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Then, slowly lower
pitcher until
tip of
wand is just below
surface of
milk (keeping
circulation going). When you can hear a hissing noise, similar to bacon frying, you have reached
perfect position for
wand to inject air into
milk.
Try to maintain this hissing noise while keeping
milk rotating. You will have to slowly lower
pitcher as
milk volume rises in order to keep
wand tip just under
surface.
By keeping
milk flowing in a rapid circle, any large bubbles that are accidentally created will be rolled into
milk and eliminated. Continue steaming until
milk reaches 145 degrees. Be careful not to get
milk too hot, it will scald giving it a bad taste.
That’s pretty much it! If you have a few large bubbles, you can try to get rid of them by tapping
bottom of
pitcher lightly on
counter. Serve immediately and enjoy some of
silkiest frothed milk you have ever tasted!
One more thing, now that you know how to properly steam
milk, notice how few coffee houses have baristas that take care in this process. Very few use thermometers and end up scalding
milk, or leaving it too cold.
Most will just leave
pitcher sitting there while
wand blows into
milk. Some will use an up and down motion, but this does absolutely nothing for creating tiny, velvety bubbles. It’s
rolling action of
milk that’s needed.
If you find a barista that shows this skill of frothing milk, then stay with him! He’s been trained and probably takes pride in what he does.

Author of the 2BASNOB.com website about the enjoyment of coffee, tea, wine and beer.