What’s the Difference Between Frothed Milk and Steamed Milk?

The Internet would be a more peaceful place were it not for heated debate over the merits of one version of foamy milk versus another version of foamy milk. One can only hope this gets resolved without resorting to barista-on-barista violence in the streets.

 There’s the temperature, of course.  But the differences go beyond that. And, as we like to say here, the difference is in the details. Let’s wade in…

 Frothed milk is milk that’s been aerated to create a layer of foam on top.  This is typically achieved using a milk frother or a steam wand attachment.  You might be thinking “A steam wand for frothing?” How can that be?”

 I know, I know. Yet another reason this subject is so touchy.

 At any rate, the process of frothing milk involves injecting air into the milk, which creates bubbles and increases its volume.  Frothed milk has a light, airy texture with a layer of foam on top—similar to the consistency of whipped cream. It’s most often used to top drinks like cappuccinos and lattes.

 Steamed milk, on the other hand, is milk that has been heated and textured using the steam wand on an espresso machine. (Yep. The same steam wand.)

The steam wand emits hot steam (obviously) which heats the milk while simultaneously creating a velvety, smooth texture. Steamed milk has a creamy texture with tiny microfoam bubbles dispersed throughout, resulting in a silky mouthfeel. It does not typically have a thick layer of foam on top like frothed milk.

To sum it up, frothed milk is thicker, with a mouthfeel similar to whipped cream, while steamed milk has a more finely textured foam with a creamier mouthfeel. Also, you can use a steamer to froth milk, but you can’t use a frother to steam milk.

Our official position at MochaSurf is to remain neutral in this debate, believing that each method serves its own purpose and that either method produces a delicious result. There, we said it.  Whew.

 We’ll devote a separate article on how to achieve a perfect steam or froth. In the meantime, if you want experiment with either method at home, make your way to our store, where you’ll find an array of tools to help you become the steamer—or frother—of your dreams.