How to Froth, Foam, or Steam Milk for the Perfect Coffee

If you’re a coffee lover, you'll know that the texture of milk influences both the flavour and presentation of your drink. The milk consistency improves the taste of your brew, creating a creamy, smooth mouthfeel while balancing the strength of the coffee.

Many popular coffee drinks rely on frothed, foamed, or steamed milk to achieve their signature style. Cappuccinos are known for their thick, airy foam, while lattes require smooth, silky steamed milk. Flat whites, on the other hand, use finely textured microfoam to create a rich yet subtle balance between milk and espresso.

That said, knowing how to froth, foam, or steam milk for the perfect coffee is important. In this guide, we’ll explore all the tips and tricks for achieving this with or without a milk frother!

Knowing when to froth, foam, or steam milk is essential for creating the best coffee - as if it came from your favourite coffee shop! Here’s how they differ and when to use each method: 

Frothing Milk

Frothing introduces air into the milk to create a light, airy texture with large bubbles. This results in fluffy foam that sits nicely on top of the coffee rather than mixing into it. 

Frothed milk is best for:

• Cappuccinos

• Macchiatos

• Mocha

• Cortado

• Breve

• Other hot beverages that require a thick, airy foam layer. 

Foaming Milk

Foaming is similar to frothing but creates finer, more delicate bubbles for a smoother consistency. Despite being less airy, the foam still has a noticeable texture to it. 

Foamed milk is typically best for:

• Cappuccinos

• Macchiatos

• Espresso Con Panna 

• Certain speciality coffees that balance foam and milk. 

Steaming Milk

Steaming creates microfoam - a silk, smooth texture with tiny bubbles that integrate perfectly into the coffee. This process improves the milk’s natural sweetness while keeping a rich, velvety feel. 

Steamed milk is best for:

• Lattes

• Flat whites

• Cafe au Lait

• Any other beverage requiring a creamy, well-blended texture such as hot chocolate or Chai Latte.

Interestingly, milk with a lower fat content yields the best results when it comes to frothing. The fat within milk, such as whole milk, can actually weigh down the air bubbles, which results in less successful frothing. Therefore, milk with a reduced fat content (semi-skimmed), or milk with zero fat (skimmed), are better choices for the best frothing. 

Can You Froth Oat Milk & Other Variants?

Lactose-free or plant-based milk, such as oat, soya, or almond milk, typically doesn’t froth and foam very well as it lacks the protein which traps air bubbles and creates stable foam. However, don’t panic if you want to enjoy a foamy or frothy coffee using non-dairy substitutes; electric milk frothers are capable of handling the task well, giving you the desired foamy or frothy texture!

It is also worth keeping an eye out for “barista” versions of non-dairy milk, as these have been specially made to prevent curdling and splitting; ultimately leading to better results when frothing and foaming. 

Using a dedicated milk frother is one of the easiest ways to create light, airy foam for your coffee. Regardless of whether you have an electric frother or a handheld frother, here’s how to achieve the perfect finish to your coffee:

Using an Automatic Frother

Automatic appliances, such as Smeg’s 50s Style electric frother, heat and froth milk at the press of a button, making it a convenient option if you need a quick pick-me-up beverage. 

1. Pour cold milk into the frother, ensuring you don’t exceed the maximum line. 

2. Select the desired frothing function, choosing your thickness. 

3. Press the start button and wait for the frother to create foam. 

4. Once done, gently swirl the milk to combine any layers before pouring it into your coffee.

Using a Handheld Milk Frother

A handheld frother allows you to manually control the frothing process while keeping it quick and easy. 

1. Heat the milk to around 55 - 65°C (if using warm milk), or keep it cold for an iced drink.

2. Pour the milk into a tall cup or jug to prevent splashes.

3. Insert the frother just below the surface and switch it on, moving it up and down to introduce air.

4. Continue frothing for about 20–30 seconds until the milk becomes light and foamy.

5. Tap the cup gently on the counter to remove any large bubbles and swirl for consistency.

If you don’t have a milk frother appliance, don’t worry; several typical household items can be used to complete the task, although we can’t promise they’ll be a success every time. Let’s take a look at these alternative options:

Using a French Press

French Press is a popular coffee-making method, but it can also be used for frothing and foaming milk. 

1. Heat the milk to around 55 - 65°C, and carefully pour the milk into the French press. 

2. Keep in mind that, once frothed, the milk’s volume will roughly double! 

3. Repeatedly pump the pressure until the milk appears foamy, and leave it to rest for a minute before serving. 

Using a Whisk

Pretty much every household will have a whisk, so this is a widely accessible alternative to a milk-frothing appliance. Whisks are capable of achieving a fairly fine foam but may take a bit of practice to master. 

1. Heat the milk to around 55 - 65°C, and pour it into a bowl. 

2. Whisk the warm milk until bubbles start to form.

Using an Immersion Blender

Although it is not the cleanest of methods, using an immersion blender is an effective DIY way of frothing your milk. 

1. Heat the milk to around 55 - 65°C.

2. Pour the milk into a container, ensuring that it is tall enough to prevent spillages. 

3. Using the immersion blender, blend the milk until it is foamy. 

Shaking in a Sealed Jar

Although this method is the most challenging to get results, it’s an accessible and quick solution to your milk frothing needs. 

1. Heat the milk to around 55 - 65°C.

2. Pour the warm milk into a jar with a lid, using a tea towel to wrap it if it is too hot to touch. 

3. Once the lid is firmly on, shake the jar until foam begins to form. 

Creating latte art at home with a milk frother is entirely possible with the right technique. Although baristas usually achieve this using a steam wand, a handheld or automatic milk frother can still produce smooth microfoam for simple designs. 

1. Once your milk has been heated, frothed, and swirled, hold your cup, jug, or container at a slight angle and begin pouring the milk from about 5cm above the coffee. 

2. Begin with a thin, steady stream in the centre of the cup, allowing the milk and coffee to blend properly. 

3. As the cup fills, bring the container or milk jug closer to the surface and slightly increase the pour speed. This helps the microfoam settle on top, creating a creamy texture without large bubbles. 

4. For basic latte art, once the cup is nearly full, slow down the pour and make a slight wiggling motion to shape a design before finishing with a quick pull through the centre.

To achieve the silky, microfoam texture needed for a latte, you’ll need a steam wand, which is commonly found in an espresso coffee machine. Here’s how the process commonly unfolds:

1. Using cold milk and a stainless steel jug, fill the jug up to the start of the spout. 

2. Purge the steam wand to remove any water or residue buildup. 

3. Place the wand just below the surface at a slight angle.

4. Tilt the jug to create a whirlpool motion.

5. Turn on the wand and listen for a gentle hissing sound.

6. After a few seconds, lower the wand to continue heating. 

7. Keep the whirlpool motion steady and heat the cold milk to roughly 55 - 65°C.

8. Aim for silky microfoam with no large bubbles. 

9. Tap the jug to remove bubbles, and pour immediately for the best texture. 

Many of the most innovative automatic milk frothers are capable of producing smooth, thick hot chocolate to enjoy at home and on the go. For ease of use, some models come with pre-set hot chocolate functions, so you can quickly make one with minimal fuss - often as easy as this:

1. Pour the hot chocolate ingredients into the milk frother.

2. Select the “Hot Chocolate” program and proceed as if you were frothing milk. 

If you truly want the perfect coffee, you’ll want an appliance that can produce the best results for you. Many of our coffee machines come with a built-in grinder and frother, but for those who just need an innovative appliance to froth milk, our electric milk frother is for you. 

This appliance is designed with elegance and efficiency, bringing you professionally created frothed milk for your favourite flat white, macchiato, or latte; as if you’d just picked it up from your local coffee shop.