ThirstyforKnowledge

An encyclopedia of drinks — mixed, poured, brewed and whisked

No. 125 Coffee

Flat white

A double espresso with a little steamed milk and a thin layer of microfoam, in a smaller cup than a latte.

A flat white in a small glass on a blue saucer
A flat white Photo: 책읽는달팽, CC BY-SA 3.0

Recipe card

ml oz

Makes 1 drink · about 4 min to make

Ingredients

Ounces are US fluid ounces (29.57 ml), rounded.

Method

  1. Pull a double espresso into a warmed cup of about 175 ml.
  2. Steam the milk to a smooth, glossy microfoam with very little volume.
  3. Pour the milk into the espresso, finishing with a thin layer of foam.
Glass
Small cup (about 175 ml)
Technique
Brewed
Difficulty
Advanced

Printable recipe card

About the Flat white

A flat white has more coffee relative to milk than a latte and a thin layer of velvety microfoam instead of a cappuccino's thick foam. One reference describes a double espresso (50 ml) with about 130 ml of steamed milk and roughly 5 mm of microfoam.

Background

Its origin is unclear: café owners in both Australia and New Zealand claim it, though the name was in use in England in the 1960s.

Tags: coffee milk contains caffeine

Go deeper

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — Flat white

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