Choosing a coffee steamer for home use depends on cost and material quality. Stainless steel wands are essential, and plastic parts should be avoided. The correct temperature is crucial for creating perfectly structured microfoam, and patience is required to master the technique.
While people in some parts of the world have understood the ins and outs of a brilliant cup of coffee for generations, others are in the beginning stages of their love affairs with just how subtle and satisfying a good cup of coffee can be. Home baristas know that making a great cup of espresso or other coffee drink has a lot to do with the machine. Pump machines make a better quality crema but are too expensive for most people. A well-made coffee steamer that uses stainless steel parts and can heat water to the perfect temperature for steam extraction is a better choice for anyone who hasn’t hit the lottery yet.
Coffee steamers boil water into steam and a lot of pressure. When the pressure is high enough, it pushes the steam through the finely ground coffee grounds, drawing out the flavor as it goes. Almost all home espresso machines that are steam models come with stainless steel wands. After the steam is forced through the coffee grounds, there is enough foam left for your cappuccino, latte or other coffee drink.
The best coffee steamer for the home kitchen depends in part on cost. The more expensive machines are designed to create ideal micro-foams. Less expensive models require the milk or cream to be heated in the microwave before frothing. Even with preheating, the resulting foam can be more like meringue than microfoam. Regardless of price, any coffee steamer made with plastic parts should be avoided; plastic is less resistant and, if scratched, can contain dangerous bacteria.
The correct temperature is essential to create the perfectly structured micro foam. The goal is cream or milk heated to exactly 150 degrees Fahrenheit (65 degrees Celsius) after it has been frothed. Milk that is foamed at a higher heat can develop a burnt aroma that transfers its taste to the coffee. It may also break down and lack body, becoming liquid enough to change the mouthfeel of the coffee when added.
Creating an acceptable micro foam at home requires patience. Professional machines can whip up perfectly textured froth in a matter of seconds, but a home coffee steamer, even a good one, will take about two to three minutes. The wand needs to exert enough pressure to create the froth as the barista moves the cup in gentle circles. This technique takes some practice to master.
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