Flat white

A flat white with latte art.

A flat white is a coffee beverage originating from Australia . It is prepared by pouring microfoam (steamed milk from the bottom of a pitcher) over a single or double shot of espresso. It is similar to the latte and the café au lait. Like other espresso-based beverages, it can be interpreted various ways.

The beverage is typically served in a small, 150–160 millilitre, ceramic cup. Microfoam is used, resulting in a smooth and velvety texture. A flat white may incorporate latte art.

Similar beverages

A cappuccino is similar, but has a head of dry foam rather than microfoam.

The Spanish Cafe con Leche is similar to a flat white but uses scalded milk. In a flat white, the milk is steamed to 60–70 °C (typically 150–170 °F). Steaming the milk to a lower temperature retains the fats and proteins in the milk which retain a sweet flavour, lost when milk is steamed to scalding temperatures. A Cafe con Leche also lacks the head of microfoam.

The latte is occasionally argued to be similar: "The only difference between the two drinks is the vessel in which they're presented. A flat white is served in a ceramic cup, usually of the same volume (200 millilitres) as a latte glass. However, some cafes will top a latte with extra froth, while others may pour a flat white slightly shorter."

Origins

Derek Townsend, the co-owner of DKD café in Auckland claims to have developed it, though acknowledges that the term "flat white" was already in use in Sydney to describe a similar style of coffee. Yet one must acknowledge that laying claim to have invented something, whilst also acknowledging it already existed, is blatantly contradictory.

See also

• Caffè
• Long black