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Making great coffee has always been an art, but with the invention of new types of machines, the art is taking on a whole new look. What does a frother do in a barista’s hands?
Whether you’re just looking for something to start your morning right or are serious about becoming the best barista there ever was, this article is for you.
This guide will explore what it means to have “the frothiest foam” that goes into making every cup delicious.
Without any further ado, let’s find out what does a frother do, what are the types of frothers, and how to use it.
What is A Milk Frother & What Does a Frother Do?
A frother is a device that can be used to make milk or cream into a light and airy foam.
This enables lattes to be made with optimum quality and consistency; moreover, they can also create delicious recipes such as whipped cream.
Since we are in a coffee environment here on this website, let’s talk about milk frothers for coffee.
As you know, when coffee is made with frothed milk, it creates a light and airy marshmallow-like foam that gives the drink an ideal texture.
Therefore, frothed milk makes lattes or cappuccino much more enjoyable to drink.
So, what does a frother do? It is a machine that can be used to create foamed milk.
How Does A Frother Work?
Using a frother is fairly simple.
Once you have decided which type of frother you need, all you have to do is follow the instructions that the manufacturer gave with the product.
Different types of frothers operate differently; some will need to be pumped for foam, while others will need to be rotated at specific speeds.
What Are The Types Of Frothers?
Now that we know what does a frother do and how it works, let’s see the types of frothers:
1. Handheld
A handheld milk frother is by far the easiest and most convenient way to froth milk.
These small and simple machines cost about $20 and can be found just about anywhere.
Most of them have a sturdy whisk and work just as well as ones that cost twice as much.
If you want to make lattes at home, or if you’d rather drink coffee at a cafe, you will definitely want your own frother.
Most people don’t use these kinds of frothers every day, but they are perfect for those who like to make lattes and cappuccinos at home.
There is no real advantage for buying a commercial-style milk frother if you’ll be making coffee for yourself at home.
These are the most expensive frothers around and are used for professional use.
If you’re making lattes at your home, you don’t want to spend this much money because you could just as well use a handheld frother.
The main difference between these two types of frothers is simply the size.
Handhelds are smaller, cheaper and are meant to be used every day by consumers.
Commercial models are generally twice as big so they can be connected to a machine that allows them to make foam for larger amounts of product at once.
2. Electric Milk Frother
Secondly, we have the electric milk frother.
It’s a small electrical device that is easily operated and will produce creamy foamy milk in a matter of seconds.
The device works by using an air pump that spins while the milk frother is immersed in the milk.
If done right, you can even make foam on cold milk.
It’s an excellent option for making cappuccinos and lattes at home without a big hassle.
3. Manual Frother
This includes your regular milk pitcher with a wire whisk.
With this type of frother, you need to manually move the wire whip around in the milk to create foam.
This technique is rather time-consuming and less efficient than the other types of frothing machines on the market today.
4. Built-In Steam Wand in Coffee Makers
A steam wand is built into the espresso machine, usually hidden in some conduit or behind the coffee maker.
The steam wand rests loosely on top of the water reservoir.
Also, the steam wand is connected to the espresso machine through the back of the fuse box.
The steam wand is usually attached to the side of the coffee maker or espresso machine, but in some models, it is placed in the back of the machine.
The steam wand can do several different things, depending on what type it is and if it has an internal pump incorporated in it.
Watching videos will help you learn how to properly use your coffee maker’s steam wand.
5. Stationary Steam Frother
This type of frother is built into a commercial-type espresso machine, meaning it’s more expensive than most other models on the market today.
They come with a commercial espresso machine already attached.
This type of frother is often used in restaurants and cafes.
What Does A Milk Frother Do For Coffee?
Besides making lattes and cappuccino, frothing milk is what makes the drink better.
The foam adds a taste and texture to coffee that can make or break a coffee experience.
With milk frothers, you can create foamed milk that is perfect every time.
Having a dollop of foam on your drink is not just for fun; it’s actually the best way to create the ideal texture for coffee.
Foamed milk is thicker than regular milk, so you can use less coffee if you want to, but still have a perfect latte or cappuccino.
Making foam for your cup of latte also assures that there will be no lumps in the beverage.
Latte art is becoming more popular these days, but adding foam is still the way to go if you want to make a latte art masterpiece.
Foaming milk with a whisk is very simple too.
For both cappuccino and latte, you can use a hand-held frother or one that’s plugged into an electric outlet.
The coffee shop around your house probably has one of these types of frothers, which is why they are so popular at cafes throughout the country.
Milk Frothing Pitcher Is Essential For Latte Art
I was telling you earlier about latte art, the “cherry on the cake” for coffee lovers.
You probably saw your local barista hold one and do his magic tricks while decorating your cappuccino or latte.
Enter the milk frothing pitcher. So what is a milk-frothing pitcher?
A milk frothing pitcher is an essential tool for making lattes, cappuccinos, and other coffee drinks that involve heating milk.
Made of heat-resistant materials like glass or stainless steel, these pitchers have spouts to control the flow of the warm liquid while retaining its heat longer.
Does A Milk Frother Make Coffee Better?
The essence of a good cappuccino is foam, and a frothed milk latte includes plenty of foam that lifts the drink’s already elevated taste to a zenith.
Just how much better does it make coffee?
Some experts believe that having frothed milk as opposed to regular milk has as much as an eight-percent increase in caffeine content.
Froth affects the flavor and aroma of your beverage, so using a frother can make your coffee taste better.
Because all types of frothers work differently, it is important to understand what type you need and find one that works well for you.
If you’re only going to spend a few dollars for a frother, you can pick up a hand-held one at your local coffee shop.
These are the least expensive type of frother and usually have a basic whisk to create foam.
They work well but don’t have the power needed to make espresso.
If this is all you need, then go for it!
If you want something that will produce superior results in a matter of seconds, buy an electric frother.
You can choose from small models that fit in your kitchen cabinets or large commercial models that come with many attachments for ultimate versatility.
These machines allow you to create foam for lattes and cappuccinos very quickly and easily.
What are the Advantages Of Owning a Milk Frother?
Hand-held frothers will cost you around $20; they are easy to use, easy to store and travel well. They can be used in most places, such as at home or when you’re traveling.
You can hand-wash them if you want to.
If you have an electric frother, all you need to do is pull it out of its case or off of your countertop, plug it in and switch it on.
They will instantly start to buzz and make foam for your coffee or latte.
Many people like the taste of frothed milk better than regular milk; this gives them more options when they are making their coffee drinks at home.
Using a frother also reduces mess since there is no need to transfer the milk from one container or pitcher into another.
If you’re trying to cut down on calories and fat, you can use a frother to create a latte with less than half the amount of milk that is used in regular lattes.
You can also use low-fat or skim milk for foamed milk instead of whole.
Milk frothers are great for people who are short on time.
A manual whisk works fine, but it takes longer to make the same amount of foam.
This type of frother is more convenient for home use, but it doesn’t work well if you’re making drinks at a coffee shop or restaurant.
Milk frothers are also convenient if you have kids.
They are easy to use, lightweight, and have less chance of being knocked over.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, a frother makes lattes and cappuccino so much better.
The machines are easy to use and save you a lot of time, while still giving you the perfect drink every time.
Learn how to do latte art or pour a latte in a couple of minutes with a frother.
I hope you enjoyed the article, best of luck in your next coffee experience. So, will you start practicing latte art?
