The Easy Way To Get Taller Microfoam On Your Homemade Cappuccino

Conversations about perfecting homemade coffee typically cover the basics: the beans and the brew. Coffee-making tools range from the Chemex to the Keurig, while espresso machines are certain to satisfy your latte, flat white, and cappuccino needs. These machines vary in budget, size, and level of automation, so you can make the espresso of your dreams.

Beyond the actual coffee, however, milk plays an equally important role in your homemade coffee ritual. If you prefer your drink with a lighter color, creamier consistency, and some foam, forgo the black coffee in favor of a cappuccino. Cappuccinos call for way more foam than lattes and have a precise milk to froth ratio.

To perfect your at-home frothing, Forbes recommends all kinds of milk frothers, from handheld to electric. Depending on how often you plan to whip up a morning cappuccino — and how easy you want to make the process — it's important to weigh your options. You can buy a travel milk frother to bring on the go or opt for a stovetop version that lets you steam and froth simultaneously.

However, it's not enough to just have a milk frother; you also need to know the best way to use it — and how to maximize the amount of froth in your next cappuccino. Luckily, there's one easy technique to ensure you'll achieve a perfectly foamy cup of coffee.

If you've ever encountered an Italian cafe, whether in a movie or in person, you've likely noticed cappuccinos that come in low, cozy mugs, with foam practically oozing over the sides. These cappuccinos seem like they're best left to professionals, but, says Italian coffee brand Illy, you can easily make one from your own kitchen. It just takes a little practice and some technique.

To make a cappuccino from home — albeit not just any cappuccino but one with a perfectly tall and shaped froth — you'll want to follow two steps, says YouTuber Brewing Habits. In an instructional video, Brewing Habits recommends steaming and frothing your milk until it results in about 3 cm of microfoam.

When it comes time to pour the steamed milk and froth into your espresso, hold back the foam with a spoon and just add the steamed milk. Once the volume of your espresso is elevated, use the spoon to then scoop the microfoam over your drink. This two-step, slow process allows you to regulate your cappuccino's height and keep the froth, well, frothy.

"Since the microfoam is added in such a controlled manner, you can push the tension of the microfoam a lot," per Brewing Habits. 

If all of this sounds too technical, head to one of the country's best coffee shops. You don't have to be a barista to appreciate a well-made — and well-frothed — cappuccino.