Stretching

The first phase of steaming, where the steam wand tip is held just below the milk's surface to draw air into the milk, creating foam. Lasts 2–5 seconds depending on the drink.

Why it matters — Stretching duration determines how much foam ends up in the jug. Too short and the drink is flat; too long and you build cappuccino-volume foam that overflows the jug or sits in a stiff cap.

Good to know

• Listen for a soft "tch-tch-tch" sound — that's air being drawn in correctly. A loud screech means the wand is too far above the surface.
• Stop stretching the moment the milk volume reaches the target — about 1.2× starting volume for a flat white, 1.5× for a latte, 2× for a cappuccino.