New video: Decent milk thermometer
Too-hot milk is a really common way to ruin a drink.
Milk sugars start to change around 70ºC and won't come back to being sweet again, even after the milk cools, making for a sour beverage.
Most people use the 50ºC “threshold of pain” (plus a few seconds) to guess the milk temperature, though how well this works really depends on the thickness of your milk jug.
Here's a video all about heating milk: there's a surprising number of topics to cover!
You can find the thermometer here: https://decentespresso.com/milk_thermometer
-john
AI Summary
A milk thermometer ensures precise milk temperature control, crucial for maintaining flavor and texture in coffee drinks. Professional baristas may rely on experience, but most people struggle to gauge exact temperatures by hand. Overheating milk beyond 65°C alters its taste, while serving it too cool can disappoint customers. The thermometer helps maintain consistency, preventing scalding in takeaway drinks and ensuring optimal milk temperature for different roasts and cup types. It was developed by modifying a high-quality German meat thermometer, making it accurate and reliable. The device accounts for human and digital latency, allowing users to program beeping alerts at specific temperatures. Different milks, especially alternative ones, require varied steaming approaches. Nut milks, for example, can split at high temperatures. Temperature also affects flavor perception—lower temperatures enhance taste, but some customers prioritize warmth over flavor. Self-heating mugs, like the Ember mug, help maintain an ideal drinking temperature.
Key Points
- Why Use a Milk Thermometer?
- Hand-testing milk temperature is inaccurate, especially for amateurs.
- Overheating (above 65°C) negatively impacts flavor.
- Maintaining consistent temperature improves the coffee experience.
- Ideal Milk Temperatures
- Standard milk drinks should be around 60°C.
- Extra-hot lattes should not exceed 70°C.
- Ceramic cups cool milk by 10-15°C, while paper cups retain heat.
- Development of the Thermometer
- Adapted from a German-made meat thermometer for precision.
- Features a beeping alert system to account for latency.
- Customizable to match different workflows.
- Alternative Milks & Flavor Considerations
- Nut milks and others with minimal stabilizers are sensitive to heat.
- Overheating can cause separation and curdling.
- Lower temperatures enhance flavor perception.
- Optimizing the Coffee Experience
- A self-heating mug (e.g., Ember mug) helps sustain the ideal temperature.
- Cafés are lowering milk temperatures to enhance coffee flavors.
- Baristas should communicate with customers about temperature preferences.
Conclusion
A milk thermometer is an essential tool for achieving precise, consistent milk temperatures, leading to better-tasting coffee drinks. It helps balance flavor, texture, and customer satisfaction, while also catering to different milk types. Whether in a café or at home, using the right tools and techniques can elevate the overall coffee experience.
#thermometer #howitworks #videos #documentation
Updated 2023/11/11