Easy steps for frothing milk

Milk texturing is the steaming of milk to heat it and to create froth. Similar to making an espresso, perfecting the art of milk texturing takes time and practice.

•Attach the froth enhancing attachment to the end of the steam wand/arm on your espresso machine. You can also choose to steam the milk without the attachment.

•Using fresh, cold milk, fill a stainless steel frothing jug to no more than 1/3 full.

•The amount of milk you steam should be adequate for the coffees you are preparing. Keep in mind that the volume of milk will increase or ‘stretch’ during the texturing process.

•Turn the steam dial to the ‘Pre-Heat’ setting (20), the ‘Warm-Up’ light will turn on. Place the steam wand/arm into the milk, about a centimetre below the

surface. Once the 'Warm-Up’ light turns off, turn the steam dial to the steam ‘ ’ setting (21). Lower the jug so that the tip of the steam arm is just below the surface of the milk.

Note: You should hear a hissing sound. If you are creating large bubbles, raise the jug so that the tip of the steam arm is lowered into the milk.

•Position the tip of the steam arm to one side of the jug to create a whirlpool motion in the milk. As the milk begins to rise in the jug, follow the level of milk always keeping the steam arm just below the surface.

•Once the milk has stretched to double its original volume, lower the steam arm further into the milk and continue the whirlpool motion. This will give the milk a fine texture without big bubbles.

•Cease steaming when the frothing jug becomes too hot to continue holding the palm of your hand against the side.

•Pour the textured milk into your espresso as soon as possible.

Important cleaning instructions for the steam wand/arm

The steam wand/arm and froth enhancing attachment needs to be cleaned each time you froth milk. To clean the steam wand/arm, wipe with a damp cloth and rinse the froth enhancing attachment under warm water. Should your steam wand/arm become blocked, supplied with your espresso machine is a cleaning wire. The cleaning wire for the steam arm is the long BLACK pin, located on the underside of the water reservoir lid (22). With the cleaning wire insert it into the hole in the base of the steam wand/arm (23).

If the steam wand/arm remains blocked, using the measuring spoon/tamp unscrew the steam nozzle from the steam arm (24). Clean the steam nozzle by once again using the cleaning wire and then flush under running water.