The Art of Steaming Milk

07Nov06

      Some of you might already know how to steam your milk or get the rough idea, but actually, getting good steamed milk and froth is a very hard thing to do. I’m going to show you how to manually steam you milk step-by-step and if by any chance if you are lost and want to ask questions, you mail email me at shikinr@gmail.com For some of you who have an automatic steamer, I do not normally recommend having one, but you may learn how to do these steps as well. So let’s get down to it.

1. Slowly and lightly pour your milk (either fresh/ low fat milk) to less than half of the milk pot (I recommend having a milk pot of at least 1 liter). This is to reduce the amount of bubbles formed on the surface of the milk.
2. Place a thermometer into the milk pot. Make sure that the thermometer is clipped on to the inside of the milk pot and that the bulb or tip of the thermometer is not touching the bottom of the milk pot. This is to prevent the thermometer from measuring the milk pot instead of the milk.
3. Pre-heat the steam rod by switching it on to its minimum power for at least five seconds. Switch it off. Make sure that the steam rod is hot by lightly touching its surface.
4. Place the stead rod into the surface of the milk as you lift your milk pot.
5. Slowly switch on the steam rod to its maximum pressure.
6. At the same time, lower your milk pot slowly. You will hear a hissing sound, letting you know that froth is being formed.
7. Hold the milk pot at the present position till the hissing sound dies down and be sure to have a smooth milk surface with no bubbles.
8. When there is no more sound to be heard, lower the milk pot down again to the surface of the new level of milk.
9. When your thermometer reads 120˚F, your milk should be at least ¾ full.
10. If you would like more froth (for cappuccino), by all means repeat step number 6.
11. From here, you may continue steaming the milk until it reaches 150-160˚F. If you want your drink really hot, you may want to steam it till 180˚F. Take note that milk will be ‘burnt’ if it is heated above 180ºF.
12. Let your milk ‘settle down’ for at least 3 minutes before making your drink.
13. If you have loads of bubbles formed on the surface after steaming your milk and your froth is not sweet enough, do not worry and try steaming again.
14. Practice Makes Perfect.

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