Great milk drinks start with great foam. Whether you are making a cappuccino, latte, or flat white, the texture and temperature of your milk makes the difference between a mediocre drink and a cafe-quality one. Here is how to get the best results from your Jura’s milk system.
How Jura Milk Systems Work
Jura uses two types of milk frothing across its lineup:
Basic frothing (D6, E6, older models):
- Draws milk through a tube and froths it with steam
- Produces decent foam for cappuccinos
- Foam texture is coarser - visible bubbles rather than smooth microfoam
- Less control over foam density
Fine-foam technology (E8, S8, Z10):
- Advanced frothing that creates silky microfoam
- Smaller, more uniform bubbles for a smooth, velvety texture
- Better foam density control - adjust for cappuccino (thick) vs latte (thin)
- Produces results closer to manual steam wand quality
If milk drinks are a daily habit, the fine-foam system is worth the upgrade. See our milk system comparison for a detailed breakdown.
Getting the Best Foam
Use the Right Milk
| Milk Type | Foam Quality | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Whole milk (3.5% fat) | Excellent | Best foam texture and sweetness. Our top recommendation. |
| 2% milk | Good | Slightly thinner foam, still works well |
| Skim milk | Fair | More foam volume but less creamy, less stable |
| Oat milk (barista version) | Good | Best non-dairy option. Use “barista” versions designed for frothing. |
| Almond milk | Fair | Thin foam, can separate. Results vary by brand. |
| Soy milk | Fair | Froths decently but can curdle with very hot espresso |
Key rule: Always use cold milk, straight from the refrigerator. Cold milk froths better because the proteins have more time to stretch and trap air before the milk gets too hot.
Adjust Foam Density
On models with adjustable foam density (E8, S8, Z10):
- Cappuccino: Maximum foam setting. Thick, airy foam that holds its shape.
- Flat white: Medium foam setting. Silky microfoam that blends with the espresso.
- Latte: Low-medium foam setting. Thin layer of foam on top of steamed milk.
- Latte macchiato: Medium foam setting. The milk layers need distinct separation.
Temperature
Jura machines froth milk to approximately 65-70 degrees Celsius (150-158 degrees Fahrenheit). This is the ideal range for sweetness and texture. Some models allow temperature adjustment - stay within 60-70 degrees C for best results. Above 70 degrees C, milk proteins break down and the foam collapses.
Milk Circuit Care
Milk residue left in the frothing circuit causes problems within hours. This is the most important maintenance habit for milk drink users.
After every milk drink:
- Remove the milk container from the machine
- Place the milk tube in a cup of cold water
- Run the milk frothing cycle for 10-15 seconds to flush the line
- Wipe the spout clean
Weekly: Run the dedicated milk system cleaning program (available on E8, S8, Z10).
Neglecting milk circuit cleaning leads to:
- Reduced foam quality
- Off-flavors in your milk drinks
- Bacteria growth in the tubes
- Potential blockages that require professional service
See our cleaning guide for the full cleaning routine.
Troubleshooting Milk Issues
Foam is thin or watery:
- Clean the milk circuit thoroughly
- Use colder, fresher milk
- Check the foam density setting - it may have been accidentally lowered
- Make sure the milk tube is properly seated
Milk is not being drawn:
- Check for kinks in the milk tube
- Clean the tube connection points
- Run a rinse cycle to clear any blockage
Foam has large bubbles instead of smooth texture:
- This is typical of basic frothing systems (D6, E6). For smoother foam, upgrade to a model with fine-foam technology.
- If you have fine-foam (E8, S8, Z10) and see large bubbles, clean the milk circuit.
Ready to Upgrade Your Milk Drinks?
If you are using a basic frothing system and want better milk quality, the E8 is the most affordable Jura with fine-foam technology. For the ultimate milk drink experience with a larger touchscreen, see the S8.
Back to all guides | See also: Latte art tips | Brewing guide | Cleaning guide