Making coffee is a real art; it’s not so easy to decorate a cup of fragrant cappuccino with airy foam. Even despite the fact that all the “hard” work can be done by a special machine, there are a great many rules and recommendations, the observance of which will help to prepare aromatic and tasty coffee. Even the appearance of milk and its fat content are of importance.
How to choose the best milk?
The basis of any tasty foam is the right milk. In a store in the dairy department, my eyes run wide with a variety of products. How to choose the same? You have to spend time and still read what is written on the labels. Of course, the perfect option is natural cow's milk. However, finding such a product, especially for those who live in big cities, is quite difficult. The label means “pasteurized” or “ultra-pasteurized” - both options are suitable, choose according to the principle that is fresh. An option that should immediately be said categorically no is a dry product. Beat beautiful foam with such a product does not work. The right milk for cappuccino is the basis of thick foam.
Fat
An important indicator is the percentage of fat and protein in milk. Professionals of their business say that the foam should be thick, and this viscosity also depends on fat content, which is the basis of excellent coffee.
- Skim milk (0.5 to 2 percent). It is easy to work with such a product, the foam will be magnificent and beautiful. But the taste will be unsaturated and watery.
- Fat milk (from 3 percent and above). The taste of the foam from such milk will be tender, and the texture will be thick. Ideal foam, however, it will not be so easy to whip it.
Professional barista prefer milk with a fat content of 3.5 percent. After all, complexity is the second thing, the main thing is excellent quality. But at home, it is recommended to start with non-skim milk, over time, increasing fat content. The most important rule, which is strictly forbidden to neglect, is the mixing of milk of different fat content. To be sure to get to the point, you can purchase a product specifically designed for latte or cappuccino. As a rule, manufacturers usually indicate this information on the label.
Does protein content matter?
If fat content is most often indicated by large numbers on the packaging, no one pays attention to the amount of protein when buying milk. But as experts say, first of all, it is necessary to look at the protein in the composition. At low rates it is impossible to prepare high-quality and tasty foam. The higher the percentage of protein in milk, the thicker and more tender the foam will be.
Start cooking foam
The process of making foam begins with the heating of milk. The best temperature is 70-75 degrees. Of course, determining it yourself is quite difficult, but outwardly it looks like this: steam begins to rise above the milk in a saucepan, but you can’t bring it to bubbles, that is, to a boil. When steam appears, the fire can be turned off - the milk for the cappuccino is ready.
Bring to a boil and boil it is prohibited. After all, during a boil, it changes its texture, and the foam no longer breaks. The fastest option is microwave heating for one minute.
How and how to beat?
The history of devices for knocking down from ordinary forks began, but today there are a sufficient number of electronic devices. But not every fan of aromatic coffee in the morning has such a tool at home. That is why the plug and whisk to this day are no less relevant devices. Of course, the best option is a coffee machine with a cappuccino machine for the home.
How to beat foam with a fork?
Not sure how to whip milk? This method we offer is the easiest and most affordable for everyone, because a fork can be found in absolutely any kitchen.
And the principle of operation of the milk frother is as follows:
- Pre-heated milk is poured into a deep container so as not to spill the product.
- The container should be tilted slightly and with the help of the most ordinary fork, beat in fast circular movements.
- Duration of whipping is at least 30-40 seconds.
Foam whipped with a fork will not be sufficiently lush and stable.
Bank
Another fairly simple way is a jar with a tight lid. From such an item, you can get a real milk frother for cappuccino. Remember how the bartender is deftly controlled by his shaker, and try to repeat his manipulations.
- Fill the jar with cold milk one-third and tightly tighten the lid so that the liquid does not spill.
- A homemade shaker for at least 30 seconds, ideally a minute.
- It is possible to consider that the foam is ready when the milk volume doubles due to the foam.
- When the foam is whipped, you should send the jar without a lid to the microwave for about 50 seconds.
Due to the temperature, the foam will settle, become denser and denser.
Whisk
The egg beater also copes well with coffee milk. Milk should be preheated, after which they begin to whisk the product actively until foam appears. The average time is 30 seconds.
Manual cappuccino machine
A simple device looks like the most ordinary mixer on an elongated handle. Thanks to mobility, the cappuccino machine can be used both at home and even when traveling in nature. Such a device works on batteries, so it can easily be transported to different places. A large mug or a deep container is used for whipping. The cappuccino maker drops to the very bottom of the container and during beating, carefully lift the appliance up. Refrain from abrupt movements on the surface itself. There is no escape from the spray! The optimal time for whipping milk frother for cappuccino is 20 seconds.
Automatic cappuccino machine
Such machines are usually produced by specialized companies. One of the most popular is the Nespresso brand, which produces coffee machines, special capsules, and cappuccinators. They differ from each other in volume, number of nozzles, which are responsible for the density and density of the foam, as well as the presence of protection against spillage. The universal machine itself warms the milk to the desired temperature, and special marks help to calculate the desired volume. And the result is appropriate - a thick and fragrant foam. Such a milk frother for cappuccino has two drawbacks - not the lowest cost, but in comparison with a fork is generally prohibitive, and the difficulty in washing.
Coffee machine
A built-in cappuccino machine is available in special coffee brewing machines. The principle of operation is similar to a separate cappuccino machine. Prepare cold milk, a special glass or jug, coffee and a cup in advance. It remains to figure out how to whip milk in a coffee machine.
The machine works as follows:
- Pour ground coffee into the holder, pour water into a special compartment.
- Then go to the obscure buttons. First turn on the heating function and steam supply.
- Wait a while until the steam is dry. When it comes to making the perfect cappuccino foam, it’s important not to rush.
- Milk, pre-chilled, is poured into the pitcher - a special container.
- The cappuccino machine sinks to the bottom of the milk container.
- The steam supply is again turned on, which is turned off after the process is completed.
If you do something wrong, the machine will report it without fail. Since the foam from the cappuccino machine is quite dense, you can grate chocolate on top of a cappuccino or latte or sprinkle coffee with whipped cream. A coffee machine with a cappuccino machine for the home is a very useful thing.
How to beat foam for cappuccino
In order to understand whether milk is whipped correctly, you need to evaluate the foam. It should meet the following characteristics:
- The structure of the whipped milk should be uniform.
- Without large bubbles, they can be small but of the same size.
- Sweet taste even without added sweeteners.
In order to learn how to whip the foam with improvised means, you should work out the technique, and in the case of a coffee machine or coffee machine, strictly follow the prescribed instructions.
It is not recommended to overheat milk, otherwise the taste of such a foam will be very specific. After the art of whipping coffee foam is mastered, you can try to draw a picture on it.
How to spread foam on coffee?
Are you already a master at whipping foam? Even the most professional cappuccino maker will not beat her the way you do it with a fork? Do not rush to rejoice, you still need to learn how to spread coffee foam on the drink. The following scenarios exist:
- Stock up on a spoon and, holding the foam, pour the milk into a cup. Next, send coffee there, only slowly and carefully. Then you can safely transfer the foam to the surface of the coffee with milk.
- Milk immediately with froth is sent to the bowl, where coffee is then poured into a small stream. In order not to spoil the beauty, you can do this along the wall of the cup.
In any of the cases, the cup should be warmed up initially so that the foam does not lose its density from a sharp temperature drop. To do this, you can simply rinse the cup with boiling water.
If you decide to please yourself with coffee with alcohol (rum, cognac, liquor), then add it before the foam moves into the cup. The same goes for sugar.