Steam Milk

Espresso

Two sounds. That is it.

Milk pitcher tilted into an espresso machine steam wand, milk vortex spinning — Lot | 23 steam milk brew guide

Steaming milk sounds harder than it is. Two sounds, in order.

First sound: paper tearing. That is air going in. The wand tip sits just under the surface, hissing quietly for three to five seconds.

Second sound: paint being stirred. Push the tip deeper, angle it slightly off-centre, and spin the milk into a whirlpool. Silky, glossy, no visible bubbles. Cut it at wrist-hot, tap the jug on the counter, swirl, pour.

Recipe

MilkWhole, cold
VolumeTo the base of the spout
Temperature60–65 °C
Time8–15 s

How to brew

  1. 0:00

    Cold milk in a cold jug. Fill only to the base of the spout.

  2. 0:03

    Purge the wand. Angle the jug. Tip just under the surface.

  3. 0:08

    Hiss 3 to 5 seconds. Sink the tip. Spin into a whirlpool.

  4. 0:15

    Cut it at wrist-hot. Tap, swirl, pour.