What’s a flat white coffee and how to make one?

Published on Jan 10, 2010

The ‘flat white’ is the new must-drink for all caffeine addicts and coffee connoisseurs, according to market experts, who say Britain is on the verge of a new coffee boom.

Originating from New Zealand and Australia, a flat white is a coffee drink prepared by pouring steamed milk from the bottom of steaming milk jug over a single or double shot of espresso.

The flat white is usually served in a small 150-160ml ceramic tulip cup. To achieve the ‘flat’, non-frothy texture, the steamed milk is poured from the bottom of the jug, holding back the lighter froth on the top in order to access milk with smaller bubbles, making the drink smooth and velvety in texture.
A flat white is served in a small ceramic cup, whereas a traditional latte is served in a glass with the steamed milk poured over the espresso shot. A latte can also be served in a bowl or a larger cup requiring a lot more milk, obscuring the complex and subtle flavours of the coffee.

Unlike lattes, which are served in anything up to a 20oz cup by coffee chains, less is more when it comes to making a flat white. The word on the street is that the large traditional and less flexible Starbucks, Costa Coffees, Cafe Neros and other high street coffee chains are in for a shock!

Find out how the make the perfect flat white with the video below.

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