More Java, Less Milk: What is a Flat White Coffee?

You've seen the countless posts and videos of baristas and coffee lovers making latte art. But is the drink they're making them with a latte? Yes and no.

There is another popular drink similar to a latte that's been trending, featuring the same frothy layer of milk foam in those impressive, flowery shapes. It's known as a "flat white."

In this blog, we at Mystic Monk Coffee go over all you'll want to know about flat white coffee, including how it's different from a latte, where it came from, and how you can make one for yourself.

Read on and discover another fantastic drink you can make with our freshly roasted beans.

A Flat White, Explained

In short, a flat white is espresso coffee with steamed milk. You may ask, "Is that all?" No, there is more to it than that.

Compared to a latte or a cappuccino, the flat white has a higher ratio of espresso and much less foam compared to a cappuccino.

While these drinks are all very similar, let's go deeper into what makes them special and how a flat white stands out.

What's the Difference? Flat White vs Latte vs Cappuccino

Latte

Lattes are known to have a more creamy body and a mild flavor. It'll have a thinner layer of foam compared to a cappuccino, but plenty of steamed milk in it to give it a dense sip. The greater amount of steamed milk is what keeps the double espresso from being too overpowering.

• A double shot of espresso
• Steamed milk

Cappuccino

A cappuccino has a thick, airy layer of foam, giving it a "dryer" texture than the other types of coffee drinks on this list. It also has the most balanced flavor.

• A single shot of espresso
• A thick layer of foam from frothed milk
• Some steamed milk

Flat White

Flat whites are going to have the boldest flavor among the three drinks we've listed, as it has plenty of strong espresso coffee and just a thin layer of foam. That microfoam will help give the drink a velvety texture that just can't be beat.

• A double shot of espresso
• A thin layer of textured milk/micro foam

Where Did The Flat White Come From?

As with the origins of most coffees and coffee drinks, the origin of the "flat white" is a little hazy. According to an article from the Perfect Daily Grind, it was either first made in the mid-80's by Australian barista, Alan Preston or in New Zealand by another barista, Fraser McInnes.

The Australian Lead

Preston's story is that, when he opened his own shop in Sydney, his customers would order espresso with steamed milk, themselves saying they wanted a "white coffee, flat."

His recipe for the drink was a double ristretto shot (a syrupy, highly concentrated shot of espresso that uses much less water than a standard shot) along with a bit of steamed milk with very little foam on top. Served in a ceramic cup and without latte art, it was a hit.

The New Zealand Connection

On the other hand, we have McInnes's story, which was much the same. Serving a customer, he invented the flat white out of necessity, making the first iteration when they ordered a cappuccino and he only had milk with low fat content.

Due to the low fat content of the milk, he couldn't make enough foam for the drink. Apologizing, he told his customer he could only give them a "flat white."

So who’s right? 

Coffee culture is ever evolving, so it's no surprise there's more than one claim. Who wouldn't want to come up with a drink with plenty of bold, delicious espresso topped with velvety microfoam?

We would like to agree with both and say the drink was made in Australia and New Zealand, as both claims are just as likely as the other.

Why Flat White Coffee Drinks Are So Popular

Here's what we know so far: a flat white has more espresso than a latte, less foam than a cappuccino, and it comes from either Australia or New Zealand. So what's made this drink such a huge trend among coffee lovers recently?

While we can't speak for everyone, here are a few educated guesses:

• Silky Texture - The thin layer of microfoam topping a cup of flat white coffee gives every sip a sweet, smooth texture that anyone can enjoy.
• Bold Flavor - The two espresso shots in a flat white coffee give you a rich, full-bodied taste, delivering the full flavor profile of the particular roast or blend the espresso is made of.
• Just Enough - For those who want a strong cup and a coffeehouse quality experience, a flat white is a great choice. And with the right equipment in place, you can even make one at home.

How to Make a Flat White At Home

First off, is it possible to make a flat white coffee at home? Yes, but it requires a good bit of investment to make it happen. Flat whites were first made and are typically made today in coffeehouses with commercial-grade machines.

Of course, there are now plenty of espresso and steam wand machines available at the consumer level. If you want to test out your barista skills, here's a breakdown of what you'll want to have on hand to make an authentic flat white:

• A Digital Scale: To measure the weight of your beans properly before grinding and brewing them.
• A Burr Grinder: Effectively grinds down your choice of beans to the grind level you want. Ideally used to make the fine grounds you'll want to use for your espresso.
• A Tamper: For your machine's portafilter, a tamper compresses your fine grounds into a compacted puck of coffee. This ensures your espresso shots are evenly extracted brews full of flavor.
• An Espresso Machine: Brews coffee at precise temperature and pressure levels, so you can extract rich ristretto shots (the foundation of a flat white) from your finely ground coffee.
• A Steam Wand: Often a component of an espresso machine, it is a nozzle that uses high-pressure steam to froth milk into a foamy texture that tops your flat white or other coffee drinks.
• A Milk Steaming Pitcher: A stainless steel vessel made for easily and evenly pouring your steamed milk or foam on top of your flat white.

With all of these tools in place, here's what you'll need to do to make yourself a flat white at home:

1. Use the scale to measure the right amount of beans (around 18 to 20 grounds for a strong ristretto espresso).
2. Then use the burr grinder to make them into a fine powder for your shot.
3. Then get the tamper and compact it into the espresso machine's portafilter.
4. With your espresso machine, make a double shot of ristretto espresso.
5. Use the steam wand with a milk steaming pitcher filled with whole milk, and, at around 140°F, make a silky, thin microfoam.
6. Pour your double shot into a nice ceramic cup, then top it off with a smooth drizzle of milk microfoam.

And there you have it, a wonderfully crafted, authentic flat white coffee, just like it’s made in Australia (or New Zealand, whichever you prefer).

Enjoy Quality Coffee from Mystic Monk Coffee

Now we know the answer to the question, “What is a flat white?” 

But you know what makes a great one? A solid bag of freshly roasted beans full of flavor. At Mystic Monk Coffee, you'll find a huge selection of options. Not just in roasts, but also blends, flavor profiles, and more. We sell all of our coffees in beans or grounds so you can make your coffee how you like it.

All of our coffee is made with the care and passion of artisans, our very own Carmelite Monks at our monastery deep in the Rocky Mountains in Wyoming. With our coffee, you'll find every cup another blessing to help get you through your day, just as it does for us.

Browse our selection and order your new favorite flavor today. You can also sign up for our coffee subscription service to get a fresh bag sent to your door at any interval you'd like, all at a discounted price per bag. Shop Mystic Monk Coffee today.