What is the Ideal Temperature for Espresso Latte Milk Froth? Optimal Drinking Temperature for Milk Coffee and Cappuccino

The Perfect Milk Foam Temperature for Hot Coffee

As the temperature drops, more customers at FrontStreet Coffee are ordering hot milk coffee. The combination of heated sweet milk and espresso creates a smooth, fragrant hot latte that truly brings warmth.

To ensure hot lattes don't cool down too quickly after serving, some customers might heat the milk to a higher temperature. At this point, mastering the appropriate milk temperature becomes especially important.

The Ideal Temperature for Milk Foam

The endpoint for milk frothing is determined by our judgment of whether the temperature is sufficiently high. Typically, the milk temperature range for hot milk coffee prepared in coffee shops is set between 55-65°C. Since the milk foam produced during frothing and the liquid milk need sufficient time to be fully mixed and smoothed, the milk must quickly form a vortex after aeration to enter the heating stage.

The range of 50-70°C is precisely when milk properties haven't yet undergone irreversible changes, thus ensuring high stability. Milk foam created within this temperature range yields the most suitable texture for hot milk coffee, and latte art patterns also last longer.

When Milk Foam Exceeds 70°C

When milk temperature is too high, we can feel that the coffee liquid and milk foam are in a separated state when drinking. Due to excessive foaming time, although the temperature of the milk liquid has risen, the foam layer already formed with countless tiny pores hasn't reached the same temperature.

It's this temperature difference that makes us feel the liquid and foam are separated, and excessive heat prevents the tongue from perceiving the smoothness 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, latte art also easily collapses and disintegrates.

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

How to Control Milk Frothing Temperature?

Beginners can first use a thermometer and the palm of their hand to feel the milk temperature.

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

If you have some experience with milk frothing, you can directly judge the milk temperature range by feel. After the foam is smoothed, immerse the steam wand into the milk liquid until the desired temperature is reached.

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

FrontStreet Coffee's baristas will increase the milk foam temperature to 65°C in their daily preparation parameters, which means continuing heating for 3-5 seconds. This allows the hot latte's flavor and aroma to remain balanced without being too hot to affect the taste.

Unlike lattes, cappuccinos have a thick foam layer of about 1.5-2cm, and 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.

For professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style).

For more specialty coffee beans, please add FrontStreet Coffee's private WeChat account: qjcoffeex

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473