Drinks
Flat white
A flat white is a small espresso drink with steamed milk and minimal microfoam — typically 6oz total, with 1–2 espresso shots and tightly textured milk poured without a visible foam layer. It originated in Australia and New Zealand and is now a global specialty drink.
The flat white is distinguished by its milk texture: a glossy, paint-like microfoam with no separation between liquid and foam. Compared to a latte (1cm foam layer) or cappuccino (2cm foam), the flat white is essentially all microfoam, integrated throughout. The result is a stronger espresso flavor and silkier mouthfeel than a latte of the same size.
Standard build: 18g double shot, 6oz cup, whole milk steamed with minimal stretching (1 second or less), poured to create a glossy surface with no visible foam dome. Most cafés free-pour a heart on a flat white — the only practical latte art shape at that volume.
Flat white quality is a strong signal of barista technique. The drink requires precise milk steaming (too much foam ruins it, too little makes it watery) and a strong espresso shot (small volume means coffee character has to lead). Cafés that nail flat whites tend to nail everything.
Related terms
Keep exploring
Drinks
Latte
A latte is an espresso drink with steamed milk and a thin layer of microfoam on top — typically 12oz total, with 1–2 shots of espresso and the rest milk.
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Drinks
Cappuccino
A cappuccino is a small espresso drink with equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and dense milk foam — typically 6oz total.
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Drinks
Espresso
Espresso is a small, concentrated coffee beverage made by forcing about 92–94°C water through finely-ground, tamped coffee at 9 bars of pressure for 25–32 seconds.
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Milk & latte art
Microfoam
Microfoam is steamed milk with very small, uniform bubbles that create a glossy, paint-like texture.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a flat white and a latte?
What's the difference between a flat white and a cappuccino?
Why do flat whites taste stronger than lattes?
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