Microfoam possible in cardboard takeaway cups?

[spdrcr Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close spdrcr]

So Ive been drinking coffee for years and cant think of a time that Ive ever been satisfied with the quality of microfoam in a takeaway latte. Is it because of something in the cardboard that reacts with the microfoam to break it down, keeping the lid on that wrecks it or something else?

The same coffee shops seem capable of producing good microfoam when I eat in.

Please help me resolve this as Im seriously thinking about not bothering with takeaway coffees anymore.

Thanks, Jeff.

[jaysonleow Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jaysonleow]

Re: Microfoam possible in cardboard takeaway cups?

Are you sure its the microfoam thats disappointing you?

Personally, I think it may be the difference between drinking from ceramics as opposed to the plastic lid.

[Thundergod Sleep is overrated Find all posts View Profile Close Thundergod]

Re: Microfoam possible in cardboard takeaway cups?

Are you sure its the microfoam thats disappointing you?

Personally, I think it may be the difference between drinking from ceramics as opposed to the plastic lid.

Ditto.
I dont do takeaway.

[Topher Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Topher]

Re: Microfoam possible in cardboard takeaway cups?

I dont do cardboard either, I hate the cardboard! And even before I became a coffeesnob I could never drink out of that little plastic hole in the lid. I reckon that totally spoils the texture.

Take the lid off and try that. Or try one of the keep cup type thingos.

If all else fails maybe start drinking piccolos or machiatos and just smash the coffee at the bar.

By the way I have also done a few taste tests of long blacks and machs in cardboard v ceramic and the t/a cups I tried had a definate chemical taint of something, dunno if it is glue or wax or what. Probably wouldnt taste it in a large cap, but I reckon it was nasty.

[Bullitt Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bullitt]

Re: Microfoam possible in cardboard takeaway cups?

I recall Andy once posted a comment about choosing takeaway cups by tasting some hot water out of the cup, to see if it picked up some of the flavours of the coating....the best cups had no extra flavours in the hot water, so would not affect the coffee as much.

I have had many takeaway cups that had decent mircofoam, so it is possible, but...
the drink rarely tastes as good as if it came from a glass or ceramic cup.

I have also noticed that some places seem to try heating the milk hotter for takeaway, which can also wreck the drink.

[Topher Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Topher]

Re: Microfoam possible in cardboard takeaway cups?

I have also noticed that some places seem to try heating the milk hotter for takeaway, which can also wreck the drink.

Agree - I have worked with people who like to do this. Makes no sense, a takeaway cup with a lid will retain heat better than a ceramic, and takeaway customers tend to start sipping straight away.

Ive seen some baristas put less effort into takeaways too eg; dumping the less presentable or leftover milk into the t/as.