Whether it's a latte macchiato, cappuccino or espresso macchiato, it's truly rounded off only with the crowning touch of creamy milk foam. Classic cow's milk in coffee is out of the question, especially for vegans or lactose intolerant people, so in this article we present some plant-based milk alternatives.
What makes good milk foam?
4 criteria are particularly important for a successful milk froth:
degree of freshness
temperature
proteinaceous
fat content
The higher the fat content, the better the milk can foam. The high protein content makes the milk foam last longer. Baristas face a particular challenge here, as the fat and protein content of plant-based milk is extremely low.
Innovative: frothy almond milk
Almond milk is made from almonds and water and is completely lactose and gluten-free. The special thing about this milk alternative is the light almond note that is definitely revealed during the manufacturing process. But back to the first question: Can you froth almond milk? Yes! Foam made from almond milk is characterized, first of all, by its creamy and special taste. A real delight with a cappuccino or a latte macchiato. Chilled almond milk is best frothed, room temperature is fine too. Under no circumstances should it be hot.
The classic: soy milk for coffee
Soy milk is definitely a classic among dairy alternatives. Made from pressed soybeans and water, soy milk resembles cow's milk in its consistency and slightly yellowish color, but has a very nutty flavor. Soy milk is also good for frothing and can also be used to create great latte art. By the way, the variant with 2% protein is the best. However, unlike almond milk, soy milk must be heated before frothing.
Exotic features: coconut, cashew
Finally, we would like to introduce you to less common vegan milk alternatives. Coconut milk consists of pulp that has been mashed and then pressed. While coconut milk is high in fat and extremely healthy, it is difficult to froth. The same problem exists with cashew milk. Fat ratios are also very high and the taste is very dominant. However, fine-mesh foam is less suitable for a cappuccino or latte macchiato. The best plant milk for frothing is actually spelled milk. It has a very sweet taste with a fine-grained note and can foam up wonderfully creamy and finely porous.