Flat White CoffeeA slightly different kind of cappuccino
One of many popular drinks that can be prepared with an espresso machine is the Flat White! But what exactly is it and how does it differ from the classic cappuccino?
Espresso Perfetto enlightens!
Where does the flat white come from?
To get to the bottom of the origins of the flat white, we have to travel far away, both in space and time: more precisely, to post-war Australia and New Zealand! At that time, there was a large influx of immigrants from England and Italy. Migration has always had a major influence on the culinary richness of a society – and this was also the case with Australian coffee culture!
With the Flat White, the Italian coffee culture mixed with the English tea culture.
In the 1980s, the current name "Flat White" appeared for the first time in Australia and it was not until 2010 that the time had come: With the inclusion in the menu of the coffee house chain Starbucks, the Flat White experienced its great global breakthrough!
Since then, we can find the popular drink on more and more café menus and for many it is impossible to imagine everyday life without it.
Flat white or cappuccino? – Here are the differences
So what distinguishes a flat white from a cappuccino? After all, they are usually served in the same cup and look the same. But they differ in how they are prepared.
Instructions for making a classic cappuccino:
It consists of one-third espresso and two-thirds milk, with one-third of the milk being milk foam. To achieve the typical creamy, fine-pored cappuccino foam, the milk is frothed for a particularly long time using the steam wand on the portafilter machine. When pouring, the passionate barista can let their creativity run wild with their latte art!
How to prepare a flat white:
Just like with cappuccino, espresso or ristretto makes up one third of the drink. This proportion is usually achieved with a double espresso or ristretto, but those who prefer a milder taste can use a single espresso shot – essentially an espresso lungo. When it comes to the milk content, the structure of the foam makes all the difference, but more on that later.
The right cup for your flat white
As already indicated, the Flat White is classically drunk out of a Cappuccino cup but in many cafés it is also served in a smaller and wider glass. Latte Macchiato Glass glass. The glass is particularly suitable for practicing, as it allows you to closely observe whether the consistency of the milk is fluid enough. The thin layer of foam in relation to the rest of the milk is clearly visible through the glass.
If you use a classic cappuccino cup, you should make sure that the foam, unlike in cappuccino, does not protrude over the edge of the cup, but ends up flat with it - hence "Flat White".
The best espresso for flat white coffee
Due to the high milk content of flat whites, we recommend—just as for cappuccinos—a stronger espresso roast or a blend with a solid Robusta content. Our Espresso Perfetto Bar Gustois particularly well suited here, as it has a particularly full body thanks to its 40% Robusta content. In addition, its strong aromas stand out excellently against the milk.
If you are interested in the differences between Arabica and Robusta beans and would like to find out which blends are available in our shop, we recommend reading our blog post on this topic: Arabica or Robusta beans
Perfect milk foam in your flat white
Whether plant-based or animal milk, the most important factor for a flat white is the consistency of the foam. For the best texture, the milk is only "frothed" briefly and then heated further with the wand completely submerged until the desired temperature is reached. This makes the milk particularly fine-pored and much more liquid than cappuccino milk – this is often referred to as microfoam. This consistency is important for the next step in the preparation process.
Latte art with a milk jugfor flat whites
The transition from milk to foam is much smoother in a flat white than in a cappuccino. As already mentioned, this is particularly easy to see in a glass. While a cappuccino can be clearly divided into three layers, with the color gradating from dark at the bottom to light at the top, the transition from milk to foam in a flat white is barely noticeable in terms of color.
This makes pouring with latte art decoration particularly challenging. Often, the milk is prepared a little too thin, as there is a tendency to froth it for too short a time. If you are used to making cappuccino, it can be difficult at first to judge when the frothing for a flat white is too short.
H3: Our tip for latte art with flat whites
The point at which you draw your patterns is reached much later than when pouring into a cappuccino. The reason for this is the thin layer of foam. With a flat white, the milk is poured from a considerable distance from the cup, and only shortly before reaching the rim of the cup does the spout of the jug approach the surface to form the patterns.
The key here is: practice, practice, practice!
That's why the Flat White is so popular
Cappuccino and flat white are clearly competing with each other.
Most flat white coffee fans are former cappuccino drinkers who didn't like the thick foam. For some, this thick layer of foam gives the impression that the cappuccino is being diluted, and it also bothers many when drinking from the upper lip.
The flat white, on the other hand, does not have an annoying layer of foam that stubbornly sticks to your upper lip and that you first have to laboriously "drink through."
Last but not least, the power of a trend should never be underestimated. Coffee culture has undergone a massive renaissance in the last 20 years, and the desire for something new has therefore become ever stronger among coffee fans. So why not try something new?
Want to try your hand at a Flat White, too?
No problem! You can find everything you need in our store. We have a large selection of first-class Espresso machines for all demands: No matter if beginner, advanced or professional barista - here everyone will find the ideal portafilter machine!
Matching to this we offer an equally large selection of Espresso grinders and -beans as well as the necessary accessories in the form of Tamper, tamper stations, decanter, brew drawers and the for a Flat White especially important milk jugs!
That was: The Flat White - the somewhat different form of cappuccino