So why do you foam milk? Because everyone else is doing it? Because you can't drink straight espresso all the time? Because it's what the customer demands? Because without pouring latte art, you feel strangely diminished and unfulfilled?

No. Milk has been the happy accessory to espresso since espresso was made with giant steam engines sitting on top of ornate countertops well over a hundred years ago. It's a happy medium because milk helps elevate, enhance, modify, and even soften the sensory experience of coffee, and in particular, espresso.

Let's start right there: the sensory experience. Coffee is a sensory experience. One of the best sensory experiences in the entire food and beverage world. Because it is so sensory, it's our guile and desire to do anything we can to maximize that experience.

That thought, that thread of truth about coffee and how we want to maximize is the manifesto on our journey to prepare the finest foamed and textured milk your kitchen has ever seen. To elevate the sensory boost that properly foamed and steamed milk can provide. Because he's a real truth: anyone with an espresso machine with a steam wand can steam and froth milk. The real trick is, gaining the knowledge and experience to steam and froth milk well. Well to the point where you maximize the foam's perceived sweetness levels enough that you'll convince people you added sugar to their cappuccino. To texture milk so well that pouring latte art is an absolute breeze. To make your addition of milk to an espresso beverage a case of the "sum is greater than the parts". That's the trial, and the joy this guide will explore.

Where Do We Go From Here? Or How to Use this Guide?

There are a bunch of different avenues you can travel along within our Guide to Frothing Milk.  Depending on your level of experience etc., you may want to jump straight to a particular section or meander along going from front to back, leaving no stone unturned on your journey to becoming a milk steaming superstar.

	Tools of the Trade Everyone's gotta start somewhere, and this is where we begin the journey to becoming milk maestros: the equipment you truly need, and even the equipment you can do without.
	Build Those Drinks A brief, but pertinent primer on some of the classic combinations of espresso and milk. Wet your appetite for where we're going and how you're going to reward yourself once you get this whole milk frothing thing figured out.
	Hello Milk! Approach this section with caution. Hello Milk is a very detailed look at milk with a nod to its chemistry and how the chemistry impacts our ability to steam and foam the milk. Consider this section supplemental reading for keen students only.
	Frothing for Newbies & Intermediates The real meat is here - a beginner and advanced look at milk frothing, including visual how tos and step by step guides and photos to get you going.
	The Big Leagues: Steaming with Prosumer Machines We step up to the big leagues, and talk about advanced techniques on some of the more advanced prosumer machines on the market.
	Latte Art Guide This is the carrot. Latte art on a home machine is a reality. When you think you’re ready have a read and then give’r.
	Latte Art Examples by CoffeeGeeks Latte art is possible in the home - even with ultra budget machines. It's all about practice, style, and knowing your tools - see some examples by CoffeeGeek members.