What is the difference between steamed milk and milk you heat up in the microwave?

Question

I made a chai tea with steamed milk and I normally just stick the milk in the microwave and dring it that way. I noticed the steamed milk with my cappachino maker makes the chai latte taste better. Why is that?

Answer 1

When you microwave the milk, it just heats it compared to changing  the consistency of the milk when steaming. Steaming the milk adds air bubbles giving it a rich texture. Also, it is possible to burn the milk while microwaving it, changing the taste.  

Answer 2

Milk heated in the microwave is just heated.

Steamed milk is steamed with water steam and makes the milk warm/hot and foamy/frothy.

Answer 3

Taste better? I don't know. But steamed milk is made by forcing hot air through the milk. Makes it foamy.  

Answer 4

steaming milk helps release the sugar in the milk at the right temp and that is what makes it taste so much better.