The Flat White is a coffee sensation taking the socials by storm. Where did this delicious little beverage come from? Let's find out.
The socials are all atwitter about the Flat White. It's a latte-like coffee drink people are losing it over. But what is it? Where did it come from? Why are people excited? Inquiring minds want to know!
What's a Flat White?
A flat white is made with espresso and steamed milk, similar to a latte but with some key differences. Here's the breakdown:
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Ingredients: Espresso and steamed milk, with a very thin layer of microfoam (the bubbly part) on top.
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Milk matters: Compared to a latte, a flat white has more espresso than milk, resulting in a stronger coffee flavor.
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Foam factor: The key difference is in the milk texture. A flat white has very fine, silky steamed milk with barely any foam, unlike a cappuccino that has a thick layer of foamy milk.
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Size: A proper Flat White is typically a smaller drink than a latte.
Who Invented the Flat White
The origin of the flat white is a friendly competition between Australia and New Zealand, with both countries laying claim to its invention in the 1980s. In 1985 Aussie Alan Preston put his boilerplate on the drink claiming he was the inventor. Meanwhile, Kiwi barista Fraser McInnes at Bar Bodega in Wellington supposedly made a "failed cappuccino" with skim milk that would become known as this now-famous drink.
How to Make a Flat White
Equipment:
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Espresso machine or moka pot: An espresso machine is ideal for creating true espresso with the pressure needed. If you don't have one, a moka pot can be a budget-friendly option that brews strong coffee similar to espresso.
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Milk frother: A milk frother is key to achieving the signature silky smooth milk texture in a Flat White. You can use a handheld electric frother for convenience, or an espresso machine's steam wand if you have one.
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Hand Held Steam Wand Alternative: These are great and give you a better level of control over your milk foam's density and airiness.
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Milk pitcher: A small metal pitcher is ideal for steaming milk.
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Espresso cups: Pre-warm your cups under hot water for best results.
Ingredients:
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Freshly roasted coffee beans for espresso or strong coffee. If you have a grinder buy whole beans. Always better. If not, ground is fine. We prefer not to use pods for better flavor, richness, and to save the planet from another piece of plastic.
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Whole milk, because it froths easier.
Instructions:
- Brew the espresso: If you're using an espresso machine, tamp the grounds and pull your desired amount of espresso shots - one for a small flat white, two for a larger one. If using a moka pot, follow the manufacturer's instructions for brewing strong coffee.
- Froth the milk: Here's where the magic happens...
- Fill your milk pitcher only halfway with cold milk.
- Froth your milk to create micro foam. Every frother is a little different so follow the device's instructions to create microfoaf.
If using a steam wand...
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Start steaming with the wand just below the milk surface, angled slightly towards the pitcher's side.
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Introduce air for a few seconds to create a hissing sound, then submerge the wand deeper to heat the milk without creating more foam.
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Stop steaming once the milk reaches around 140°F (60°C) and has doubled in height in your pitcher.
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Tap the pitcher gently with your palm to break up any large bubbles.
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Pour carefully: Gently pour the steamed milk into your espresso cup. If frothed right the milk should sink and the foam should float. Just pour slow as you go.
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Art (optional): If you're feeling adventurous, try your hand at coffee art by swirling or pouring the milk in a specific way to create a design on top.
And just like that, you got yourself the internet's favorite coffee drink. Enjoy!
