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How to Froth Milk using a Microwave

How to Froth Milk using a Microwave

To jump start my mornings, I absolutely love getting that creamy dollop of milk foam topping on my morning cappuccino.

Sometimes, though, you just don’t have enough time or energy to pop into your local coffee shop, even if it’s just a block or two away!

Luckily, you don’t really need to because did you know that you can make milk foam at home? And without needing a fancy espresso maker?

All you need is some milk, a clean jam jar with a lid, and a microwave.

Yep, that’s all you need to make milk foam at home!

Making milk foam in the microwave is a two-step process:

First, you shake the milk vigorously in a jar to create foam.

Second, you microwave it for a few seconds to stabilize the foam.

Without the microwaving step, the milk foam will quickly collapse back into the milk.

As a bonus, you also get some warm milk to pour in your coffee! As long as you have a great coffee blend, you’ll be able to make a hot cappuccino at home that will rival any coffee shop!

What Kind of Milk Should I Use?

If there is one place and time where you should use low-fat milk, it’s making milk foam at home!

Low-fat milk varieties such as 2% and non-fat contain whey proteins that act as “stabilizers”, which hold the foam and keep them in place when heated.

I’ve have tried this microwave method with different types of milk: nonfat milk, 2% milk, whole fat milk, and even heavy cream, and based from my experience, it’s the nonfat and 2% milk that win every time.

They both come out of the microwave with impressive stacks of foam that look like they were made with an actual espresso machine!

Using the Milk Foam

After the milk foam has been stabilized in the microwave, it is so thick that you can literally spoon it into your coffee mug.

If you want to add a little of the warmed milk as well, simply use your spoon to hold back the foam while you pour a little into your coffee, then spoon the foam on top, barista-style.

If there is one caveat with making milk foam without using a legitimate espresso maker, it’s that milk done using the microwave method is not as stable or long-lasting.

In fact, the foam will start to dissipate within a few minutes, so make sure to use the foam immediately.

How To Froth Milk Using A Microwave

How To Froth Milk Using A Microwave

This is how to make froth milk using a microwave. Follow these three simple steps so you can make one now!

Ingredients

  • Milk
  • Jam jar with a lid
  • Microwave

Instructions

  1. Add the milk to the jam jar, cover and close tightly with the jar lid, then shake vigorously to create foam. 
  2. Microwave it for a few seconds to stabilize the foam. 
  3. Serve and enjoy. 

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