If you think the craze for foamy coffee toppings is fading, think again. Cold foam is not just a fleeting trend; it’s become a staple in the world of coffee, adding a luxurious touch to cold beverages. Imagine a cloud-like topping, light and airy, gently floating on your iced coffee – that’s cold foam. This delightful concoction is made from aerated milk, specifically skim milk, without the use of heat, and often with a hint of sweetness.
Cold Foam vs. Whipped Cream: What’s the Real Difference?
It’s easy to mistake cold foam for whipped cream, especially since they both add a creamy texture to drinks. Starbucks’ popular Cold Foam, for instance, is made from sweetened, aerated skim milk and is often considered the benchmark for cold foam perfection. While some places might use whipping cream to achieve a similar effect, purists would argue that this is a shortcut. True cold foam uses skim milk as its base. And yes, even though it’s made with skim milk, the added sweetener means it’s more of a treat than a diet drink.
Hot Foam vs. Cold Foam: Key Differences Explained
The most obvious difference is temperature – cold foam is, well, cold. But the distinction goes deeper than that. Cold foam is prepared and served cold, making it the ideal companion for iced coffees, cold brews, iced lattes, and even non-coffee beverages. Unlike the microfoam used in hot lattes, which is steamed and integrated into the drink, cold foam boasts a poufier, more voluminous texture. Professor Thomas Huppertz, a milk researcher at Wageningen University & Research, explains that the larger bubbles in cold foam are partly due to the lower temperature at which the milk is foamed.
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Professor Huppertz further elaborates that while the initial bubble size depends on the foaming technique, destabilization occurs after foaming, leading to larger bubbles. This destabilization is more pronounced at colder temperatures. In his insightful talk, “The Science of Milk Foam,” from the 2014 Re:co Symposium, he also points out that skim milk foam is remarkably stable. It can maintain its form for an extended period without dissolving into the drink. This is particularly beneficial for drinks like cold foam cold brew, where you can enjoy the contrast of cold coffee and cool foam in every sip, from start to finish.
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Why Skim Milk is the Star Ingredient for Cold Foam
Why is skim milk the preferred choice for creating cold foam? Food chemistry expert Harold McGee offers a simple explanation: “Skim milk is excellent for making foams because it is rich in whey proteins, which stabilize foams, and low in milk fats, which destabilize them.” In simpler terms, skim milk is a breeze to aerate. Foaming milk with higher fat content requires more skill and patience.
Cold Foam Latte Art: A Challenging Canvas
Can you create latte art with cold foam? Technically, yes, but it’s more challenging. The texture of cold foam is typically different from hot foam, making intricate designs harder to achieve. You’ll often see cold foam dolloped on top of drinks like cold brew rather than poured to create art on espresso. However, that hasn’t stopped baristas and home enthusiasts from attempting to create cold foam rosettas and other designs!
Making Cold Foam at Home: Easier Than You Think
Good news for DIY enthusiasts! Making cold foam at home is surprisingly easy, much simpler than mastering barista-level microfoam for hot lattes. All you need is skim milk, a frother (that office gift might finally come in handy!), and a touch of simple syrup and vanilla for sweetness. No frother? No problem. You can use a blender, a hand blender, a whisk, or even a mason jar – just shake vigorously! A French press also works; simply plunge up and down repeatedly. If even that sounds like too much effort, some whipped cream manufacturers now offer products specifically designed as “sweet foam coffee toppers,” essentially a ready-made cold foam alternative.
A World of Cold Foam Flavors: Beyond the Original
Cold foam isn’t limited to just the classic flavor. Many exciting variations are available, including Vanilla Sweet Cream, Salted Caramel, Matcha, White Lightning, Pumpkin Spice, Pistachio Cream, and Biggby Coffee’s intriguing “Avalanche” flavor, which boasts white chocolate, mint, and “magic.” Whatever your flavor preference, cold foam offers a simple yet effective way to elevate your cold coffee experience, adding an extra layer of flavor and texture to your favorite iced drinks.
