what is steamed milk

Steamed milk is a type of milk that has been heated and lightly emulsified by the steam wand of an espresso machine. It is different from frothed milk, which is much lighter and has more air incorporated into it. Steamed milk is created by exposing milk to steam from the steam wand attached to an espresso machine and is slowly introduced to the milk until the fats break down and expand to create tiny microbubbles, known as microfoam. The result is a silky smooth textured milk that complements any espresso-based drink. Steamed milk is often heavy and dense, and it is used in a variety of different coffee and espresso drinks, including lattes, cappuccinos, and mochas. To steam milk, you need an espresso machine with a steam wand, which is used to heat and froth the milk. However, there are also other ways to steam milk without a steam wand, such as using a milk frother or a French press.