Coffee has become a staple of our culture. We drink coffee in the mornings, afternoons, after dinner, throughout the work day, you name it! In addition, the latte and the cappuccino are some of the world’s most favoured types of coffees due to their rich flavor and creamy, frothy milk on the top.
Making the switch to milk alternatives such as almond milk is great for the environment, and perfect if you want to lead an animal cruelty-free lifestyle, however what does this mean for your favorite lattes?
You may be wondering whether you can froth up almond milk for that perfect latte or cappuccino, and whether it is possible. Luckily, the answer is yes! Many vegans find the switch from dairy products to vegan alternatives such as almond milk easy, but just simply cannot crack the lattes.
Almond milk simply does not froth up as easily as regular cow’s milk, and so there is quite an art to it. Getting that beautiful, silky, soft foam is no easy task, and if you want those creamy lattes and cappuccinos in the morning, this is a skill that you will need.
What makes a good milk froth?
Let’s be honest, the coffee is delicious, but without that topping of light, frothy milk, it’s just not as good. But what makes it so perfect? There are a few factors that make the perfect milk foam. These are the freshness of the milk, the temperature, the fat content and the protein content.
The freshness of the milk is what makes it taste great, and the temperature is so important. However, the fat and protein content of the milk is what makes the foam last longer and foam up better. Since there is a very low fat and protein content in vegan milks such as almond milk, it is much more difficult to froth.
Why is almond milk difficult to froth?
Almond milk is a little more temperamental than normal milk, and so you will have to be careful when frothing up your almond milk for your morning coffees!
There are actually a few contributing factors that will affect how your almond milk froth turns out. These are the temperature of the almond milk, the quality of the milk and the almonds used, along with the milk’s macronutrient content.
To make your almond milk frothing so much easier, we recommend using the highest quality milk, made with only the finest almonds. In addition, almond milk will need to be frothed at a particular temperature for the best results, and for that truly creamy finish.
When it comes to making the perfect froth, temperature is very important. If using a steamer to make your frothy almond milk, then you will want to froth it between 150 and 155 degrees Fahrenheit for the best results.
Ways to froth almond milk
When it comes to frothing milk, there are a few ways in which you can do this. The most common ways are:
- With a wand frother
- With a steam wand
- With a microwave
How to froth almond milk
As mentioned before, you can successfully froth almond milk with either a steam wand, wand frother or a microwave.
How to froth almond milk with a wand frother:
Wand frothers are an easy to use, handheld milk frothing device. These are relatively inexpensive and great for making that silky froth for your coffees.
To froth almond milk using this method, all you have to do is gently heat up the almond milk on the stove in a saucepan first. This is so you get the optimal temperature for your coffee.
Whilst the milk heats, you will then want to hold the hand held wand frother over the top of the milk’s surface and foam it up. This will create that foamy, silky, creamy layer on the top of your coffee.
Remember that with a wand frother, keeping it submerged in the milk completely will not give you a good enough foam, so you will need to keep it on the surface for the best results!
How to froth almond milk with a steam wand
If you want to froth your almond milk like one of the pros, then you will have to employ your barista skills. A steam wand is usually attached to an espresso machine, and are the same tools that baristas use to warm and froth our milk.
The best way to use the steam wand is to ensure that there is enough milk so that the steam wand will dip into the cup to the level of about a fingernail.
Then, you can turn the steamer on, and work it until you see micro bubbles coming to the top of the cup, and when the milk almost doubles in volume.
All you have to do then is pour the hot almond milk into the coffee cup, and you can enjoy a delicious barista style latte or cappuccino.
How to froth almond milk with a microwave
You may be surprised to find that you can easily froth almond milk in a microwave in a matter of seconds! This method is perfect if you do not have, or do not want the fuss of using a milk frothing wand or steam wand.
All you need to do is pour your fresh almond milk into a microwave safe jar, and cover with a tight fitting lid. Then, vigorously shake the jar for about 1 minute or until you see the milk double in volume. Once this happens, quickly remove the lid and place the almond milk jar in the microwave for about 30 seconds.
Using the microwave will help to keep the bubbles nice and frothy, and will give you a good layer of even foam for your coffee! Then, all you have to do is pour it on and enjoy.
Best Almond Milk for Frothing
If you are ready to froth up some almond milk for yourself, then we have a few options that you can use.
Some of the best baristas swear by the Almond Breeze Barista Almond Milk, as it is perfect for creating that creamy froth that customers love.
Califia Farms also provide their own Almond Original Barista Blend that is specifically formulated for optimal almond milk frothing!
