You go to a coffee shop, look at the menu and you find that there is a coffee between a latte and a cappuccino, the “flat white coffee”. The word has been mentioned before, and possibly even you have ordered one at Starbucks, but what is a flat white? And more to the point, in what way is it any different than all the other stuff on the menu?
This is a guide to the definition, origins, flavor, a comparison with other similar caffeinated drinks and the method of preparation at home. At the conclusion, you will be able to tell precisely what you should order (and why).
What Is a Flat White Coffee? (Quick Answer)
A flat white is a coffee beverage based on espresso, and comprised of a small portion of steamed micro-foam milk. It is larger, more powerful and creamier than a latte and has less foam than a cappuccino.
Easier Formula: flat white = strong espresso + steamed milk + skim layer of microfoam. None of that cappuccino or latte, either.
It is one of the smallest sizes of espresso beverages, with a cup size of 5-6 oz. Those who enjoy the signature flavor of coffee and feel that a latte is too milky but still want to savor the coffee, then a flat white is the right drink to have.
Where Did Flat White Come From? (Origin & History)
The flat white is a very “interesting story” when it comes to where it originated and it includes a debate that will never be decided and will always be argued over by coffee drinkers and fans.
Both Australia and New Zealand claim to be the inventors of the flat white, and neither country is willing to back down. In Australia, the flat white was “born in coffee cafes” in Sydney in the 1980s. Baristas wanted to have a stronger hit of espresso than in a latte, but something smoother and less foamy than the cappuccino. The result: The flat white was “born”.
New Zealand, on the other hand, argues that their baristas created the drink first—at around the same time—in Auckland cafes, with the prevailing trend being a high emphasis on quality espresso shots and a smaller quantity of milk.
Either way, the flat white remained a well-guarded secret of the Southern Hemisphere countries for several decades. The drink was first added to the global menu of Starbucks in 2015, and it was only then that “millions of Americans tried the flat white coffee for the first time in a Starbucks store in 2015. The white flat has since become one of the fastest-growing coffee drinks in America.
What Does a Flat White Taste Like?
If you’ve never had a flat white before, here’s the essence of the first sip.
A flat white is more distinctly tasting, bold, and purer compared to a latte; As less milk is used, the flavor of the espresso comes out stronger. The taste is rich and has a slightly bitter coffee taste, and is complemented by the natural sweetness of steamed whole milk.
The texture bestowed on this drink by the (micro-foam) milk is “silky, velvety” and does not present the palate either with an aqueous solution or with a comparatively higher consistency that might cause some discomfort. That big pillow of foam that you get with a cappuccino isn’t there. Instead, the milk and espresso complement each other in every sip.
In three words? Strong. Creamy. Smooth.
When you are in need of a stronger coffee flavor and find lattes as either too watered down or too milky to your preference, a flat white will be blissfully surprising to you (NZ Herald, 2014, para.6). The espresso bitterness is however diluted by adding milk although not to the extent that the intensity is removed.
How to Make a Flat White at Home
It is not as difficult as you think to make a flat white coffee at home. Here is the precise manner in which it can be done.
What You Need
- Espresso machine (or an alternative, Moka pot)
- Milk frother or steam wand.
- Whole milk (preferably)
- Espresso coffee beans of high quality.
- Small 5-6 oz cup
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Freshly grind your coffee beans and draw a double shot of espresso (approximately 2 oz). In the absence of an espresso machine, a Moka pot is a good substitute to an espresso machine, it makes a strong, concentrated coffee similar to espresso.
Step 2: Steam your milk Add in approximately 3-4 oz of cold whole milk into your steaming pitcher. Using your steam wand, heat the milk to around 140-150°F (60-65°C). It targets silky smooth microfoam, but not the large bubbles. As the steam wand is added to the milk, be sure that it is not fully submerged in the milk; rather it should be slightly below the surface of the milk.
Step 3: To shake and pour Pour your shot of espresso in your cup first. Then add the steamed milk to the espresso, leaving the foam to add at the end on top of the thin layer of microfoam.
Step 4: Finish with latte art (optional) Pouring a small circle motion on top Finish with simple art design of a latte (e.g., simple circle pattern) It will make the drink even more exclusive, even though it has the simplest dot or heart.
Do You believe you can get along without an Espresso machine?
Absolutely. Strong coffee is prepared by using Moka pot, and microfoam is made using handheld milk frother. It will not be like a cafe flat white, but will get pretty close to it – and at a fraction of the cost.
Flat White at Starbucks — Is It Worth It
In January 2015, the flat white was added to the permanent menu of Starbucks in the USA, and became one of their most popular espresso beverages in the USA.
Theirs is made with two ristretto shots of less concentrated and shorter pulls of espresso with steamed whole milk and a thin layer of microfoam on top.
What makes Starbucks flat white different?
Starbucks uses ristretto shots in place of the regular espresso, hence making theirs a little sweeter and less bitter than a typical Australian-style flat white. The drink is further served in a larger cup than a normal flat white – Starbucks “Tall” is 12 oz which is larger than the usual 5-6 oz serving.
Is it worth the money? Whether you like the rich, creamy coffee with a creamy finish. But, coffee purists claim that the Starbucks version is sweeter than a real flat white ought to be.
Pro Tip: When placing your order at Starbucks, when ordering a flat white coffee, bring in oat milk instead of whole milk; this will provide that natural sweet nutty creaminess that goes well with its ristretto shots.
Flat White Calories — Is It Healthy
Being health-conscious, yet still wish to have your daily flat white? Good news – a flat white is one of the more sensible calories on the menu than most of the other drinks based on espresso.
A plain white has fewer calories than a latte due to the fact that it uses less milk, and nothing is added to it in the form of sugar or syrup. The espresso on its own contains hardly any calories.
Make your flat white coffee even healthier:
- Select oat milk or almond milk → Saves 40-60 calories.
- Welch flavored syrups → Saves 20 calories per pump.
- Choose a smaller size → Of course, fewer calories.
- Whipped cream should be avoided = Saves 50-80 calories.
A basic flat white made with whole milk is about 120-170 cal- this makes it one of the most reasonable options to be used by calorie-conscious coffee drinkers that yet have a taste-budget to satisfy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do flat whites have a greater strength than a latte?
Yes. A flat white consumes the same amount of espresso as a latte but far less milk – the taste of coffee is much more intense and concentrated in each drink.
Q: What is the reason that a flat white coffee is pricier than a latte?
More expert preparation is needed in flat whites. Microfoam technique requires accuracy and practice. It is the ability of the barista you are paying, not the ingredients.
Q: Can a flat white coffee be used by coffee novices?
It depends. Yes, a flat white is a marvelous idea, should you be a lover of a strong coffee. Should you be an espresso beginner, and black coffee is too bitter, begin with a latte, and slowly transition to a flat white.
Q: What is the amount of caffeine in a flat white?
A regular flat white with two shots of espresso will contain approximately 120-130MG of caffeine – just like a latté with two shots of espresso.
Q: What milk do you think would go with a flat white?
The whole milk creates the best microfoam and creamy texture. Oat milk is the most appropriate non-dairy alternative as it foams and has a small natural sweetness.
Q: Does a small latte equal flat white?
Not exactly. Although both contain espresso and steamed milk, a flat white would have a higher ratio of espresso to milk, a thinner layer of microfoam and much stronger coffee flavor when compared to a small latte.
Conclusion
The ideal coffee beverage that everyone will enjoy who likes a rich taste of espresso without having to drown it in milk. It is more of a latte than a cappuccino, and it is more likely to be found in a straight shot of espresso than in other variations.
Whether you order one at Starbucks, try one at your local specialty coffee shop, or make one at home with a Moka pot and milk frother — a flat white coffee is an experience worth having.
Now that you are well informed about what a flat white is, its comparison to other beverages and how to make one yourself, it is time to go enjoy one!
