If you've checked out my milk frother guide 2024, you'll know that I love the Bodum Latteo. In fact, I'd say it's the best manual milk frother on the market. Still, just to make sure the Bodum Latteo Glass Milk Frother can deliver the goods, I bought one to test out for you.
If you’ve checked out my milk frother guide 2024, you’ll know that I love the Bodum Latteo. In fact, I’d say it’s the best manual milk frother on the market. Still, just to make sure the Bodum Latteo Glass Milk Frother can deliver the goods, I bought one to test out for you.
I’ll tell you all about my experiences using this nifty little manual frother a little later. Suffice to say, it surpassed my expectations and then some.
Compact and affordable
Bodum Latteo Manual Milk Frother
Way better than expected
Elegant design
Borosilicate glass construction
Easy to use
Great results
Rather messy
Bodum Latteo Design and Features
Costing just $16.99, the Bodum Latteo manual milk frother is ridiculously affordable. So, if you’re on a tight budget and want a milk frother to pair with your moka pot or drip coffee maker, this compact device could be the way to go.
And when I say compact, I really mean it. The Bodum Latteo has a limited 8-ounce (237-milliliter) capacity, so it’s best suited for making a cafe au lait or small specialty coffee drink. In other words, this isn’t the milk frother to pull out if you’re throwing a big coffee party!
At first impression, you’d be forgiven for thinking the Bodum Latteo is just a repurposed French press. After all, the frother’s design is suspiciously similar to a coffee press pot. However, look a little closer and you’ll notice the absence of any outer frame. Plus, the Latteo’s plunger lid doesn’t have a screen to hold back coffee grounds.
I actually love the way the Bodum Latteo looks – its borosilicate glass construction lends it a science lab vibe. With that said, the thing does feel rather fragile and if you drop it there’s gonna be broken glass to contend with. Then again, the Latteo has been designed to withstand the rigors of consistent microwave use, so it’s probably a little tougher than it feels.
I’m sure you’re wondering how the Bodum Latteo works. Well, it’s simple; you just add cold milk to the beaker before pumping the plunger up and down until you’ve got milk foam. Once you’re satisfied, remove the plunger and pop the glass beaker in the microwave for 30 seconds.
So, can this manual frother make decent foam? And if so, is it going to feel like a workout to get there? Keep reading to find out!
Bodum Latteo Milk Frother in Use
At the start of this Bodum Latteo review I let it slip that the thing exceeded my expectations. To be honest, I wasn’t prepared for mind-blowing milk foam from the Latteo, but that’s close to what I ended up with.
What’s more, I felt more in control of what was happening than when using an electric milk frother.
Sure, the Bodum Latteo can’t whip up the silky microfoam you’ll get from the steam wand on a home espresso machine. However, it’s easy to create thick, pillowy froth for a cappuccino.
During my testing I focused mainly on full-fat cow’s milk. But I did experiment with a couple of non-dairy options and got equally excellent results from both soy and almond milk.
As I explained earlier, operating the Bodum Latteo is a piece of cake. What’s more, you only have to pump the plunger for around 30 seconds to start getting milk froth. In my experience, this wasn’t hard work at all – I certainly didn’t feel the burn as I was pumping. And as I mentioned earlier, it’s easy to gauge the texture and consistency of the milk.
Speaking of, the cold milk foam you end up with is quite remarkable in terms of its structure. So, that’ll definitely please iced coffee fans. However, I did notice that the foam disintegrated somewhat once it was heated.
Another minor niggle is that the plunger tends to “hold on” to quite a bit of milk foam when you remove it, meaning you have to do your best to knock it off without making a mess. Still, for such an affordable and simple device, that’s not a dealbreaker.
Cleaning
I’d definitely recommend keeping a damp cloth handy when you’re using the Bodum Latteo, especially when you’re removing the plunger. Other than that, cleanup is a cinch.
While the manufacturer claims the Latteo is dishwasher safe, I’d recommend rinsing the thing by hand after each use. All it takes is a quick jet of warm water and maybe a dab of mild detergent. And as long as you haven’t left the Latteo for too long, it’ll be clean in a jiffy.
Otherwise, you may need to scrub both the glass beaker and the plunger to remove hardened milk residue.
Verdict: Bodum Latteo Manual Milk Frother
Compact and affordable
Bodum Latteo Manual Milk Frother
Way better than expected
Elegant design
Borosilicate glass construction
Easy to use
Great results
Rather messy
I’ll admit to having had a great time testing out the Bodum Latteo manual milk frother. While not as elegant or streamlined as some of the electric models I’ve reviewed, it offers a super-affordable and convenient way to whip up great milk foam.
Of course, you’ll need to own a microwave if you want hot drinks, but it’s fair to assume that most folks have a food computer in the kitchen.
All in all, the Bodum Latteo surprised me in a good way, and I love it when that happens! So, in spite of a couple of drawbacks, I give this baby two thumbs up.
Do you own the Bodum Latteo? Any tips or tricks for getting the best out of this manual milk frother? The comments section is all yours!
