The Ultimate Guide to Flat White Coffee: What It Is and How to Make It
Flat white coffee has become a beloved beverage around the world, known for its smooth texture and rich, balanced flavour.
Whether you are a coffee aficionado or new to the world of speciality coffee.
A flat white coffee may win your taste buds.
Firstly, let’s get an understanding of what flat white is and how to make it can elevate your coffee experience.
In this article, we’ll explore what flat white coffee is and provide a step-by-step recipe for creating this delightful beverage also at home.
The Perfect Flat White Coffee Recipe
Crafting the Perfect Flat White at Home
As flat white has gained popularity, many coffee lovers have sought to recreate this cafe favourite in their kitchens.
While it may seem daunting at first, with the right equipment and technique, it’s possible to craft a delicious flat white at home.
The Essential Equipment
To make a cafe-quality flat white at home, you’ll need an espresso machine with a steam wand.
Coffee Machine Superautomatic DeLonghi 1450 W 1,8 L
While professional-grade equipment can be expensive, there are now many affordable home espresso machines that can produce excellent results.
A burr grinder is also crucial for achieving the right grind consistency for your espresso.
Coffee Grinder Manual Professional
Additionally, a milk pitcher and a thermometer can help you achieve the perfect milk temperature and texture.
Choosing the Right Coffee
The choice of coffee beans is crucial for a great flat white.
Look for a medium to dark roast espresso blend that can stand up to the milk while still offering complex flavours.
Single-origin beans can also work well, particularly those with chocolate or nutty notes that complement the milk’s sweetness.
Freshly roasted beans will always produce the best results, so consider buying from local roasters or subscribing to a coffee delivery service.
Common Challenges and Troubleshooting
Even with the best techniques and equipment, you may encounter challenges when making flat whites at home.
One common issue is achieving the right milk texture.
If your milk is too foamy, try incorporating less air during the steaming process.
Conversely, if your milk lacks texture, you may need to incorporate more air at the beginning of the steaming process.
Another challenge is balancing the flavours of the espresso and milk.
If your flat white tastes too weak, try using a stronger espresso shot or reducing the amount of milk.
If it’s too strong, you may need to adjust your espresso recipe or add slightly more milk.
Step-by-Step Recipe Flat White Coffee
Remember, perfecting your flat white technique takes time and practice, so don’t get discouraged if your first attempts aren’t perfect.
- Espresso Base: Like a latte or cappuccino, flat white starts with a shot of espresso, offering a rich, robust coffee flavour as its foundation.
- Milk Steaming: The milk for a flat white undergoes steaming to create a velvety microfoam. In addition, this microfoam is lighter and silkier than the froth in a cappuccino.
- Ratio and Texture: Flat white uses a higher ratio of coffee to milk compared to a latte, giving it a stronger coffee taste. Additionally, the microfoam should lay evenly over the espresso, resulting in a smooth, flat surface.
- Size: Flat whites are typically served in smaller cups (around 5-6 ounces), while they have more concentration than lattes.
Flat White Coffee Ingredients
Moreover, to make a flat white coffee at home, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Espresso beans: Choose a high-quality coffee bean to achieve the best flavour.
- Milk: Whole milk works best for creating the desired microfoam. However, dairy alternatives are a great choice besides.
- Espresso machine: You’ll need a machine capable of pulling an espresso shot and steaming milk.
- Milk pitcher: For steaming the milk pour over your espresso.
- Coffee grinder: To freshly grind your beans.
Furthermore, let’s dive into the recipe for making the perfect flat white coffee at home:
Step 1: Prepare the Espresso for your Flat White Base
- Preheat your espresso machine: Ensure your espresso machine is ready for use.
- Grind your coffee beans: Use a fine grind setting to achieve the optimal extraction for espresso.
- Pull a shot of espresso: Place the ground coffee in the portafilter, tamp it down evenly, and pull a shot of espresso into your cup.
Followed by Step 2: Steaming the Milk
- Fill a milk pitcher: Pour enough whole milk into a milk pitcher to create a flat white.
- Steam the milk: Use the steam wand of your espresso machine to steam the milk. Aim for a temperature around 150-155°F (65-68°C). Create microfoam by holding the steam wand just below the surface of the milk, allowing air to integrate with the milk.
- Swirl the milk: Swirl the milk pitcher gently to integrate the microfoam and the steamed milk.
Step 3: Pour the Milk
- Pour the milk: Lastly, pour the steamed milk over the espresso slowly. Aim for a smooth, even pour to achieve a flat surface.
- Create latte art: If you have mastered pouring techniques, you can create simple latte art on top of the flat white.
Step 4: Enjoy!
Finally, your flat white coffee is now ready to enjoy!
Moreover, savour the rich coffee flavour and the smooth, velvety milk foam.
Perfecting Your Technique
Creating the perfect flat white requires practice and attention to detail.
Start by pulling a double shot of espresso, aiming for a 25-30 second extraction time.
When steaming the milk, position the steam wand just below the surface to create a whirlpool effect, incorporating air to create the signature microfoam.
The ideal temperature for steamed milk is around 65°C (150°F), which you can gauge using a thermometer or by feeling the side of the pitcher.
When pouring, start from a height to allow the milk to sink below the crema, then lower the pitcher close to the surface to create latte art if desired.
Variations on the Classic Flat White
While purists may argue that a true flat white should stick to the classic recipe, many cafes and home baristas have created exciting variations of this beloved drink.
One popular variation is the flavoured flat white, which incorporates syrups or spices into the drink.
Common flavours include vanilla, caramel, and hazelnut, but more adventurous options like lavender or cardamom can also be found.
Another variation is the iced flat white, perfect for warm weather.
This version typically uses cold milk and is served over ice, offering a refreshing twist on the classic drink.
Some cafes even offer a “deconstructed” flat white, serving the espresso and milk separately to allow customers to mix the drink to their liking.
Flat white is a coffee beverage that originated in Australia or New Zealand (depending on who you ask) in the 1980s (Independent, 2018).
Furthermore, it is a blend of espresso and steamed milk, similar to a latte or cappuccino, but with a few key differences:
The Origins of the Flat White
The flat white, a beloved coffee drink that has taken the world by storm, has a history as rich and complex as its flavour profile.
This creamy, velvety beverage has become a staple in cafes around the globe, captivating coffee enthusiasts with its perfect balance of espresso and steamed milk.
However, the exact origins of the flat white are somewhat disputed, with both Australia and New Zealand claiming to be its birthplace.
The Australian Claim
Many Australians assert that the flat white was first created in Sydney during the mid-1980s.
According to this version of events, Alan Preston, an Australian barista, claims to have been the first to put the term “flat white” on his cafe menu in 1985 (Pendergrast, 2010).
Preston’s original recipe consisted of a double ristretto shot topped with steamed milk, featuring minimal foam and served in a ceramic cup.
This preparation method was said to be a response to customers requesting a “white coffee – flat,” essentially an espresso with steamed milk but without the thick layer of foam typically found on cappuccinos.
The New Zealand Contender
Across the Tasman Sea, New Zealanders have their own claim to the flat white’s invention.
One popular account attributes the creation to Wellington barista Fraser McInnes in 1989.
As the story goes, McInnis was attempting to make a cappuccino but struggled with the milk, resulting in a drink with less foam than intended.
Apologetically, he served the beverage to a customer, describing it as a “flat white” (Moldvaer, 2014).
This happy accident allegedly led to the drink’s inclusion on cafe menus throughout New Zealand.
The Ongoing Debate
The debate over the flat white’s origins has become something of a friendly rivalry between Australia and New Zealand.
Both countries have a strong coffee culture and take pride in their contributions to the global coffee scene.
Regardless of its true birthplace, the flat white has undeniably become a symbol of the innovative and high-quality coffee culture shared by both countries.
What Sets the Flat White Apart
To truly appreciate the flat white, it’s essential to understand what distinguishes it from other milk-based coffee drinks.
The key lies in its preparation and the careful balance of its components.
A perfectly crafted flat white consists of a double shot of espresso combined with steamed milk, resulting in a drink that is typically smaller and stronger than a latte but smoother and more velvety than a cappuccino.
The Espresso Base
The foundation of a great flat white is a well-pulled double shot of espresso.
Many baristas prefer to use a ristretto shot, which is a shorter, more concentrated espresso extraction.
This choice contributes to a richer, more intense coffee flavor that can stand up to the milk without being overpowered.
The quality of the espresso is crucial, as it provides the backbone of the drink’s flavor profile.
The Art of Milk Steaming
Perhaps the most distinctive feature of the flat white is its milk texture.
Unlike the thick, frothy foam of a cappuccino or the light foam of a latte, the flat white’s milk is steamed to create a velvety microfoam.
This technique requires skill and precision, as the goal is to heat the milk while incorporating just enough air to create a smooth, silky texture without large bubbles.
The result is a creamy consistency that blends seamlessly with the espresso, creating a harmonious flavor and mouthfeel.
The Perfect Pour
The final step in creating a flat white is the pour itself.
Skilled baristas often showcase their latte art skills when preparing a flat white, creating intricate designs on the surface of the drink.
The pour is typically done in a way that allows the crema from the espresso to rise through the milk, creating a beautiful contrast and enhancing the visual appeal of the beverage.
This attention to detail not only makes the flat white visually stunning but also ensures that the milk and espresso are well integrated throughout the drink.
The Global Spread of the Flat White
From its humble beginnings in Australia and New Zealand, the flat white has embarked on a remarkable journey to become a global coffee sensation.
Its rise to international fame is a testament to the drink’s appeal and the growing sophistication of coffee consumers worldwide.
The UK Embraces the Flat White
The flat white made its way to the United Kingdom in the early 2000s, quickly gaining popularity among coffee enthusiasts.
By 2010, major coffee chains like Starbucks had added the flat white to their UK menus, cementing its status as a mainstream coffee option.
The drink’s popularity in the UK has continued to grow, with The Economist reporting in 2024 that one in three UK consumers now choose a flat white when ordering coffee (The Economist, 2024).
This statistic highlights the significant impact the flat white has had on British coffee culture in a relatively short period.
North American Adoption
The flat white’s journey to North America took a bit longer, but it has since made a significant impact on the coffee scene.
Starbucks introduced the flat white to its American stores in January 2015, marking a major milestone in the drink’s global expansion.
This move helped to familiarize a wider audience with the flat white and sparked curiosity among coffee lovers eager to try this Australian and New Zealand import.
Since then, independent cafes and other coffee chains across the United States and Canada have embraced the flat white, often putting their spin on the classic recipe.
The Flat White in the Digital Age
The rise of social media has played a crucial role in the flat white’s global popularity.
Instagram-worthy latte art, often showcased on flat whites due to their ideal canvas-like surface, has helped to spread awareness and appreciation for the drink.
Coffee enthusiasts around the world share their flat white experiences online, contributing to a global coffee culture that transcends geographical boundaries.
This digital word-of-mouth has been instrumental in introducing the flat white to new markets and maintaining its popularity among coffee aficionados.
The Future of the Flat White
As we look to the future, it’s clear that the flat white has secured its place in the global coffee landscape.
Its popularity shows no signs of waning, and it continues to evolve and adapt to different markets and consumer preferences.
One emerging trend is the use of alternative milk in flat whites.
As more consumers opt for plant-based diets, cafes are offering flat whites made with oat, almond, or soy milk.
These alternatives can change the flavour and texture of the drink, offering new experiences for coffee lovers.
Another area of innovation is in coffee sourcing and roasting.
As consumers become more interested in the origin and sustainability of their coffee, we may see more flat whites made with single-origin or ethically sourced beans.
This trend could lead to a wider variety of flavour profiles in flat whites, highlighting the unique characteristics of different coffee-growing regions.
Conclusion: The Enduring Appeal of the Flat White
From its contested origins in Australia and New Zealand to its current status as a global coffee icon, the flat white has come a long way.
Its perfect balance of strong espresso and velvety steamed milk continues to captivate coffee lovers around the world.
Whether enjoyed in a bustling cafe or crafted at home, the flat white represents the best of modern coffee culture – a commitment to quality, attention to detail, and a willingness to innovate while respecting tradition.
As we raise our cups to this beloved beverage, we can appreciate not just its delicious taste, but also the rich history and cultural exchange it represents.
The flat white’s journey from a local speciality to a global phenomenon is a testament to the unifying power of great coffee, transcending borders and bringing people together one velvety sip at a time.
References:
Moldvaer, A. (2014) Coffee Obsession. London: DK Publishing.
Pendergrast, M. (2010) Uncommon Grounds: The History of Coffee and How It Transformed Our World. New York: Basic Books.
The Economist (2024) ‘The rise and rise of the flat white’, The Economist, 15 March. Available at: https://www.economist.com/britain/2024/03/15/the-rise-and-rise-of-the-flat-white (Accessed: 22 September 2024).
Specialty Coffee Association (2023) ‘The State of the Specialty Coffee Industry’, SCA. Available at: https://sca.coffee/research/specialty-coffee-industry-reports (Accessed: 22 September 2024).
Morris, J. (2022) The World Atlas of Coffee: From Beans to Brewing – Coffees Explored, Explained and Enjoyed. 3rd edn. London: Mitchell Beazley.
Citations
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IMhYa4U04Q
[2] https://www.greenplantation.com/a/flat-white-hit-from-the-menu-cafe
[3] https://voltagecoffee.com/flat-white/
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-50tS3d2Yao
[5] https://www.pactcoffee.com/brew-guides/flat-white
[6] https://www.caffesociety.co.uk/how-to-make-a-flat-white
[7] https://www.thespruceeats.com/flat-white-recipe-765371
[8] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbrLUjBe8tI
Also, if you are looking for more coffee recipes, try our latte step-by-step guide.