Milk frother

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A battery powered milk frother wand Milk frother wand battery powered.jpg
A battery powered milk frother wand
Plunger type milk frother Melkklopper.jpg
Plunger type milk frother
Use of a milk frother (handheld electric) Benutzung eines Milchaufschaumers.gif
Use of a milk frother (handheld electric)

A milk frother is a utensil for making milk froth, typically to be added to coffee (cappuccino, latte, etc.). It aerates the milk, creating a thick but light foam. Milk frothers were introduced through the use of espresso machines that contained steamed wands that would froth steamed milk. Although created in Italy, the espresso machine and steam wands were exported internationally to other countries, and frothed milk was introduced around the world.

Contents

The tiny bubbles, which are formed during the aeration process of milk frothing, make the milk texture lighter and increase its volume. The air from milk frothers combined with the chemical properties in milk create the foamy texture of frothed milk. Milks with different protein and fat contents produce different types of foam. There are various types of milk foams based on the type of milk used in the process, and all yield different tastes and textures. There are three major types of milk frother: manual, handheld electric, and automatic. All devices use the process of adding air bubbles to the chemical properties of milk to create milk froth.

History

In the 1950s, espresso machines that were once native to Italy and their production of coffee were exported overseas to Mediterranean and British markets. [1] There, the espresso based coffee drink "cappuccino" became more popular. Cappuccinos incorporated the use of frothed milk made through the steaming properties of espresso machines. Espresso machines contain a steam wand that heats milk and adds air to create the frothed milk that sits on top of cappuccinos. [1] Cappuccinos became widely popular in Britain because of the exotic nature of milk froth and the technology used to make it. [1]

In the US, coffee drinking shifted from the use of brewed coffee, which was beginning to decline, to specialty coffees. [1] In 1982, the Specialty Coffee Association of America promoted the increased use of espresso machines and Italian premium coffee. [1] Artisan baristas began making elaborate drinks such as the caffè latte and cappuccinos that incorporated the use of the steaming wand to both steam and froth milk. [1]

Process

Frothing milk involves a process that introduces air into the chemical properties of milk to create the light and airy product of frothed or foamed milk. [2] Milk is made up of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. The fats and proteins determine the thickness and the flavor of the foam. Milk that contains a heavier amount of fats and protein, such as whole milk, will produce a richer and thicker texture. [3] Contrastingly, frothing skim milk, which has significantly less amounts of fats and protein, will produce a lighter and thinner foam. The protein properties in milk are what create the foamy texture in frothed milk. Casein molecules (a type of protein) form the molecular structure micelle, which get broken up when air from a milk frother is introduced. The casein molecules gravitate to the air bubbles trapping the air and creating foam. [3]

Types

Manual

A manual frother consists of a perforated mesh plunger in a cylinder, similar to a French press, which is moved up and down by hand. [4] It takes 10–20 seconds to double the volume of milk. The cup may have a narrow spout for making foam art. They can also be used as French presses for making tea or coffee. [5]

Handheld electric

A battery-powered milk frother wand is a small electric mixer. [6] It froths the milk by spinning its attachment. It can also beat eggs or whipping cream in small quantities. When the device is turned on, the whisk creates a vortex and injects air into the liquid. The foam maker is operated until the milk reaches the desired consistency. The handheld devices are supposed to do the frothing faster and better than manual tools.[ citation needed ]

Automatic

Automatic frothers run on electricity and provide a hands-free operation. They include a carafe, a power base, and a frothing disk. Most models are equipped with induction heating to warm the liquid. [7] They operate with a press of a button and switch off automatically. Electric frothers are fast and provide high-quality foam. They have a large capacity to prepare multiple beverages. [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cappuccino</span> Drink made with espresso coffee and steamed milk

Cappuccino is an espresso-based coffee drink that is traditionally prepared with steamed milk including a layer of milk foam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Espresso</span> Type of strong coffee

Espresso is a concentrated form of coffee produced by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely-ground coffee beans. Originating in Italy, espresso has become one of the most popular coffee-brewing methods worldwide. It is characterized by its small serving size, typically 25-30 ml, and its distinctive layers: a dark body topped with a lighter-colored foam called crema.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coffee in Italy</span>

Italians are well known for their special attention to the preparation, the selection of the blends, and the use of accessories when creating many types of coffees. Many of the types of coffee preparation known today also have their roots here. The main coffee port in Italy is Trieste where there is also a lot of coffee processing industry. Italian coffee consumption, often espresso, is highest in the city of Trieste, with an average of 1500 cups of coffee per person per year. That is about twice as much as is usually drunk in Italy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barista</span> Person who prepares and serves coffee drinks

A barista is a person, usually a coffeehouse employee, who prepares and serves espresso-based coffee drinks and other beverages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Latte</span> Beverage made with espresso coffee and milk

Caffè latte, often shortened to just latte in English, is a coffee drink of Italian origin made with espresso and steamed milk, traditionally served in a glass. Variants include the chocolate-flavored mocha or replacing the coffee with another beverage base such as masala chai, mate, matcha, turmeric or rooibos; alternatives to milk, such as soy milk, almond milk or oat milk, are also used.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Espresso machine</span> Device used to brew espresso coffee

An espresso machine brews coffee by forcing pressurized water near boiling point through a "puck" of ground coffee and a filter in order to produce a thick, concentrated coffee called espresso. Multiple machine designs have been created to produce espresso. Several machines share some common elements, such as a grouphead and a portafilter. An espresso machine may also have a steam wand which is used to steam and froth liquids for coffee drinks such as cappuccino and caffè latte.

<i>Caffè macchiato</i> Espresso coffee drink with a small amount of milk

Caffè macchiato, sometimes called espresso macchiato, is an espresso coffee drink with a small amount of milk, usually foamed. In Italian, macchiato means 'stained' or 'spotted', so the literal translation of caffè macchiato is 'stained coffee' or 'marked coffee'.

<i>Café au lait</i> Drink made with coffee and hot milk

Café au lait is coffee with hot milk added. It differs from white coffee, which is coffee with cold milk or other whiteners added.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cortado</span> Espresso with equal amount of warm milk

A cortado is a Spanish beverage consisting of espresso mixed with a roughly equal amount of warm milk to reduce the acidity, although the exact ratios have considerable regional variation. The milk in a cortado is steamed, but not frothy and "texturized" as in many Italian coffee drinks. The cortado is commonly served all over Spain. The word cortado is the past participle of the Spanish verb cortar, in the sense of "dilute", and can refer variously to either coffee or espresso drinks throughout Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coffee cup</span> Tableware product

A coffee cup is a container, a cup, for serving coffee and coffee-based drinks. There are three major types: conventional cups used with saucers, mugs used without saucers, and disposable cups. Cups and mugs generally have a handle. Disposable paper cups used for take-out sometimes have fold-out handles, but are more often used with an insulating coffee cup sleeve.

<i>Latte macchiato</i> Hot espresso drink with milk

Latte macchiato is a coffee beverage. The name is Italian for 'stained milk' or 'marked milk', referring to the way the drink is prepared by pouring a shot of espresso into steamed milk. It is a play on espresso macchiato, an older drink consisting of espresso marked with a dollop or two of milk or cream.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flat white</span> Drink of espresso coffee with steamed milk

A flat white is a coffee drink consisting of espresso and steamed milk. It generally has a higher proportion of espresso to milk than a caffè latte, and lacks the thick layer of foam in a cappuccino. While the origin of the flat white is unclear, various café owners in Australia and New Zealand claim its invention.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Microfoam</span> Finely textured milk used in coffee drinks

Microfoam is finely textured milk used for making espresso-based coffee drinks, particularly those with latte art. It is typically made with the steam wand of an espresso machine, which pumps steam into a pitcher of milk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Café con leche</span> Spanish drink made with coffee and hot milk

Café con leche is a coffee beverage common throughout Spain and Latin America consisting of strong coffee mixed with scalded milk in approximately equal amounts. The amount of milk can be higher in a café con leche en vaso or a café con leche de desayuno. Cuban and Puerto Rican establishments often prepare the drink with sugar. Sugar or sweetener is added to taste. It is similar to the Italian caffè latte and the French café au lait.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coffee preparation</span> Process of turning coffee beans into a beverage

Coffee preparation is the process of turning coffee beans into liquid coffee. While the particular steps vary with the type of coffee and with the raw materials, the process includes four basic steps: raw coffee beans must be roasted, the roasted coffee beans must then be ground, and the ground coffee must then be mixed with hot or cold water for a specific time (brewed), the liquid coffee extraction must be separated from the used grounds, and finally, if desired, the extracted coffee is combined with other elements of the desired beverage, such as sweeteners, dairy products, dairy alternatives, or toppings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milk coffee</span> Category of coffee-based drinks

Milk coffee is a category of coffee-based drinks made with milk. Johan Nieuhof, the Dutch ambassador to China, is credited as the first person to drink coffee with milk when he experimented with it around 1660.

Thermoplan AG is a manufacturer of kitchen appliances for the restaurant sector. The headquarters of the company are located in Weggis (LU), Switzerland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Latte art</span> Type of decoration on coffee

Latte art is a method of preparing coffee created by pouring microfoam into a shot of espresso and resulting in a pattern or design on the surface of the latte. It can also be created or embellished by simply "drawing" in the top layer of foam. Latte art is particularly difficult to create consistently, due to the demanding conditions required of both the espresso shot and milk. This, in turn, is limited by the experience of the barista and quality of the espresso machine. The term also applies to other beverages containing milk foam, such as cappuccino and hot chocolate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frappé coffee</span> Greek iced coffee drink

A frappé coffee, cold coffee, Greek frappé, or just frappé is a Greek iced coffee drink generally made from spray-dried instant coffee, water, sugar, and milk. The word is often written frappe. The frappé was invented in 1957 in Thessaloniki through experimentation by Dimitris Vakondios, a Nescafe representative. Frappés are among the most popular forms of coffee in Greece and Cyprus and have become a hallmark of postwar outdoor Greek coffee culture.

References

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  2. "The Science of Frothing: How to Make Your Own Milk Foam". WonderHowTo. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
  3. 1 2 Levy, Michael (2003-01-01). "The effects of composition and processing of milk on foam characteristics as measured by steam frothing". LSU Master's Theses.
  4. "Milk Frother" . Retrieved 2018-11-26.
  5. Kastner, Erica (2017-01-11). "8 Ways to Froth Milk". The Pioneer Woman. Retrieved 2019-02-27.
  6. "How to use a Milk Frother" . Retrieved 2018-11-26.
  7. "What is a Milk Frother? (with pictures)". wiseGEEK. Retrieved 2019-02-27.
  8. "What Is a Milk Frother and How Does It Work | MilkFrotherTop". milkfrothertop.com. Retrieved 2019-02-27.