Donkey Milk in Coffee: Milk Foam, Cappuccino, and Latte

Fine foam, mild sweetness: How to make milk coffee, latte, and cappuccino with donkey milk.

5 min readBy DON DONKEY'S

Cappuccino mit Milchschaummuster und Kakaopulver in weißer Tasse
Contents
  1. Why donkey milk froths differently
  2. Step by step: milk foam with donkey milk
  3. Without a portafilter: milk frothers and whisks
  4. What does coffee with donkey milk taste like?
  5. Powder as an alternative for on the go
  6. Preparing donkey milk properly
  7. Three recipes for your coffee break
  8. Cleaning and caring for the devices
  9. Frequently asked questions
  10. Read more and shop

Donkey milk in coffee is a fine alternative to regular cow's milk. It tastes mild and slightly sweet. However, it behaves differently when frothing. Donkey milk contains less protein and less fat. As a result, the foam is airier and collapses more quickly. With the right temperature and a little technique, cappuccino, latte, and café au lait can still be made. Here you will learn how.

55–65 °Cideal foam temperature
1.5–2 gprotein per 100 ml of donkey milk
2–7 °Ccool milk before frothing

Why donkey milk froths differently

Milk foam is created when protein encloses air bubbles. The more protein, the more stable the foam. Fat makes the foam creamy, but can also weaken it. Donkey milk contains about 1.5 to 2 grams of protein per 100 milliliters. Cow's milk contains about 3.3 grams.

The result: donkey milk forms a fine, light foam. It is less firm than foam made from whole milk. This makes it more difficult for latte art with clear patterns. For a mild, slightly sweet café au lait, it is ideal.

Drink Donkey milk Result
Café au lait warm, lightly frothed very good, mild and smooth
Latte lots of warm milk, little foam good, fine sweetness
Cappuccino more foam needed possible, foam collapses more quickly
Latte art fine-pored, firm foam needed challenging
Iced coffee stirred in cold very good, no frothing needed

Step by step: milk foam with donkey milk

Our fresh donkey milk comes frozen. Store it at −18 °C. Thaw it slowly in the refrigerator at 2 to 7 °C. Then proceed as follows:

  1. Start cold: The milk should be well chilled. Cold milk can be frothed longer before it becomes too warm.
  2. Choose the right amount: Fill the jug no more than one-third full. The foam needs space.
  3. Draw in air: Hold the steam wand tip just below the surface. You will hear a soft hissing sound.
  4. Swirl: Immerse the steam wand tip a little deeper. The milk should swirl in a circle. This breaks large bubbles into fine ones.
  5. Check the temperature: Stop at 55 to 65 °C. If the outside of the jug becomes too hot to touch, you have reached the right temperature.
  6. Pour immediately: Tap the jug briefly and swirl it. Then pour quickly into the coffee.
Milk is poured from a jug into a cup of coffee
Pour quickly: donkey milk foam is fine but less stable.

Without a portafilter: milk frothers and whisks

You do not need a portafilter machine. An electric milk frother works well. Choose the setting for warm foam. Some devices heat the milk to a very high temperature. In that case, stop earlier.

A hand milk frother or a small whisk can also be used. Heat the milk in a saucepan to about 60 °C beforehand. Then whisk vigorously. The foam will be coarser, but taste just as mild.

Our tip

For a more stable foam, mix a small amount of donkey milk with your usual milk. This gives you the slightly sweet taste and a more stable foam. Or enjoy donkey milk in iced coffee, without any frothing.

What does coffee with donkey milk taste like?

Donkey milk brings a natural sweetness. Many people therefore need less or no sugar. Strong, chocolatey roasts pair well with it. Very acidic, light roasts can taste a little sharp with the mild milk. Try it with your favorite coffee bean.

Close-up of fine-pored milk foam on coffeeLatte with leaf pattern on a round wooden table, viewed from above
Fine foam, mild sweetness: donkey milk noticeably changes the taste of coffee.
Note on raw milk

Our fresh donkey milk is raw milk. If you have any concerns, you can heat it to 72 °C before drinking it. For milk foam, this is an additional step: heat the milk, let it cool, and then froth it.

Powder as an alternative for on the go

At the office or while traveling, donkey milk powder is practical. Stir 10 grams of powder into 100 milliliters of water. This makes 100 milliliters of donkey milk for your coffee. Our Mini Duo is ideal for trying both forms.

Preparing donkey milk properly

Good milk foam does not start with the machine, but in the freezer. Store fresh donkey milk at −18 °C. To thaw it, place the bottle in the refrigerator. It will thaw slowly at 2 to 7 °C. Depending on the size of the bottle, this takes several hours. Plan ahead the evening before.

Gently shake the thawed bottle before opening. When frozen, the small amount of fat may settle. A quick swirl redistributes it. Store thawed milk in the refrigerator and consume it within three days.

When drunk on its own, donkey milk reveals its flavor at 9 to 15 °C. For coffee, take it directly from the refrigerator. Cold milk gives you more time to froth it before it reaches the target temperature.

Three recipes for your coffee break

Café au lait with donkey milk: Brew a strong filter coffee. Heat 100 ml of donkey milk to about 60 °C and froth it lightly. Pour equal parts coffee and milk into a large cup.

Iced coffee: Let a double espresso cool. Add ice cubes to a glass, pour 100 ml of cold donkey milk over them, and then add the espresso. No frothing, no sugar, just a fine sweetness.

Vanilla latte: Heat 150 ml of donkey milk with a pinch of vanilla bean. Froth it and pour it over an espresso. The vanilla accentuates the milk's natural sweetness.

Cleaning and caring for the devices

Donkey milk contains very little fat. Nevertheless, milk residue builds up in the steam wand and frother. Wipe the steam wand with a damp cloth immediately after frothing and let steam out briefly. Rinse the frother and jug with warm water immediately after use. This keeps the taste clean and mild for your next coffee.

Frequently asked questions

Can donkey milk be frothed?

Yes. The foam is finer and lighter than that of cow's milk and collapses more quickly. Therefore, pour it quickly.

What is the ideal temperature?

55 to 65 °C. Milk foam should not be hotter, otherwise the taste will suffer.

Can latte art be made with donkey milk?

Simple patterns are possible. Fine designs require practice because the foam is less stable.

Do I need sugar in coffee with donkey milk?

Often less than usual. Donkey milk is naturally slightly sweet.

Read more and shop

About DON DONKEY'S

We offer donkey milk, donkey milk powder, donkey cheese and care products with donkey milk. The fresh donkey milk is milked by hand, frozen straight away and delivered to you chilled. View the range