Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Nope, it’s frothy milk!
Every hardcore geek enjoys caffeine. If not consumed in large quantities from small aluminium canisters bearing a picture of a red bull, the next best source is the coffee bean itself. Going one step further, automated coffee machines can greatly reduce the turnaround time between races in GRID or servings of ten cups or more for invited and uninvited guests. For years, I’ve relied on my trusty Nespresso.
It punches holes in foil capsules and runs boiling water through them. The result: a good cup of the dark stuff. But, the attachment for frothing milk is really no great solution. I end up spouting milk all over the show, or scald the milk with little foam in sight.
Ever the gadgeteer, I spotted the perfect solution on my last visit for a capsule replenishment:
The Nespresso Aeroccino may be mistaken by outdoor enthusiasts as being one of those cigarette lighter warmed cups. Much more expensive and not large enough to hold the content of a full beer can, the Aeroccino is a shiny silver contraption that sits on a AC-powered plastic disk. Open the top of the cup and peer inside to spot a magnet-driven coil spring. It spins around to foam the milk. There’s space for only a little milk, roughly 180ml, but that should be more than sufficient.
The cup is roughly 9cm high and is portable, so it can accompany the cups and saucers to the dining table. Place the cup on the disk, pour in the required amount of milk, close the top and push the button. In a very short time, the milk has been perfectly frothed and can be spooned over a piping hot coffee for a perfect cappuccino. Dump some cocoa power on the dome and add sugar to taste: better than any you’ll get served in the Piazza San Marco 
For those four-year olds in the habit of requesting a late-night super-short Milo, the Aeroccino doubles up as a quick milk warmer.
