Flat White – what is it, and how do you make one?

A Flat White is an espresso-based coffee drink with hot, finely textured milk.

At first glance, it resembles both a cappuccino and a caffe latte, but a Flat White is typically smaller and has a higher ratio of espresso to milk. As a result, the coffee's flavor stands out more clearly.

The milk must have a very fine, glossy microfoam that blends with the espresso rather than settling as a thick layer of foam on top.

The result is a small, creamy coffee drink with distinct espresso and a smooth mouthfeel.

In this guide, you will get a simple Flat White recipe and learn the difference between a Flat White, cappuccino, cortado, and caffe latte.

Flat White in brief

A Flat White basically consists of:

espresso + finely textured milk

A practical starting point at home is:

• 18 g coffee
• approximately 36 g espresso
• finely textured milk
• total drink volume around 150–180 ml.

There is no universal standard.

The recipe can vary between cafes, countries, and coffee beans.

The most important thing is the ratio:

Less milk than in a typical caffe latte and very fine microfoam, so that the espresso's character remains distinct.

What is a Flat White?

A Flat White is a coffee drink based on espresso and steamed milk.

Key characteristics include:

• relatively small serving size
• distinct espresso
• fine microfoam
• smooth and creamy texture
• less foam than a classic cappuccino
• less milk than a typical caffe latte.

A Flat White should therefore not just be a small latte.

The balance between espresso and milk is crucial.

If you add much more milk, the espresso's character becomes gradually less distinct, and the drink gets closer to a caffe latte.

Where does the Flat White come from?

The Flat White is primarily associated with Australia and New Zealand.

Both countries have claimed the drink's origin, and there are various stories about where and when the name was first used.

There is therefore no complete consensus on which country can be called the final birthplace of the Flat White.

The most important thing for the modern Flat White is not the debate about its origin, but how the drink has evolved:

A relatively small milk-based drink where the espresso remains a distinct part of the taste experience.

Flat White recipe

Here is a simple starting point for one Flat White.

You will need

• 18 g coffee beans
• espresso machine
• coffee grinder
• milk
• milk pitcher
• cup around 150–180 ml.

Espresso

Start with:

18 g coffee in

and aim for approximately:

36 g espresso out.

This corresponds to an espresso ratio of around 1:2.

This is a good starting point, but not a rule.

If your coffee works better at, for example, 18 g in and 40 g out, use the recipe that produces the best espresso.

Read our guide to espresso if you want to work more with dose, yield, brew time, and extraction.

Milk

Only steam the amount of milk you need.

The goal is a very fine, glossy microfoam with a relatively small increase in volume.

The milk should be pourable as a cohesive, smooth liquid.

Thus, a Flat White does not require a thick layer of airy milk foam.

How to make a Flat White step by step

1. Weigh the coffee beans

Start with, for example, 18 grams of coffee.

Use a digital coffee scale so you can replicate the recipe.

2. Grind the coffee finely

Espresso requires a fine grind.

How fine depends on:

• the coffee grinder
• the coffee beans
• the dose
• the espresso machine.

If the espresso runs very quickly, try grinding finer.

If it barely runs at all, try a slightly coarser setting.

Read our guide to grind size for a more detailed explanation.

3. Brew the espresso

Distribute the coffee evenly in the filter basket and tamp.

Brew the espresso.

A practical starting point can be:

18 g coffee → approximately 36 g espresso

in about 25–35 seconds.

However, taste is more important than the stopwatch alone.

4. Start with cold milk

Pour cold milk into the milk pitcher.

Do not overfill the pitcher unnecessarily.

A smaller milk pitcher of about 350 ml can be practical for one Flat White, as you are working with a relatively small amount of milk.

See our milk pitchers for coffee and latte art.

5. Introduce a small amount of air

Place the tip of the steam wand just below the surface of the milk.

At the beginning of the steaming process, let the tip work near the surface so a small amount of air is drawn in.

For a Flat White, you need less air than for a very foamy cappuccino.

The goal is not to create a thick layer of foam.

6. Create rotation in the milk

After the initial introduction of air, place the steam wand a little deeper.

Try to create a rotating motion in the pitcher.

The rotation helps distribute the air bubbles and create a smooth, uniform texture.

7. Stop around 55–65 °C

A practical temperature range is around:

55–65 °C

The milk should be hot and sweet without being unnecessarily overheated.

8. Polish the milk

Once steaming is finished:

Gently tap away any larger bubbles.

Then swirl the milk pitcher.

The milk should look:

• glossy
• smooth
• uniform
• almost paint-like.

If there is a stiff layer of foam sitting on top of thin milk, the texture is not ideal for a Flat White.

9. Pour the milk into the espresso

Start by pouring from a slightly higher position so the milk and espresso mix.

When the cup begins to fill, you can bring the pitcher closer to the surface.

If the milk has the right texture, you can simultaneously pour latte art.

What should the milk be like for a Flat White?

Milk texture is one of the most important differences between a Flat White and several other milk-based drinks.

It must have:

very small air bubbles

and a:

smooth, glossy, and liquid consistency.

The microfoam must be integrated into the milk.

You should not end up with:

hot, thin milk at the bottom and a thick layer of dry foam on top.

When you rotate the milk pitcher after steaming, the entire milk should move as one cohesive liquid.

How much milk is in a Flat White?

There is no single universal amount.

If you use:

36 g espresso

and serve the drink in a cup around:

150–180 ml

the rest will mainly be textured milk.

This provides a much higher concentration of espresso than in a large caffe latte of, for example, 250–300 ml.

This is precisely why a Flat White is often experienced as more coffee-intense.

How big is a Flat White?

Around 150–180 ml is a good practical starting point.

However, the size varies between cafes.

It is therefore better to understand the Flat White based on the ratio between espresso, milk, and texture than to say that a Flat White must contain exactly a certain number of milliliters.

A very large Flat White with the same amount of espresso will gradually start to resemble a caffe latte more.

Flat White vs. cappuccino

Flat White and cappuccino both consist of:

espresso + textured milk

but the structure of the milk and the proportions of the drink are typically different.

Modern cappuccinos are also often made with very fine microfoam, so the difference may be less distinct in some cafes.

The recipes therefore sometimes overlap.

If you want to know more, you can read our guide to cappuccino.

Flat White vs. caffe latte

This is one of the most common comparisons.

Both drinks consist of espresso and textured milk.

The biggest difference is typically the amount of milk.

Flat White

• smaller drink
• less milk
• more distinct espresso
• very fine microfoam.

Caffe latte

• larger drink
• more milk
• milder coffee taste
• smoothly textured milk.

If you love milk coffee but want to be able to taste the espresso more clearly, a Flat White is often an obvious choice.

Flat White vs. cortado

The cortado is even closer to espresso.

The classic idea is roughly:

equal parts espresso and hot milk.

This normally means that a cortado contains less milk than a Flat White.

If you want as much espresso as possible and only a little milk, a cortado is ideal.

If you want a creamier drink with a bit more milk, a Flat White is a natural next step.

Read our guide to cortado.

Flat White vs. latte macchiato

The two drinks are very different.

A Flat White is a relatively small coffee drink with distinct espresso.

A latte macchiato consists mainly of milk.

Flat White

The espresso is central.

Latte macchiato

The milk is central.

A latte macchiato is also often served in a tall glass, where different layers can be visible.

Read our guide to latte macchiato.

Is a Flat White stronger than a latte?

It depends on what you mean by stronger.

If both drinks contain the same amount of espresso, they contain roughly the same amount of coffee.

However, a Flat White typically contains less milk.

Therefore, the espresso is less diluted, and the intensity of the coffee taste is experienced more clearly.

A Flat White can therefore taste stronger without necessarily containing more espresso.

Does a Flat White have more caffeine than a cappuccino?

Not necessarily.

The caffeine content depends primarily on:

• how much coffee is used
• the coffee beans
• the number of espresso shots
• the espresso recipe.

If both a Flat White and a cappuccino are made with the same double espresso, their caffeine content will be roughly comparable.

The amount of milk does not change the amount of caffeine in the espresso that has already been brewed.

Should a Flat White have a double espresso?

Many modern Flat Whites are made with a double espresso.

However, this is not a universal rule.

Some cafes use a single espresso or divide a double shot between two smaller drinks.

At home, it is more important to choose an espresso recipe that fits:

• the cup size
• the amount of milk
• the desired coffee intensity.

18 grams of coffee to about 36 grams of espresso is a good place to start.

Which coffee beans are best for a Flat White?

A Flat White contains less milk than a caffe latte.

This means that the character of the espresso stands out relatively clearly.

You can therefore use many different types of coffee.

Medium roast coffee

A versatile choice with a balance of sweetness, body, and the origin characteristics of the coffee.

Dark roast coffee

Good if you want a stronger coffee with distinct chocolate, caramel, or roast character coming through the milk.

Lighter espresso

Can provide a more modern Flat White with clearer fruitiness and acidity.

Single origin

Interesting if you would like to be able to clearly taste the character of one specific coffee through the milk.

See our coffee beans for espresso, where you can choose according to the flavor profile you prefer.

A darker espresso for a Flat White

If you prefer classic flavor notes such as:

• dark chocolate
• caramel
• roasted notes

a darker espresso can work really well.

Our Colombia Supremo dark roast is, for example, a coffee we find works well in milk drinks like Flat White, cappuccino, and caffe latte.

The darker profile makes it easier for the character of the coffee to stand out clearly alongside the milk.

Can you use light roast coffee for a Flat White?

Yes.

It can provide a completely different experience.

A lighter espresso can highlight:

• fruitiness
• florality
• fresh acidity
• the origin character of the coffee.

At the same time, the milk can add sweetness and soften the acidity.

However, it requires an espresso recipe that suits the specific coffee.

A Flat White is therefore a good milk drink if you want to experiment with different espresso beans, because the coffee is not covered by as much milk as in a large latte.

Which milk is best for a Flat White?

Ordinary cow's milk works well for a Flat White because it can create fine and stable microfoam.

But different types of milk will affect:

• sweetness
• mouthfeel
• foam
• the overall flavor balance.

Milk with a higher fat content can provide a fuller mouthfeel.

The protein content also has an impact on foam formation.

The most important thing, however, is the technique.

Even good milk will not turn into good microfoam if too much air is introduced.

Can a Flat White be made with oat drink?

Yes.

A barista version of an oat drink can typically be textured better than a standard version.

The same principle applies:

Introduce a small amount of air and then work on creating a smooth, cohesive texture.

The result will not necessarily be identical to cow's milk, but you can easily make a creamy Flat White.

How hot should the milk be?

A good practical range is:

55–65 °C.

If the milk gets much hotter, the flavor experience can change, and it also becomes less pleasant to drink immediately.

If you are learning to steam, a milk thermometer can make it easier to hit the same temperature every time.

Why do I get large bubbles in the milk?

Large bubbles are typically caused by too strong or incorrect air introduction.

If the steam wand tip is too high above the surface of the milk, it can pull in large amounts of air.

Try instead:

1. Start with the tip of the steam wand just around the surface.
2. Introduce only a small amount of air.
3. Then lower the tip slightly.
4. Create rotation in the milk.

The goal is many very small bubbles, not a few large bubbles.

Why does my Flat White just become warm milk?

If you don't introduce any air at all, you get warm milk without microfoam.

You only need a small amount of air, but it still has to be introduced.

Try to listen for a short, soft sound when air is drawn in early in the steaming process.

After that, the milk should rotate and become smooth.

Why does the milk become too foamy?

Then too much air has likely been introduced.

This is a typical mistake if you use the same steaming technique for a Flat White as for a very foamy cappuccino.

A Flat White should have relatively little volume increase.

The milk should be creamy and pourable – not stiff.

Can you make latte art in a Flat White?

Yes.

A Flat White is particularly suitable for latte art because the milk has a fine and fluid microfoam.

A good place to start is a simple heart.

When you pour:

1. Start higher above the cup to mix milk and espresso.
2. When the cup is about half full, bring the pitcher closer to the surface.
3. Pour slower.
4. When the white microfoam emerges, you can shape the pattern.

Good milk structure is more important than advanced pouring technique.

See our latte art accessories, if you want to continue working with pouring and patterns.

Which cup is used for a Flat White?

A cup of about 150–180 ml is a good starting point.

The relatively small size helps maintain a clear ratio between espresso and milk.

A very large cup requires either:

more espresso

or

more milk.

If you just add more milk to the same espresso, the drink becomes gradually milder.

You can see our coffee cups and coffee glasses, where several sizes are suitable for a Flat White.

Flat White with one or two shots?

Both exist.

A double espresso is a practical and very common starting point.

Example:

18 g coffee → 36 g espresso

If you prefer a smaller or milder Flat White, a single espresso can also be used.

The most important thing is that the ratio fits the cup.

If you change the espresso without changing the amount of milk, you also change the balance of the entire drink.

A Flat White doesn't have to be complicated

You don't need to hit one magical ratio.

Start with:

18 grams of coffee

↓

36 grams of espresso

↓

fine microfoam

↓

a cup of about 150–180 ml

Taste.

If the drink tastes too much of milk, you can:

• use less milk
• choose a smaller cup
• adjust the espresso
• choose a coffee with more intensity.

If the espresso dominates too much, you can add a little more milk.

The best Flat White is the one where espresso and milk work well together.

How to get a better Flat White

Focus on three things.

1. The espresso

It must taste good before you add milk.

2. The milk texture

The foam must be fine, shiny, and integrated.

3. The ratio between espresso and milk

There must be enough milk to make the drink creamy, but not so much that the espresso disappears.

If these three things work, the recipe doesn't need to be more complicated.

If you need the full foundation, you can use our espresso guide, guide to grind size, and our selection of coffee beans for espresso.

Frequently asked questions about Flat White

What is a Flat White?

A Flat White is an espresso-based coffee drink with warm, finely textured milk and a thin layer of microfoam. It is typically served smaller than a caffe latte so the taste of the espresso stands out more clearly.

What is the difference between a Flat White and a cappuccino?

A Flat White typically has less and finer microfoam, while a cappuccino has a more distinct foam structure. A Flat White is often perceived as smoother and more coffee-intense.

What is the difference between a Flat White and a latte?

A Flat White is typically smaller and contains less milk in relation to the espresso. Therefore, it tastes more intensely of coffee than a regular caffe latte.

What is the difference between a cortado and a Flat White?

A cortado typically uses even less milk and is often around a 1:1 ratio between espresso and milk. A Flat White is larger and creamier.

How large is a Flat White?

Around 150–180 ml is a good practical starting point, but there is no one universal size.

How much espresso is in a Flat White?

Many Flat Whites are made with a double espresso. A practical starting point is 18 grams of coffee to about 36 grams of finished espresso.

How much milk is in a Flat White?

It depends on the size of the cup and the espresso recipe. In a cup of about 150–180 ml, the remainder after the espresso will mainly consist of textured milk.

Should a Flat White have foam?

Yes, but very fine microfoam rather than a thick, stiff foam layer.

Can you make latte art on a Flat White?

Yes. The fine microfoam makes a Flat White very suitable for latte art.

Which coffee beans are best for a Flat White?

Medium roast, dark roast, and lighter espresso beans can all work. Choose based on the flavor profile you want through the milk.

Is a Flat White stronger than a latte?

It typically tastes more coffee-intense because it contains less milk. If both contain the same espresso, the caffeine content is not necessarily higher.

Does a Flat White have more caffeine than a cappuccino?

Not necessarily. It depends on the amount of espresso and the coffee beans, not on the amount of milk.

Where does the Flat White come from?

The Flat White is associated with both Australia and New Zealand, and there is still disagreement about the exact origin of the drink.