What Is a flat white beverage?
Description
flat white beverage
What Exactly Is a Flat White?
If you're not deeply involved in the specialty coffee scene or haven't spent time in New Zealand or Australia, you might not have heard of a flat white until recently. While this beloved coffee drink has been a staple Down Under for years, there's still some confusion — even among coffee enthusiasts — about what it really is.
To get to the bottom of what makes a flat white so special, I spoke to coffee lovers from Australia and New Zealand, the people who know this drink best.
What Is a Flat White?
A flat white is essentially a coffee made by pouring steamed milk over espresso. However, what sets it apart from other coffee drinks like lattes or cappuccinos is its smaller amount of foam.
In terms of proportions, a flat white consists of about 1/3 double shot espresso and 2/3 steamed milk, topped off with a thin layer of microfoam.
How Is a Flat White Different from a Latte?
At first glance, you might think a flat white is just another latte since both are made with steamed milk and espresso. But there are some key differences:
- Foam Size: Eileen P. Kenny, a barista and coffee writer, explains that a flat white typically has less microfoam than a latte, though the milk remains creamy.
- Strength: A flat white generally has a stronger coffee flavor because it has more espresso relative to the amount of milk.
- Size: A flat white is smaller, usually around 5.5 ounces, while a latte is closer to 8 ounces.
Where Did the Flat White Originate?
There's an ongoing debate about whether the flat white originated in Australia or New Zealand. According to Al Keating of Coffee Supreme in New Zealand, the flat white’s creation is attributed to Derek Townsend, a Kiwi. Keating humorously recalls Townsend’s legendary ability to steam three jugs of milk in one hand and make over 1500 flat whites in an hour, earning his café the name ‘Cafe Xtreme.’
(One of the many reasons to love Australians and New Zealanders, aside from their excellent coffee, is their sense of humor!)
How Popular Are Flat Whites in Australia and New Zealand?
Flat whites are immensely popular in both countries. Keating ranks flat whites as the top coffee choice in New Zealand, with lattes coming in second. In Australia, Eileen P. Kenny notes that flat whites and lattes are both at the top of the list.
Kenny also suggests that many people order a flat white thinking it’s a simpler, less “fussy” drink than a latte, though in reality, the two drinks are quite similar.
What Do People Love About Flat Whites?
Visit a cafe owned by Australians or Kiwis, and you’re bound to find flat whites on the menu. Many Australians, in particular, consider a good flat white the hallmark of a great café. So what makes this drink so special?
Kenny believes part of the enthusiasm stems from national pride. Australians have embraced the flat white as a uniquely local drink, much like the lamington or pavlova, regardless of whether it actually originated in Australia.
Keating adds that in New Zealand, people who simply order “just a coffee” are often served a flat white by default. That’s how deeply integrated it is into the country’s coffee culture.
(flat white beverage,flat white beverage,flat white beverage,flat white beverage,flat white beverage)
