Coffee specialty
What makes a flat white so special – and what differentiates it from a cappuccino
The fine milk foam is characteristic of the Flat White
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Latte macchiato, cappuccino, espresso, espresso macchiato – there are now countless ways to enjoy your coffee. A few years ago a new one emerged from Australia: the Flat White.
Since then, the flat white, as the drink is literally translated, has become an integral part of the coffee scene. Visually it is reminiscent of a cappuccino. Although the ingredients and cup sizes are the same, the method of preparation is different.
While the cappuccino only contains a simple espresso, the… Flat White is a double ristretto. So that means you get more coffee. By the way, ristretto refers to a specific espresso variant in which only around 15 or 20 milliliters of water are used and the taste is correspondingly more intense.
On the other hand, the milk foam is prepared differently. While a lot of air is added to the milk when it is heated to make a cappuccino, when it comes to making a flat white, only minimal air is added to it, which creates a thinner layer of foam. With Flat White, the milk foam is significantly more liquid and fine-pored. It is therefore also known as microfoam and is therefore very suitable for pouring artistic decorations such as hearts, flowers or other motifs onto it – the so-called latte art.
Flat White – coffee trend from Australia
The milk foam is also said to be responsible for the name. Because Flat White is a reference to the fact that the milk foam ends with the edge of the cup. With a cappuccino or latte macchiato, this usually protrudes slightly above it.
Although the term comes from Australia, it was introduced by Italians and English people who emigrated there after the Second World War. While the English brought their tea from home, the Italians later introduced coffee. Since the English were used to drinking their tea with milk, they did the same with coffee. Later the milk was frothed – and thus the Flat White was born.
Google is honoring the coffee specialty with a doodle this Monday.
Watch the video above: Open your eyes! Actually all the coffee cups in this picture puzzle look the same. But be careful: one of them has a mistake – and you only have 15 seconds to spot the outlier. Sounds simple? Try it yourself!
Sources: Roastmarket Magazine, coffeecircle.com