It's a little-known fact that home baristas can create the same quality lattes and cappuccinos as their favorite coffee shop. The secret lies in milk frothing, which transforms ordinary milk or soymilk into velvety smooth foam for use in homemade cappuccino, latte, macchiato, and mocha recipes.
The most common method is to vigorously whisk the hot liquid with steam from an espresso shot. This creates a thick layer of microfoam on top of the beverage, which has a velvety texture and rich flavor when you sip it through a straw.
Home baristas who want to learn how to make cappuccino should start by purchasing high-quality beans and freshly ground whole coffee beans (not preground). They also need a good grinder (preferably one that grinds right into a portafilter), burr-style espresso maker, pitcher with handle and spout for easy pouring, tamper tool for pressing down grounds in portafilter before pulling shots, scale for measuring out grounds used per drink recipe, milk steaming pitcher or frother wand attachment (or both), fine mesh filter basket screen for filtering out leftover grounds after pulling shots, demitasse cups or mugs that hold about six ounces of liquid each (four ounces if using larger mugs), espresso cups or glasses to serve cappuccinos in style—and lots of practice!
How We Choose
We started by narrowing down our list of potential best milk frothing pitchers to those that were advertised as being made specifically for the purpose of making lattes and other similarly complicated espresso-based drinks. From there, we looked at each pitcher's reviews from verified purchasers to see what they were saying about their experience with the product. We also considered factors such as material (plastic or stainless steel), size (most people prefer a smaller option for ease of storage and portability), and price point to determine which options would be most worth your while.
After gathering all this information, we decided on five finalists based on quality, popularity, and customer satisfaction ratings before doing some hands-on testing ourselves. In addition to seeing how easy each one was to clean and use, we judged them based on how well they frothed up both hot and cold liquids so you can be sure your latte will turn out perfect no matter what time of year it is!
Latte Art Barista Steam Pitchers
The Adorever Milk Frothing Pitcher is a great choice if you're looking for a sturdy and durable frothing pitcher. It's made from #304 stainless steel, which makes it both rust-proof, stain-proof and heat-proof, making it ideal for everyday use.
The handle also acts as a steam nozzle to froth your milk or steam coffee beans before pouring into your mug, which means you don't need an extra separate frothing device. This can be used in different ways - from frothing to steaming milk for cappuccinos and lattes - so this is much more versatile than other models on our list.
12oz Espresso Steaming Pitcher
The Saiveina Milk Frothing Pitcher is a great choice for people who want to froth milk at home. It has a simple, elegant design that makes it easy to use, while still looking good on display.
This frothing pitcher holds 350 milliliters, so you can make two or three cups of coffee or cappuccino at once without having to refill it too often. The narrow spout makes pouring easy, and the ergonomic handle ensures you don't get burned by the hot exterior. The stainless steel construction ensures this frother is sturdy and durable enough for daily use.
There's no steam hole in the bottom of this frother like there is with some other models we looked at, but that means there's no way to heat milk when making lattes or cappuccinos. That might be an issue if you're looking for a model that will quickly heat milk for your morning cup of joe - but it isn't something we felt should hold back from considering this frother among our best options overall because it works well as intended regardless of whether steam holes are present or not.
Coffee Latte Art Stainless Steel Jug
The Star Coffee Milk Frothing Pitcher is a great choice if you're looking for a pitcher to froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes. It's made of 304 stainless steel, which means it's sturdy and won't rust or stain over time. The lid also has two different-sized openings so you can pour milk accurately without spilling.
The large opening on the lid makes this pitcher good for making three to four servings of coffee at a time, while the smaller opening is more suitable for espresso drinks. There are markings etched into both sides of the lid that correspond with the measurements on each side, so you don't need to worry about getting your measurements wrong and misfiring your drink.
One downside is that this pitcher doesn't fit in most traditional coffee makers since it sits much higher than standard carafes or mugs do. You'll want to be sure your machine has room to accommodate this item before buying it though, especially if you plan on using it often as we think most people will after reading our review!
Gevi 12oz/350ml Milk Frothing Pitcher
The Gevi Stainless Steel Frothing Pitcher is a great choice for those who want to get started in the world of frothing. It's easy to clean and doesn't retain odors like some other stainless steel pitchers do.
It also has an elegant design that will look great on your countertop, even if it does cost more than most other frothing pitchers out there. The narrow neck makes it perfect for reaching into the jug without knocking over the pitcher itself, but you'll need to be careful when filling this one or else you might spill some of your coffee on the countertop.
Milk Frothing Pitcher FAQs
You want to find the best milk frothing pitcher, but you don't know where to start.
It can be tough knowing which is the best one for your needs, especially when there are so many different options available. We've compiled a list of the most Frequently Asked Questions about milk frothing pitchers and our top answers below.
This way, you'll feel confident in your purchase!
Do You Need A Frothing Pitcher To Froth Milk?
The simple answer to this question is yes, you do. You can certainly get by without one if you're just making a latte or cappuccino for yourself at home, but if you want to make multiple drinks for guests or family then a frothing pitcher is essential.
You might be wondering why it's not possible to use a mug or bowl to froth milk as that's what baristas do when they're creating your favorite coffee drink in store. The reason this doesn't work at home is because the volume of air that needs to be incorporated into the milk has to be much greater than the volume of milk itself and it takes special equipment and skill to achieve the perfect consistency.
A good quality frothing pitcher will help you achieve this goal though, so don't think that purchasing one is an unnecessary expense unless you only ever plan on making iced lattes with milk from the dairy aisle in your local grocery store!
What Does A Milk Frothing Pitcher Do?
Milk frothing pitchers are specifically designed to create froth or foam in hot or cold milk. The design of a pitcher may vary slightly, but the goal is generally the same: to produce as much volume of foam with as little effort as possible.
A good pitcher should have an ergonomic handle that makes it easy for you to hold while stirring. The spout should be wide enough so that you can quickly and effectively pour the milk into your drink without spilling. Finally, a well-made pitcher will heat up quickly and evenly so that you can get started making your latte right away.
What Size Milk Frothing Jug Is Best?
If you're looking for the best milk frother, it's worth considering which size of jug you want to go with your appliance. While it might be tempting to opt for a larger capacity jug so that you can make more drinks at once, keep in mind that if your machine has a self-pour spout, then it'll be difficult to pour out the contents of a large jug without spilling.
A smaller, 250ml/8oz glass size is easier to handle and avoids spills – perfect if you want cappuccinos made just how you like them. Alternatively, an intermediate 450ml/16oz size means that you won't have to keep going back to the kitchen every time someone wants their coffee topped up – ideal if there's always a queue at the counter.
Is It Better To Froth Milk Hot Or Cold?
Hot milk will create a thicker foam. Cold milk will create a more delicate, coffee-like foam that's perfect for cappuccinos and lattes. The best method depends on what kind of drink you're making, but it also depends on the type of machine you have.
If your machine has separate frother and steamer chambers (such as Nespresso or Sage), heat your milk in the chamber below the one where you'll add your espresso shot. This allows for a richer texture when foaming hot milk because it gives the proteins time to heat up with the rising steam. If you only have one chamber (such as DeLonghi), heat cold or room temperature milk in this space instead.
Machines with a pouring spout, like Jura and Keurig, are designed specifically for creating demi-lattes and other cold beverages; they don't feature separate steamer chambers, so use cold or room temperature milk here.
How Do You Froth Milk For Beginners?
There are several ways to froth milk, including using a hand-held whisk or an electric mixer. The easiest way for beginners is to use a simple handheld milk frother. Pour the desired amount of cold milk into a plastic cup and dip your frother in the cup so that only the top half of the handle is submerged. Then hold it vertically over your cup at arm's length and begin stirring vigorously back and forth until you get a good foam going.
If you want to go all out, an electric stand mixer will give you significantly more volume in your foam than any other method – but these can be expensive and take up counter space unless you're making latte macchiatos on the regular. A third option is to use an Aerolatte (or similar) hand-held battery-operated tool that creates small bursts of air when immersed in hot milk (as opposed to creating continuous currents with a whisk). These work OK if you're just making one or two cups of espresso drinks, but they don't produce nearly as much volume as any other method listed here.
What Can I Use If I Don't Have A Frothing Pitcher?
If you don't have a frothing pitcher, an alternative is to use a microwave-safe bowl that's about the same size as your mug. In this case, add hot water to the cup first, then pour it into the bowl (not all the way up to the top). Then add your milk and any flavorings. Use a hand mixer or a whisk to beat vigorously until you get stiff peaks. Or if you want something closer to latte foam, mix in some whipped cream at this point. Carefully spoon out as much of the liquid foam as possible without disturbing what's left behind (this will help create more volume). Then carefully spoon in your espresso shot on top of that foam and finish off by gently swirling everything together with your spoon or a small spatula. For more details on exactly how to go about making cappuccino in this type of vessel, check out our guide here .
Does Frothing Milk Make It Less Healthy?
Milk is a healthy drink, containing important nutrients such as calcium and vitamins A and D. There are significant differences in the nutritional content of whole milk compared to low-fat or fat-free varieties and these can have an impact on your health.
Whole cow's milk contains about 3.5 percent butterfat whereas reduced fat versions contain just 2 percent. Reduced fat milks also tend to have less sugar than whole milk, with many having no added sweeteners at all.
Foam on top of your latte might initially seem like a good thing but it actually means the beverage you're drinking has been made with UHT (ultra high temperature) treated milk rather than fresh, pasteurized cow's milk which is what you'd expect to find when buying cartons of plain cow's milk from your supermarket shelf. While UHT treated products are widely used across the coffee industry due to their extended shelf life, they don't taste as good and they lack flavor intensity compared to fresh alternatives.
Does Milk Frother Make Coffee Taste Better?
The short answer is yes, a milk frother can make coffee taste better. The long answer is that the addition of hot, foamy milk changes the chemistry of your cup of coffee. Without getting too technical, it cools off your drink while adding air which makes your coffee less acidic – and more smooth and flavorful.
So there are two ways you can use a coffee/espresso machine to make better coffee: 1) by using fresh cold milk; 2) by using a milk frother to add air to the mix. We think both are important!
Do You Pour Frothed Milk Into Coffee?
While it might seem like an obvious choice, be careful not to pour frothed milk directly into your coffee. The reason for this is that the high heat of the coffee will quickly cook the milk and turn it into a curdled mess.
Instead, pour a little bit of cold milk into a mug or cup first, then carefully spoon in some of your hot brew. This way you can achieve all of those delicious latte art designs without ending up with something resembling soup at the bottom of your mug.
What Type Of Milk Is Best For Frothing?
Milk is one of the key ingredients in a latte and it's what makes your drink taste smooth and creamy. But milk also has an effect on how well you can froth your milk for lattes, macchiatos, cappuccinos, etc., so it's important to choose wisely.
It's best to use whole milk in your espresso machine if you're planning to make regular lattes with plenty of body. It'll give you a good consistency without being too heavy or rich.
If you're looking for something more suitable for a macchiato or frappuccino-style drink, then semi-skimmed or skimmed milk is best; but bear in mind that it won't have much fat (or flavor) so might not taste very creamy at all.
Conclusion
The best milk frothing pitcher should be chosen based on your needs and preferences. It should be durable, easy to clean, and have the right size and shape for optimal frothing. Additionally, you want to make sure that it fits in with the rest of your kitchen décor so it doesn't look out of place when not in use! With all these factors taken into account, you're sure to find a great milk frothing pitcher that will help you create delicious lattes at home anytime!
