Different Definitions of Flat White | How Do the Preparation Methods and Ratios of Flat White Differ from Latte?

Commonly known as "Xiao Bai" (Little White), the Flat White has appeared on the menus of many specialty coffee shops for some time now, but do you know what it is? And what's the difference between a Flat White and a latte?

FrontStreet Coffee believes that the derivation of the Flat White stems from everyone's pursuit of flavor and texture in specialty coffee beans, therefore there are many ways to make it, depending on the coffee beans used by the coffee shop, and also depending on the barista's understanding of the Flat White. Generally, baristas will approach the Flat White's unique texture from aspects such as small cup size, thin milk foam, and refined concentrated base.

FrontStreet Coffee uses their own roasted "Sunflower Warm Blend" espresso, which is composed of 70% Honduras Sherry coffee and 30% Yirgacheffe natural red cherry coffee. The whiskey, vanilla, and cream flavors of the sherry are paired with the tropical fruits and fermentation notes of the red cherry, making the coffee in the cup rich in aroma and smooth in texture. The Flat White produced presents aromas of vanilla, chocolate milk, and whiskey-filled chocolate, along with the sweet and sour of berries, entering the mouth with a smooth, mellow richness, and an exceptionally long aftertaste.

Let's explore the history of Flat White, how it's made, and the differences between Flat White, latte, and cappuccino.

What is a Flat White?

A Flat White is based on espresso and mixed with steamed milk—the simplest explanation is just that. For those who want to experience a rich coffee texture with a small amount of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam, the Flat White is a good choice. If you want a drink where the coffee flavor is dominant, but you also want the full texture of milk, then the Flat White is perfect for you, but how do you distinguish it from a latte?

The Origin of Flat White

There is some debate about whether the Flat White originated in Australia or New Zealand, but the Flat White appeared around the 1980s, after which it began to appear in specialty coffee shops in the United States, United Kingdom, and other regions. Ben Bicknell, Strategy Manager at Melbourne's Five Senses Coffee, said: "Without deeply understanding the history of Australia and New Zealand, I would think the Flat White naturally evolved simultaneously in both places."

"From instant coffee to espresso, consumers were seeking something familiar, not cappuccino. At that time, milk coffees here all had a lot of foam, so consumers asked for a 'flatter' drink. In fact, the amount of foam in a Flat White has evolved to be less than that of a cappuccino (yet with a more delicate and delicious foam)." When American Starbucks began to boldly replace lattes with Flat White on its menu, it signaled that this drink was gradually becoming mainstream.

The Difference Between Cappuccino and Latte?

We initially understand that a Flat White is a drink based on espresso with steamed milk and a small amount of foam, so what's the difference from a latte or cappuccino? The word "latte" first appeared in English in the 1980s, but the concept of adding coffee to warm milk has been practiced for years. In Italy, caffè latte is actually a milk-dominated breakfast beverage, often made with coffee brewed from a stovetop moka pot.

Elsewhere, the name usually means an espresso with steamed milk and a layer of foam on top. To clarify the difference from a cappuccino, cappuccinos are typically smaller in size and have a stronger coffee taste. A cappuccino is made with one shot of espresso combined with a thick layer of foam. Traditional lattes are larger, with a higher ratio of coffee to milk, making them milder, and have less foam.

The Difference Between Flat White and Latte?

Ben said: "In Australia, lattes are usually served in 200ml glass cups, while Flat Whites are served in 180ml ceramic cups, so there's less chance of dilution. In the past, lattes might have had a thicker foam layer (about 1 cm), while Flat Whites had thinner foam (about 0.5 cm). However, over the past few years, the slight differences in foam have basically been abandoned, and now the amount of foam is presented in a similar form."

But Ben's experience may not apply to all regions, and the Flat White presented by each coffee shop may have slight differences, making it easy to confuse consumers. Cappuccinos and lattes may be made with one or two shots of espresso, but traditionally a Flat White uses two shots. However, even as the Flat White has become more popular, some baristas might still use two shots of ristretto to create a stronger coffee flavor, making the definition of this drink even more confusing.

Different Definitions of Flat White

The definition of a Flat White may vary slightly depending on the country you're in and the barista. Jonathan Prestidge, Operations Manager at Repack Espresso in the UK, said the main difference between a latte and a Flat White lies in the ratio of coffee to milk.

The texture of the milk in both drinks is very similar, and there's enough space in the cup for latte art. In terms of proportions, the author's shop uses 5-ounce (about 140g) cups for Flat White and 8-ounce (about 225ml) cups for lattes. Both use two shots of espresso. If the capacity is larger than 6 ounces (about 170ml), the author believes it's not a Flat White, but a latte coffee.

Felipe Cisneros, owner of Traviesa Coffee in Ecuador, believes the difference in Flat White is also related to the barista's personal preference. He said: "Lattes are the best-selling drinks in second-wave coffee shops, while Flat White is one of the most popular coffee drinks in third-wave coffee shops. Depending on the barista's mood and skill, both drinks can create marketing topics and have their own recipes."

Ceiran Trigg, Director of Ancestors Coffee in the UK, said: "A Flat White is a 5-6 ounce (140-170ml) drink made with a double shot of espresso, with very thin milk texture and a relatively small proportion. A latte has a liquid volume of 7-9 ounces (200-250ml), and can reach 10 ounces (280ml), with milk texture between that of a Flat White and a cappuccino."

Which is Better: Flat White or Latte?

The specific cup size and the ratio of coffee to milk may vary, but the general consensus is that a Flat White is smaller than a latte and has a higher proportion of espresso. If you enjoy the delicate flavors of specialty coffee but also want to taste sweet milk, then a Flat White might be more suitable for you than a latte because of its lower milk proportion, allowing you to more fully experience the flavor characteristics of the coffee beans. But is it necessarily better? Not necessarily. There are many ways to experience specialty coffee, and we all have our personal preferences.

Is a Flat White stronger in taste than a latte? A Flat White is a drink with a higher perception of coffee concentration, where the coffee taste is stronger than the milk. Since both are made with two shots of espresso, it may be stronger in coffee concentration than a latte. The Flat White combines the rich texture and flavor of espresso with the full texture of milk. For friends with lactose intolerance, plant-based alternatives used as substitutes foam more easily than milk and can be well applied to the integration of Flat White.

When we order at a coffee shop, understanding what a Flat White is helps you make a choice, but if you're particular about details like proportions but aren't familiar with the shop's method, perhaps you can ask the barista how they make their Flat White. But Ben said that the definition of a Flat White itself isn't as important as other issues; the more important question is whether the coffee drinker can taste the essence of specialty coffee through a latte or Flat White and is willing to continue visiting the shop to experience it.

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