Microfoam

Milk foam where the bubbles are so small they're invisible individually — the foam appears as a smooth, glossy, paint-like surface that pours as a single integrated stream.

Why it matters — Microfoam is what makes latte art possible and what separates specialty coffee milk from fast-food coffee milk. Properly textured microfoam holds latte art shapes clearly and tastes sweeter than coarse foam.

Good to know

• Achieved by introducing air briefly during stretching, then submerging the wand to vortex and break the bubbles during texturing.
• Test the texture by looking at the milk surface — it should be glossy and shine like wet paint, not matte or stiff.