What is the Ideal Temperature for Hot Latte Milk Foam? What Temperature Makes a Cappuccino Delicious?

As temperatures drop, more and more customers at FrontStreet Coffee are ordering hot milk coffees. Heated sweet milk combined with espresso creates a smooth, aromatic hot latte that truly brings warmth.

To prevent hot lattes from cooling down too quickly after serving, some friends might heat the milk to a higher temperature. At this time, maintaining an appropriate milk temperature becomes especially important.

Ideal Temperature for Milk Foam

The endpoint for milk foam steaming is determined by our judgment of whether the temperature is sufficiently high. Typically, FrontStreet Coffee sets the milk temperature range for hot milk coffees between 55-65°C.

Since the foam generated during steaming needs sufficient time to mix thoroughly with the liquid milk, the milk should quickly form a vortex after air incorporation to enter the heating phase.

The 50-70°C range represents a period when milk properties have not yet irreversibly changed, thus ensuring high stability. Hot milk coffees made with foam in this temperature range offer the most suitable taste, and latte art patterns also last longer.

When Milk Foam Exceeds 70°C

When milk temperature is too high, we can sense that the coffee liquid and foam are in a separated state when drinking. Due to excessive foaming time, although the milk liquid temperature has risen, the foam layer with its numerous tiny pores has not reached the same temperature.

This temperature difference makes us feel that the liquid and foam are separated, and the excessive heat prevents the tongue from perceiving the creaminess of the foam layer. The higher the temperature of the milk coffee, the greater this temperature difference becomes.

Additionally, when milk temperature rises above 70°C, it smells distinctly milky but tastes very plain with a milky aftertaste and rough texture. When incorporated into coffee liquid, latte art also easily collapses and breaks down.

This is because excessive temperature causes proteins in the milk to break down, reducing the stability of the foam, which consequently decomposes quickly.

How to Control Milk Steaming Temperature?

Beginners can start by using both a thermometer and their palm to sense milk temperature.

Typically, milk begins to feel warm when heated to 40°C. The heating rate depends on the steam wand temperature, steam volume, and the amount of liquid in the pitcher. When your palm feels a burning sensation, it indicates the temperature has reached 55°C or above. At this point, we should remember this feeling.

If you have some experience with milk frothing, you can directly judge the milk temperature range by touch. After the foam becomes smooth, immerse the steam wand in the milk liquid until reaching the desired temperature.

In the low-temperature environment of autumn and winter seasons, hot beverages cool down more quickly. For serving vessels, we can preheat cups first or choose materials with better insulation properties, such as ceramic cups.

FrontStreet Coffee's baristas increase the milk foam temperature to 65°C in their daily production parameters, which means continuing to heat for 3-5 seconds. This allows hot lattes to achieve balanced flavor and aroma without being too hot to affect the mouthfeel.

Unlike lattes, cappuccinos have a thick foam layer of about 1.5-2cm, as people want to experience more foam texture. FrontStreet Coffee suggests controlling cappuccino milk temperature below 60°C, allowing for large sips without burning the mouth.

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Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473