Different definitions of Flat White | how is the proportion of Flat White different from that of lattes?

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Flat White, commonly known as Xiaobai, has been on the menu of many boutique coffee shops for some time, but do you know what it is? And what's the difference between a Flat White and a latte?

Let's take a look at the history of Flat White, how it is made, and how Flat White differs from lattes and cappuccinos.

What is Flat White?

Flat White is an espresso base blended with steamed milk, which is the simplest way to put it.

Flat White is a good choice for those who want a strong coffee taste with a small amount of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam.

If you want a coffee-based drink and then want the fullness of milk, Flat White is for you, but how does it differ from latte?

The Origin of Flat White

There is some debate about whether Flat White originated in Australia or New Zealand, but Flat White appeared around 1980, and since then Flat White has appeared in boutique coffee shops in the United States, the United Kingdom and elsewhere.

Ben Bicknell, strategy manager at Five Senses Coffee in Melbourne, said: "without a deep understanding of the history of Australia and New Zealand, I would think that Flat White evolved naturally in both places at the same time. "

"from instant coffee to espresso, consumers are looking for something they are familiar with, not a cappuccino. At that time, the milk coffee here had a lot of milk foam, so consumers asked for more [flat "drinks. In fact, the amount of milk foam in Flat White has evolved to be less (but more delicate and delicious) than cappuccino. "

When Starbucks in the United States began boldly replacing lattes with Flat White, it said the drink was becoming mainstream.

The difference between a cappuccino and a latte?

We have a preliminary understanding that Flat White is an espresso-based drink with steamed milk and a small amount of milk foam, so how is this different 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 around for years. In Italy, coffee lattes are actually milk-based drinks for breakfast, often made from coffee made from a mocha pot heated by the stove.

Elsewhere, the name usually means a cup of espresso with a combination of steamed milk and a layer of milk foam at the top.

In order to clarify the difference between cappuccino and cappuccino, cappuccino is usually smaller and stronger in taste. Cappuccino is a combination of a dose of espresso and a thick layer of milk foam. The traditional latte is larger, the ratio of coffee to milk is higher and milder, and the proportion of milk foam is lower.

The difference between Flat White and latte?

Ben said: "in Australia, lattes are usually filled in 200ml glasses, while Flat White is filled in 180ml ceramic cups, so there is less problem of dilution. In the past, lattes may have a thicker foam layer (about one centimeter) and a thinner Flat White (about 0.5cm). Over the past few years, however, the tiny differences in bubbles have been largely abandoned and are now showing the amount of milk bubbles in a similar form. "

But Ben's experience may not be applicable in all regions, and the Flat White presented by each coffee shop may vary slightly, so it is easy to confuse consumers.

Cappuccinos and lattes may be made with one or two doses of espresso, but Flat White traditionally uses two doses. However, even if Flat White becomes more popular, some baristas may use two doses of short extract concentrated restretto to create a stronger coffee flavor, making the definition of the beverage more confusing.

Different definitions of Flat White

Flat White may have a slightly different definition depending on your country and baristas. Jonathan Prestidge, operations manager of Repack Espresso in the UK, said the main difference between latte and Flat White is the ratio of coffee to milk.

The texture of the milk of the two drinks is very similar, and there is enough room in the cup to draw flowers. In terms of scale, the author's store holds Flat White in 5-ounce cups and lattes in 8-ounce cups. Both use two doses of espresso. If the capacity is more than 6 ounces (about 170ml), the author thinks it's not a Flat White, but a latte.

Felipe Cisneros, the boss of Traviesa Coffee in Ecuador, believes that the difference in Flat White has something to do with the personal preferences of baristas.

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. According to the mood and skills of baristas, both drinks have ways to create marketing topics and have their own recipes. "

Ceiran Trigg, director of Ancestors Coffee in the UK, said: "Flat White is a 5-6oz (140oz-170ml) drink made with a two-dose concentrate, with a very thin texture and a small proportion of milk. The liquid content of the latte is 7-9 ounces (200-250ml) and can reach 10 ounces (280ml). The texture of the milk is between Flat White and cappuccino. "

Which is better, Flat White or latte?

The specific size of the cup and the ratio of coffee to milk may vary, but there is a general consensus that Flat White is smaller than a latte and has a higher proportion of espresso.

If you like the delicate flavor of boutique coffee, but want to drink sweet milk, then Flat White may be more suitable for you than latte coffee, because it has a lower proportion of milk, Flat White allows you to more fully experience the flavor characteristics of coffee beans. But is it better? Not exactly. There are many ways to experience boutique coffee, and each of us has our own preferences.

Does Flat White taste stronger than latte? Flat White is a drink with a higher coffee concentration, and its coffee flavor is stronger than milk. Because it is made with two doses of concentrate, it may be stronger in coffee than a latte.

Flat White combines the thick taste and flavor of espresso with the fullness of milk. For people with lactose intolerance, the alternative plant milk foams more easily than milk and can also be well used in Flat White fusion.

When we go to a coffee shop to order, knowing what Flat White is can help you choose, but if you pay attention to details such as proportion but are not familiar with what the store does, you may be able to ask the barista how they make Flat White.

But Ben says the definition of Flat White itself is less important than other issues. The more important question is whether coffee drinkers can taste the essence of fine coffee through lattes or Flat White and are willing to keep coming to the store.

Translated from Perfect Daily Grind.

Translated by Cheng Zhen Coffee

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