drinks and can go into iced coffee to add complexity and texture. You can also add the foam to hot chocolate to add texture and a richer flavor.

Contrary to making steamed milk, the milk does not need to be hot to make frothed milk. However, you will need to heat the milk separately if you want it to be heated since most frothing machines do not involve heat. Some electric frothers will also heat the milk while frothing it.