The Basics of Espresso Hot Drinks, Part 2

MILK

If you are a latte person, you may have experimented with steaming your own milk. It can be quite tricky to get the right temperature and correct foam on the milk but with practice, it can actually become quite easy.

On the side of most espresso machines, you will find a steaming wand. Before you begin steaming your milk, you will want to purge all the condensation out of the steaming wand to make sure old water and bubbles do not enter your milk when steaming. Grab yourself your desired-sized steaming pitcher and pour in cold whole milk or an alternative non-dairy milk, but only fill it until the milk reaches under the pitcher's spout.

Next, you will place your wand just barely under the surface of your milk. Turn your steaming wand back on and you will want to create a swirl going around the inside of the pitcher in a counter-clockwise direction. Do not make waves on the surface of the milk. This will result in too much air entering the surface of your milk creating large bubbles. You will want to create a quiet hissing noise by lowering your pitcher down just a bit to add just a small amount of air into your milk’s surface to stretch it and create a lovely foam. Remember the goal is always…microbubbles, microbubbles, microbubbles! As the temperature of your milk begins to rise once it is too hot to touch give it three to five seconds and turn off your steaming wand.

Now, if you were creating a cappuccino you would want to steam your milk a little differently. It is best to start with a cold steaming pitcher and when stretching your milk, you want to add more air while cold and keep stretching it until it begins to get warm. Then insert your wand further in just till it reaches the proper temperature. You will want to hold the cap which is the foam at the very top with a spoon while you pour in the flat milk at the bottom of the pitcher then add the cap on top for a cappuccino.

Now I will admit I am still an amateur in steaming milk. I have not mastered making cappuccinos and latte art yet in my barista life. But like me, it is helpful to continue to practice and learn and do not give up on your steaming skills!