How to Make Flat White Coffee: Step-by-Step Directions

What is Flat White Coffee?

Flat white coffee, often characterized by its velvety texture and strong espresso flavor, started gaining popularity in Australia and New Zealand in the 1980s. This specialty coffee beverage is typically made with a double shot of espresso and microfoamed milk. Unlike the cappuccino, which has a greater proportion of foam, or the latte with more milk, a flat white strikes a perfect balance, allowing both the milk and espresso flavors to shine. The espresso used for a flat white is generally more concentrated, providing a deeper coffee experience with a hint of creaminess to soften the espresso's intensity. Its steadily growing popularity is largely due to this rich coffee flavor profile and its creamy mouthfeel, which coffee aficionados around the globe have come to cherish.

Step-by-Step Directions on How to Make Flat White Coffee at Home

Making a flat white in the comfort of your home is easier than you might think. With over 30 years of roasting experience, here are some of our best brewing recipes that provide a smooth, less acidic cup that provides the perfect flat white experience.

Here's how you can create an indulgent flat white right in your kitchen:

1. Start by grinding your coffee beans to a fine consistency. Put enough coffee into your espresso machine for a double shot.

2. Tamp the grounds in the portafilter firmly to ensure an even extraction. Attach it to your espresso machine.

3. Pull a double shot of espresso into a properly sized cup or a mug, aiming for about 60 milliliters of coffee.

4. While your espresso is being pulled, pour cold milk into a jug up to the one-third mark, suitable for steam frothing. Full cream milk is traditionally used for the best texture, but non-dairy or other alternatives can work as well.

5. Use the steam wand of your espresso machine to froth the milk. The goal is to achieve microfoam with tiny, uniform bubbles, and no visible large air pockets.

6. Tap the milk jug against the counter and swirl the milk to break any large bubbles and to make the milk velvety and shiny.

7. Pour the microfoamed milk over the espresso, starting from a high point, and then bringing the jug closer to form a small white dot in the center.

8. Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade flat white.

Tips to Making the Best Flat White

While the process of making a flat white at home may seem straightforward, the nuance resides in the details. Paying attention to a few important steps can elevate your home barista game from good to excellent.

Here are five tips to enhance your flat white:

1. Try to use freshly ground coffee beans to get the most vibrant flavor. Pre-ground coffee may not deliver the same punch.

2. Invest in a good quality espresso machine. The pressure and temperature control can drastically affect the quality of your espresso.

3. Practice your milk frothing technique. Achieving the perfect microfoam takes a little patience, but it's essential for a great flat white.

4. Use a ceramic cup to maintain the temperature of your flat white. Temperature plays a crucial role in how your drink tastes.

5. Experiment with the coffee-to-milk ratio to find your ideal balance. Some may prefer a stronger coffee flavor, while others might prefer a creamier texture.

Using Puroast to Make the Best Flat Whites

The extraordinary flavor profile of Puroast's low-acid coffee roasts makes them an excellent choice for your Flat White. The reduced acidity means that the natural coffee flavors are more pronounced without bitterness, making it perfect for combining with the sweetness of the microfoamed milk.

For flat whites, our Dark Roast or House Blend can offer the depth and richness you're looking for to match the creaminess of the milk. These roasts are not just delicious but also gentler on your stomach.

Flat White FAQs

What exactly is a flat white?

A Flat White is a coffee drink that originated in Australia and New Zealand. It's prepared by pouring microfoamed milk over a double shot of espresso. The resulting beverage has a velvety texture and strong coffee flavor, with a fine layer of foam on top.

How does a flat white differ from a Latte or a Cappuccino?

A flat white is similar to a latte and cappuccino in that all three drinks contain espresso and milk. However, the key difference lies in the milk-to-espresso ratio and milk texture. The flat white has a higher coffee-to-milk ratio than a latte and less foam than a cappuccino, leading to a creamier drink with a more pronounced coffee taste.

What's the best type of milk to use for a flat white?

Full-fat milk is traditionally used for making a flat white because it creates a richer, creamier texture when steamed. However, you can use any type of milk depending on your dietary preferences, keeping in mind that different kinds of milk will froth differently and affect the final texure and taste.

Can I make a flat white without an espresso machine?

While an espresso machine is an ideal tool for making a flat white, you can use alternative brewing methods such as an Aeropress or a stovetop espresso maker to mimic the espresso component. For the microfoam milk, you can use a manual milk frother or a French press to froth the milk, though the texture may vary slightly from that produced by a machine’s steam wand.

How much caffeine is in a flat white?

A typical flat white contains as much caffeine as a standard double shot of espresso since it's made with two shots. The exact amount of caffeine can vary depending on the coffee beans used, but it's generally around 130 to 150 milligrams of caffeine.

How do I achieve the perfect microfoam for a flat white?

To achieve the perfect microfoam, use cold milk, and make sure to introduce just enough air before submerging the steam wand into the milk to create a vortex. Keep the wand just below the surface to incorporate fine bubbles until the milk reaches the ideal temperature, which is around 140 to 155 degrees Fahrenheit.

What is the ideal coffee-to-milk ratio for a flat white?

The ideal coffee-to-milk ratio for a Flat White is typically around 1:5, which means one part espresso to five parts steamed milk. This can vary based on personal preference, but the defining feature of a Flat White is its creamy consistency and strong coffee presence.

Are flat whites typically sweetened?

A flat white is not traditionally sweetened, however, it can have a slightly sweet taste due to the natural sweetness of the milk when steamed. You may add sugar or flavored syrup if you prefer a sweeter drink than milk alone provides.

Can I use any type of coffee bean to make a flat white?

For the best results, you should use coffee beans specifically suited for espresso, which are often a darker roast with a bold, rich flavor profile. These types of beans will give you the strong coffee taste that is characteristic of a proper flat white.

What is the difference between a flat white and a cortado?

Both flat whites and cortados contain espresso and steamed milk, but the cortado generally has equal parts espresso and milk, leading to a stronger coffee flavor. On the other hand, a flat white has a slightly higher proportion of milk and is marked by its smooth, velvety texture.