I’m a coffee fiend and my Starbucks/Caribou Coffee habit was getting a little out of control. Between driving to Starbucks every time I got a hankering for a latte and then spending about $5 each time (more if my daughter wanted a hot chocolate), I was spending way too much and we were both consuming way too much sugar.
One day in Target (with a Starbucks latte in hand, no less), I found an inexpensive milk frother by Bodum Schiuma and immediately snatched it up. I think it was around $12; the price isn’t listed online because it’s out of stock. Why I like it:
- It’s quick.
- It’s easy to use.
- It uses two AA batteries, which I tend to have lying around the house anyway.
- It doesn’t take up a lot of counter space like a full espresso machine and milk frother combination would. I store it in a drawer.
Why I am a little disappointed:
- Not that I really expected any different, but I wish there were some way to make this dishwasher safe. Hand washing it when a glorious latte is sitting nearby is a bummer. At least it’s easy to clean.
How I use it to make a latte:
I brew a pot of double-strength coffee. When that’s done, I heat up a half-full mug of milk and flavored syrup in the microwave (any kind will work, including almond milk, which I use often, but I’ve had the best results with regular milk). Don’t boil the milk.
Once the milk is as warm as you want it, insert the frother until it almost reaches the bottom of the cup, but not quite. Flip the switch and move the frother up and down without ever skimming the surface of the liquid (it’ll splatter) until the milk is foamy. Pour in your coffee and add whipped cream if you’d like.
You can play with different flavors, different types of milk, the amount of the syrups you use. You can also adjust the foam level to just the way you like it, making a customized latte every time. You’ll also spend less money, gas, and time on your coffee habit.
Photo credit: Target
