Steaming milk is a great way to give it a frothy, smooth texture that enhances any hot drink. It’s often used to create latte art, and you’ll notice that most coffee shops steam the cow or oat milk that they use. But can you steam almond milk the same way?
To steam almond milk, use a dedicated steamer — like those found on most espresso machines — or froth it with other methods (such as a blender, a French press, or a whisk) and then heat it up. To prevent your almond milk from curdling, try adding the milk to your cup before pouring in the coffee.
Let’s take a closer look at how to steam almond milk using a steamer and other methods, as well as what you can do to make sure you get the best possible results every time.
How to Steam Almond Milk Using a Steamer
If you have an espresso machine (which you can buy on Amazon), then you probably already have a steamer on there, and you won’t need to worry about finding alternative methods.
To use your steamer, pour the almond milk (on Amazon) into a metal cup or pitcher and then place the pitcher underneath the steamer. There should be a wand that extends out, which you can insert into the jug.
Turn the steamer on and then move the pitcher around in circles and also up and down, ensuring that the bubbles disperse.
You’ll want to make sure the milk has almost doubled in size before you remove the steamer wand from it — this is a good sign that it’s ready.
How to Steam Almond Milk Without a Steamer
If you don’t own an espresso machine, don’t worry! There are other ways to go about steaming your almond milk.
The first method is with a microwave. You can put the milk into a microwave safe jar, seal it tightly, and then shake it up and down until you see bubbles.
Once you’ve done this, take off the lid and microwave the jar until it’s hot (approximately 30-45 seconds). It will have a very similar texture to professionally steamed milk.
You can also heat up milk on the stove and then use one of the following methods:
Regardless of which of these methods you use after you’ve gently heated your milk on the stove, you should start mixing the milk at a slow speed. Gradually increase until your tool is at the highest speed, and then you can remove the milk.
You should now have steamed almond milk!
What Temperature Should Your Milk Reach?
The ideal temperature for steamed milk is around 160 degrees Fahrenheit, though it’s fine for this to be a few degrees out in either direction. If the milk gets too hot, then the proteins will break down and your frothed milk can be ruined.
It’s important to keep an eye on it. A general rule is that if the container gets so hot that you can’t hold it for more than a few seconds, the milk is ready and you shouldn’t heat it up anymore.
How to Prevent Your Almond Milk From Curdling
When you pour almond milk into coffee, there’s a chance that it will curdle if it wasn’t prepared correctly. Luckily, there are a few ways to prevent this.
Your almond milk might be curdling due to the acidity of the coffee or because it got too hot.
Add the Milk Before the Coffee
While experienced coffee drinkers typically add the milk after the coffee and may cringe hearing that it’s done any other way, it’s actually a great idea to add the milk before the coffee in the case of almond milk.
The reason for this is that when the coffee is poured into the milk, the milk can rise slowly in temperature. This helps prevent the shock that will cause it to curdle.
Preheat the Milk Gently
Before you add the milk to your coffee, make sure you preheat it gently so that the temperature rises slowly. The reason almond milk might curdle is because of the shock of the temperature itself, not necessarily how high it is. By preheating, you can prevent that shock.
Drink Colder Coffee
If you love your coffee piping hot, then almond milk might not be the best alternative milk for you. Almond milk can’t handle high heat the same way that dairy milk can, meaning you’ll definitely notice more curdling when you use it. For a better experience, try cold brew or iced coffee.
Dilute the Coffee
Diluting the coffee with water before adding the milk may also help reduce the acidity of the coffee. For those who want a strong caffeine kick in the morning, however, this may not be the most ideal solution. After all, it will certainly weaken the effect.
Try a Different Coffee
Coffees vary in acidity, and if yours is causing your almond milk to curdle regardless of what you do, it may simply be that the coffee you’re using is too acidic. Other coffees may work better with almond milk.
Which Dairy-Free Milk Is Best for Frothing?
When it comes to cow milk, 2% and low-fat milk are the best for frothing because they come up with a creamier consistency. Starbucks also uses nonfat milk, which may surprise people, since their cold foam tastes so rich.
However, things get a little more complicated with dairy-free milk, as it depends on the result you’re going for.
For example, if you want to create latte art with your coffee, then almond milk is the way to go. It creates a dense consistency that allows it to hold its shape while still being creamy. Coconut milk and oat milk are also great because it’s high in fat and that creates a rich texture and taste.
Most other plant-based milk will froth just fine, but you should avoid cashew milk and rice milk. Rice milk has a low fat content, so it doesn’t froth well at all, and cashew milk has too much of a watery consistency.
Overall, almond milk is a great choice for both steaming and frothing, but you do have to be careful in some cases. Because it can curdle easily, you need to take care with the temperature and acidity of the coffee.
Nonetheless, almond milk can be frothed and steamed with many different tools, and once you get the hang of it, it’ll be a great addition to your morning coffee.