A cup of coffee is not only a habit or a ritual. It helps us wake up early in the morning and not be lethargic at work, relax, or keep us from falling asleep when important preparation for an exam is just around the corner. Coffee acts as a connecting material between people. For example, not a single romantic evening or business meeting is complete without it. Most people like to drink coffee with milk. But to prepare it, you need to purchase a device called a “cappuccino maker.” Let's figure out what it is, why we need it, how it works and what are the advantages of using it?
What is it - a cappuccino maker
Depending on the type of device, cappuccino makers may vary. However, a cappuccino maker is always a device for removing excess steam from a coffee machine, which can be used to froth milk or cream.
A cappuccino maker is a device for removing excess steam from a coffee machine, which can be used to froth milk or cream.
When were they invented
Cappuccino first appeared in Italy, where they decided to add whipped milk foam to coffee. Legend has it that it was invented by Capuchin monks, hence the name of the drink. They drank coffee with milk and noticed that when the liquid was suddenly poured into the container, a tasty foam was obtained. Then they decided to froth the milk separately and then add it to the coffee. However, the foam was not dense and stable enough, so the monks began to use cream, and to maintain the warm temperature of the coffee, they decided to heat it before adding it to the drink.
The simplest jug can rightfully be considered the first cappuccino maker.
What are they used for? Advantages
A milk frother is a milk frother for coffee. It usually comes with the coffee maker, but special milk frothers can be purchased separately.
A milk frother is a milk frother for coffee.
The manual cappuccino machine has a number of advantages:
- The kit usually includes additional attachments to simplify the work;
- It not only froths the milk, but also heats it, which can be useful;
- With good skill, he allows you to make milk foam efficiently and quickly, better than analogues;
- The foam preparation process is completely controlled by the barista;
- Making high-quality foam using a cappuccino maker is easier than doing it manually using a kitchen whisk or shaker.
Manual model - how to use
A hand mixer also works well with milk. This device runs on batteries or is connected to the network. Consists of a long nozzle and a handle with a start button.
At the end there is a metal nozzle in the form of a spirally twisted wire. It is this that ensures the increase in milk foam volume. There are devices with a heating function. Without heating it is suitable for those people who prefer cold coffee drinks.
To get a high, fluffy foam, it is advisable to use whole homemade milk with a fat content of 4.5 - 5%. If someone restricts themselves in calories, the effect of cappuccino will be less pronounced, but the taste will not change.
Cold milk froths better, so do not heat it on the stove before making cappuccino.
Option! The foam can be made with a French press by pouring milk into it and pulling the upper moving part - the piston - several times. The result is an effect no worse than that of an automatic machine.
Varieties
Although the article is devoted to the manual type of cappuccino makers, one cannot help but say about other types of this device. In general, they can be divided into several groups:
- Manual;
- Semi-automatic;
- Auto;
- Foam frother (mechanical cappuccino machine).
Let's look at each type in more detail.
Manual. This is the most common type of cappuccino maker installed in coffee makers. The operating principle of a manual cappuccino maker is simple: water vapor is created, which comes out under pressure through the cappuccino maker tube and accelerates the milk, saturating it with air. In more advanced models, it is possible to regulate the degree of steam supply, thereby simplifying the production of foam for different drinks.
The operating principle of a manual cappuccino maker is simple: water vapor is created, which comes out under pressure through the cappuccino maker tube and accelerates the milk, saturating it with air.
Although it is not the most user-friendly for beginners, it is loved by professionals because, unlike other types of devices, a manual coffee maker has complete control over the milk frothing process, which allows you to make better coffee.
Semi-automatic. These coffee makers make cappuccino in two stages: they prepare and pour espresso, and then heat, froth and pour milk or cream. They do not have an internal compartment for milk; it must be supplied from an external container through a special tube. In these cappuccino makers there is no way to adjust the density of the foam, keep in mind. Also, such a machine requires more maintenance.
In such cappuccino makers there is no way to adjust the density of the foam.
Auto. The most expensive and advanced models of coffee makers with cappuccino makers. To prepare a drink, just one press of the desired button is enough. The coffee machine itself will prepare both coffee and milk foam for it, and the user can only fill the compartments with the necessary ingredients and clean the device in time.
To prepare a drink, just one press of the desired button is enough.
The milk is stored in a special container; it can be removed and stored separately in the refrigerator. The best models allow you to choose the amount of milk foam and its density, which greatly simplifies the work of the barista.
Foamer. Buying a foam frother is a very good addition to a simple coffee maker, even if it already has a built-in cappuccino maker. Because sometimes using a small device is easier and faster.
You can use it to independently regulate the degree of milk froth.
Modern frothers are divided into two types:
- With capacity;
- Handheld mini mixer.
The first one is more like a regular mixer or juicer, only intended for something else. It's simple: pour milk or cream into a container, close the lid and turn it on. All is ready!
A hand frother is very similar to a hand mixer, only smaller in size. Its biggest advantage is its ease of use and maintenance. You can also independently regulate the degree of milk froth.
It must be remembered that frothers will not be able to heat the milk very much, so the drink will be cooler than with standard cappuccino makers.
Steam cappuccino maker: device features
Why do you need a steam milk frother? Owners of coffee machines would hardly be satisfied with drinking only classic coffee.
And in order to prepare a tasty and aromatic drink with the addition of milk, sometimes you simply cannot do without beautiful and delicate foam.
In such a situation, a steam cappuccino maker can help out. What can he do?
Thanks to this ingenious device, you can easily prepare the following types of drinks:
- cappuccino;
- macciatto;
- con leche;
- latte;
- mocaccino.
Steam frothers are connected to the coffee machine in two ways:
- On some equipment models, the beater is connected instead of the panarello. When you turn on the coffee machine, milk is automatically drawn into the frother by a special tube, where foam is formed. Then, through a special hole it is poured into a cup;
- In modern models of coffee machines, cappuccino makers are either integrated into the equipment itself or connected to a special connector in the dispenser. In this case, milk drinks are obtained by pressing only one button, since the entire process occurs automatically.
In both options, the cappuccino maker itself works the same. The only difference is that the second option is more automated. However, such equipment costs much more. In addition, in some models the foamer is washed independently, so the happy owner of the equipment does not even have to clean the equipment after preparing the drink.
The best manufacturers
The number of coffee machine manufacturers is constantly growing, which can be confusing when purchasing. However, the most popular products are from Bosch, Nespresso, Melitta, Smeg, De'longhi and Ascaso. They have long established themselves as companies that make high-quality and convenient devices.
The more complex and expensive the device, the more maintenance it needs.
The more complex and expensive the device, the more maintenance it needs. The simplest option in this case would be to use a separate frother or a coffee maker with a manual cappuccino maker. Take this into account when choosing.
Autonomous beater: types and features
What is a stand-alone beater? Already from the name it becomes clear that this technique works on its own, without connecting to a coffee machine.
There are two types of autonomous foamers:
- Manual. This type of device is very reminiscent of a hand mixer, and it works on the same principle: the liquid foams due to the introduction of a whisk into it, due to the rapid rotation of which the milk is enriched with oxygen;
- Auto. The foamer is a stainless steel reservoir, inside of which there is a special spring, which is driven by an electric motor. The movement of the spring makes the milk froth. Such equipment can come with or without heating.
Obviously, the most budget option would be to purchase a modern manual milk frother. Such a device can be powered by mains power or batteries. It is quite easy to care for and the device itself does not take up much space.
How to choose correctly
When choosing a coffee machine with a manual cappuccino maker, you need to pay more attention to the functions of the coffee maker itself, and only then to the capabilities of the cappuccino maker. However, some points are still worth considering:
- Check the cappuccino maker tube – it should be long enough to reach the milk in your container;
- It would also be desirable to have removable nozzles on the tube, this will make it easier to learn how to prepare foam for coffee;
- Another good addition is the ability to adjust the steam pressure.
When choosing a coffee machine with a manual cappuccino maker, you need to pay more attention to the functions of the coffee maker itself, and only then to the capabilities of the cappuccino maker.
How to care
It may seem that using a manual cappuccino maker is simple and requires no maintenance. But if you don’t wipe it with a cloth after work, the milk will easily dry out and then it will be difficult to wipe it off. Also, milk may end up inside the tube itself, so it is recommended to release a little steam into the air before and after use to remove dust and milk residues.
It is recommended to release a little steam into the air before and after use to remove dust and milk residues.
Now we will talk about how to use the cappuccino maker:
- Prepare a container, put the milk in the refrigerator, and also pour water into the coffee machine and turn on steam production;
- Pour the milk into the container and bring it to the cappuccino maker tube so that it drops 1-1.5 centimeters into the liquid. Now tilt the container so that the steam coming out of the tube swirls the milk in the container, so it will foam faster and better;
- Slowly start turning on the steam supply, gradually increasing it (if possible), also raise and lower the container to froth the milk evenly;
- Continue beating until desired consistency is achieved. The main thing here is not to overheat the milk, otherwise it can boil. Ideally, the temperature should not exceed 65 degrees;
That’s it – the foam is ready, you can add it to your coffee!
Always keep a small cloth near the coffee maker to wipe away excess water.
The cappuccino maker is indispensable for making coffee with foam.
Having examined why a manual cappuccino maker is needed, we can draw conclusions about how indispensable it is in making coffee. It has many advantages compared to other analogues.
What is a foaming agent?
A milk frother or, as it is also called, a cappuccino machine, is a device that, while frothing milk, enriches it with oxygen, due to which thick foam forms on the surface of the liquid.
Thanks to this technique, you can prepare espresso-based coffee drinks that have improved taste compared to traditional coffee. There are two main types of cappuccino makers: mechanical (manual) and automatic, which is connected to a coffee machine.
The automatic milk frother is equipped with a spray nozzle, due to which the milk is mixed with hot steam. Thanks to this process, a beautiful milk foam is formed on the surface of the drink. In the version with a mechanical device, the whipping of thick foam occurs due to the enrichment of the liquid with air bubbles: in the stainless steel container into which the milk is poured, there is a spring, the rotation of which causes foam to form.
