Cold Foam vs Whipped Cream: What's the Difference?
Cold foam is frothed cold milk — light, airy, and non-fat. Whipped cream is heavy cream beaten with air until thick and rich. The key difference: cold foam is made from skim milk (0% fat), which creates a stable foam that floats on cold drinks. Whipped cream is 35–40% butterfat — it’s dense, sweet, and melts quickly into hot or iced drinks. At Starbucks, the cold foam distinction created the “cold foam” drink category starting in 2018. At home, the choice between the two depends on your drink, your equipment, and what you’re going for: a barista-style float, or a dessert-style topping. ...