What's the Difference Between Luckin's Flat White and Latte - Introduction to Flat White's Flavor Characteristics

Understanding Flat White: The Unique Espresso Milk Coffee

Some friends have mentioned to FrontStreet Coffee that there's an interesting Italian-style coffee that goes by different names on various coffee shop menus – the "Flat White." At Starbucks, it's called "馥芮白" (Fù Ruì Bái), at Luckin Coffee it's known as "澳瑞白" (Ào Ruì Bái), and at JPG Coffee shops it's simply "小白" (Xiǎo Bái). At FrontStreet Coffee, we call it "澳白" (Ào Bái). Regardless of the name, they all refer to the same milk coffee originating from Australia.

What Makes a Good Flat White

A good Flat White should have a delicate, minimal layer of microfoam on top while still revealing the espresso crema. This creates a rich, milky texture when sipped, while the crema brings out a distinct and pleasant coffee aroma that leaves a lingering aftertaste.

Flat White vs. Latte: Understanding the Differences

Both Flat White and Latte belong to the category of milk coffees, made by combining espresso with milk, but their fundamental difference lies in their flavor and texture profile.

Latte emphasizes achieving a balance between coffee and milk – you should taste both the coffee flavor and the sweet, mellow taste of milk, with neither overpowering the other. Flat White, however, uses milk to highlight the coffee's flavor, where coffee is the protagonist and milk plays a supporting role. Therefore, Flat White has a more abundant and richer coffee flavor.

The thickness of the foam is the most distinguishable feature between Latte and Flat White. Flat White's foam is thinner and more delicate than Latte's. The "Flat" in Flat White expresses the finished state of the coffee – "Flat" means level, because Flat White's foam is so thin that its surface tension cannot support a raised dome, remaining level with the cup rim, hence the name "Flat." Latte's foam thickness is about 0.5-0.7cm, while Flat White's foam thickness is around 0.3-0.5cm.

Latte uses the standard Espresso as its base, while Flat White uses Ristretto, which is more concentrated than Espresso. Ristretto can be considered as extracting only the middle to early portions of an Espresso, resulting in more concentrated coffee liquid. Extracting only the middle to early portions also enhances the coffee's acidic flavors and roasted characteristics while reducing the extraction of high-molecular-weight carbohydrates. Simply put, this enhances the sensory experience.

Those of us who frequently drink milk coffee should know that Latte can be made both hot and iced, whereas Flat White, due to its texture characteristics, is only served hot.

FrontStreet Coffee's Flat White Selections

The flavor of Flat White depends on the flavor profile of the coffee beans used. For example, the Flat White served at FrontStreet Coffee is made with our house-roasted "Sunflower Warm Sunshine Espresso Blend," which combines sun-processed Yirgacheffe with Honduras Sherry Barrel coffee beans. Made with a double ristretto base and hot milk with light microfoam, it offers distinct whiskey fragrance and vanilla chocolate flavors, with full aroma and smooth texture, allowing you to clearly experience the coffee's flavor characteristics.

Besides the gentle Warm Sunshine blend, FrontStreet Coffee's espresso bean menu also features three high-value coffee blends that are equally suitable for making Flat White. These blends, created through multiple comparisons and experiments by FrontStreet Coffee, cover premium flavors from different coffee regions while ensuring extraction stability.

1. Classic Rich Type – FrontStreet Commercial Blend Coffee Beans

Robusta Washed Coffee Beans (10%) + Colombia Washed Coffee Beans (30%) + Brazil Natural Process Coffee (60%)

The espresso has abundant golden crema with nutty aroma. When made into a Flat White, you'll experience aromatic coffee bitterness accompanied by a creamy, full texture. After swallowing, the bitterness dissipates, leaving a pleasant aftertaste.

2. Slightly Acidic Rich Type – FrontStreet Basic Blend Coffee Beans

Yunnan Washed Catimor Coffee Beans (30%) + Brazil Natural Process Coffee Beans (70%)

Yunnan Catimor coffee brings gentle acidity paired with the rich aroma of Brazil Cerrado coffee. The espresso offers flavors of caramel, nuts, and subtle plum acidity.

3. Balanced Rich Aroma Type – FrontStreet Specialty Blend Coffee Beans

Colombia Washed Coffee Beans (30%) + Brazil Natural Process Coffee Beans (70%)

Building on the classic nutty notes of Brazilian coffee with the addition of Colombian coffee, the espresso presents dark chocolate flavors, caramel sweetness, and full roasted aroma.

For professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style).

For more specialty coffee beans, please add FrontStreet Coffee's private WeChat account: FrontStreet Coffee, WeChat ID: qjcoffeex

Important Notice :

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FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473