Sounds of Frothing

Beginner and pro baristas share tips and tricks for making espresso.
User avatar
mckolit
Posts: 435
Joined: 16 years ago

#1: Post by mckolit »

Is there a pitch change in the sound of milk when it has been properly stretched? I steam with a thermometer and I eventually want to do it by feel one day like the zen masters of milk steaming out there. Are there sound cues or visual cues that you guys use?

User avatar
cafeIKE
Posts: 4703
Joined: 18 years ago

#2: Post by cafeIKE »

When the bacon stops frying and the paper starts tearing.
When the banshee screams, you've gone too far.

User avatar
mckolit (original poster)
Posts: 435
Joined: 16 years ago

#3: Post by mckolit (original poster) »

"and the paper starts tearing"
Enlighten me? That one no comprehendoing.

User avatar
cafeIKE
Posts: 4703
Joined: 18 years ago

#4: Post by cafeIKE »

Fold up a sheet of paper into 1/8ths and tear slowly... or rip a piece of cardboard across the corrugations... the froth can start to make this sound when it's time to plunge the wand.

User avatar
cannonfodder
Team HB
Posts: 10497
Joined: 19 years ago

#5: Post by cannonfodder »

Going by the feel of the pitcher is a good way of going as well. Use the thermometer as a second check. Eventually you will be able to tell how hot it is by feel. There is also a change in sound as the milk hits the sweet spot. There is a shift in the pitch, you will hear it starting to get deeper all of a sudden. On my machine that is around 135F, with carry over it get around 145F from carry over which is good for me.
Dave Stephens

User avatar
Psyd
Posts: 2082
Joined: 18 years ago

#6: Post by Psyd »

cafeIKE wrote:When the bacon stops frying and the paper starts tearing.
When the banshee screams, you've gone too far.
I'm a sound engineer, and sound designer. I would have killed for this advice ten years ago. I couldn't have said it better myself!
Espresso Sniper
One Shot, One Kill

LMWDP #175

User avatar
cafeIKE
Posts: 4703
Joined: 18 years ago

#7: Post by cafeIKE »

i used to be a recording engineer... until computers and MBAs f'd up the music business.

Glad to be of service :wink:

User avatar
Psyd
Posts: 2082
Joined: 18 years ago

#8: Post by Psyd »

A Hothouse Flower! Nice! I've given up the music business, too, and now go right to the CEO's I still do a little theatre and film work, but Corporate Meetings pay the bills nowadays. I sure do miss it when it was about the music...
Espresso Sniper
One Shot, One Kill

LMWDP #175

User avatar
Marshall
Posts: 3444
Joined: 19 years ago

#9: Post by Marshall »

I have a sound designer client. Let's all have a party.
Marshall
Los Angeles

User avatar
Psyd
Posts: 2082
Joined: 18 years ago

#10: Post by Psyd »

From your posts, I'd guess that this makes you an attorney. If the world were still the place that we were talking about, you would be that sound designers criminal defense attorney. I'm guessing that you're either representing him in business dealings, or liability. When a designer needed an attorney, that was my indication that all the fun had gone out of making music and theatre. I guess that's why my creative impulse steers me towards espresso now.
Espresso Sniper
One Shot, One Kill

LMWDP #175

Post Reply