How to Make Flat White at Home

Want to make a flat white at home? Here’s how.

A flat white is an artistry coffee beverage similar to a latte which is prepared with espresso and milk. Flat white coffee is very popular in Australia and New Zealand and its popularity has increasingly spread across the globe.

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What is the difference between latte and flat white?

You might be wondering what the difference is between a latte and flat white. In the specialty coffee world, a flat white is typically creamy, and it has less microfoam and volume than a latte. Lattes are usually larger than flat whites. This is how I differentiate lattes and flat whites and cappuccinos too…

Let me show you the major differences between a cappuccino, latte, and flat white in a simple way.

• Cappuccino has 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, 1/3 milk foam.
• Latte has 1/6 espresso, 4/6 steamed milk, 1/6 milk foam.
• Flat White has 1/3 espresso and 2/3 steamed milk.

In short, the main difference between the three is the ratio of milk to espresso.

Have you ever thought about making a flat white in your kitchen?

It is not as hard as you think.

To make a flat white at home, you’ll need the following:

1. Espresso machine with milk steamer. A flat white is a delicate beverage that you have to use a machine to make. It doesn’t have to be a fancy machine, a basic machine with a steam wand will do the work.
2. Whole milk. For better microfoam consistency, creaminess, and flavor. However, if you are counting calories, I’d suggest opting for 2% fat milk. Never use skim milk.
3. Milk pitcher. An essential tool to properly froth and steam milk. 12 or 20 ounces is a decent size milk pitcher for making a flat white.
4. Coffee cup. A porcelain cup will bring out the full flavor of your coffee. Opt for a 6 or 7-ounce cup if possible.
5. Fresh coffee beans. Get the freshest coffee, preferably 3-5 days after roasting. Always look for the roasting date but not shelf life of the roasted bean. My rule of thumb is to not buy beans unless you know when it was roasted.
6. Coffee grinder (Optional). If you don’t have one at home, you can always ask the shop to grind the beans for you. It is still fresher than pre-ground coffee from grocery stores.

Now, let me show you how to make a flat white.

You can also skip below to a printable recipe, or keep reading for a step by step guide with pictures.

Step 1

Preheat the coffee cup. This is done to keep your flat white warm for longer.

Step 2

Grind the coffee beans and pull a 2-ounce shot of espresso into the cup. Proper extraction time when pulling a shot is crucial to protect the taste of the espresso.

Step 3

Pour milk into the pitcher until it is half full. Always use fresh cold milk, and only steam the amount you need.

Step 4

Steam and produce milk that mimics the consistency of wet paint. Insert the steam wand tip in the cold milk, about ½ inch in, and keep it rolling all the time. When it is too hot to the touch, turn the steam wand off. Don’t forget to purge the steam wand before and after steaming.

Step 5

Pour the steamed milk immediately. Start pouring directly into the center, mix well and fill the cup.

Don’t have an espresso machine? Read how to How to Make Latte Art at Home Without Expensive Coffee Machines.

Art in the cup. Challenge yourself with different coffee art designs once you master the free pouring skill.

The flat white is my favorite milk based coffee beverage. The espresso cuts through the milk and compliments it with a sweet and creamy texture. It is like drinking a creamy espresso, sweet, rich and velvety that you hardly notice the presence of milk. A strong coffee flavor and a velvety smooth mouth feel all in one cup, what else can I ask for?

Try it at home and let us know how it turns out.

Flat White Coffee Recipe

Yield: 1

Flat White Coffee

Print

Want to make a flat white at home? Here’s how.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Active Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Materials

• Sprinkles (optional)

Tools

• Espresso machine

Instructions

1. Preheat the coffee cup. This is done to keep your flat white warm for longer.

2. Grind the coffee beans and pull a 2-ounce shot of espresso into the cup. Proper extraction time when pulling a shot is crucial to protect the taste of the espresso.

3. Pour milk into the pitcher until it is half full. Always use fresh cold milk, and only steam the amount you need.

4. Steam and produce milk that mimics the consistency of wet paint. Insert the steam wand tip in the cold milk, about ½ inch in, and keep it rolling all the time. When it is too hot to the touch, turn the steam wand off. Don’t forget to purge the steam wand before and after steaming.

5. Pour the steamed milk immediately. Start pouring directly into the center, mix well and fill the cup.

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