Kick off your day with aNespressodouble shot flat white.
Flat White Recipe
Italy may lay claim to most coffee variations, but the flat white coffee has its roots closer to home. An espresso coffee type, the flat white sits between thelatteand cappuccino in both taste and technique and has become a classic with coffee-lovers everywhere.
An Australian or New Zealand creation (depending on who you ask), a flat white recipe is slightly larger than acappuccinoand with less foam than a latte, resulting in both a creamy texture and a direct espresso flavour profile. Keen to enjoy this fan-favourite from home? We walk through how to make a flat white ahead for a perfect finish every time.
What is a Flat White Coffee?
First things first, what is a flat white drink? As the name suggests, the flat white recipe is defined by its flat layer of foam that forms on top of the creamy espresso. The drink combines espresso and steamed milk in proportions that are ideal for those who love the taste of espresso. Steamed milk is combined without diluting the flavour of the coffee for a creamy espresso taste. The flat white has been a staple in Australian and New Zealand cafes since the late 80s, and found its way to American and English shores in the early 2010s.
The Difference Between a Flat White & a Latte
Though they both featuresteamed milkand espresso, a few key features differentiate a flat white coffee from a latte and a cappuccino. The flat white contains more milk than a cappuccino and less than a latte. Possibly the most obvious distinction is the ‘barely there’ microfoam head that the flat white gets its name from. This is a result of gentler milk steaming techniques, which incorporates air slower, resulting in less foam. The final product provides a coffee-forward taste without the intense strength of a stand-alone espresso.
What is in a Flat White Coffee?
A high-fat milk was previously the preferred option for baristas when making flat white coffee, but the quality of alternative milk means you can make a rich and velvety flat white with whatever type you’d like. Aside from good quality milk, a flat white recipe calls for barista-quality espresso. TheVertuo capsule collectionoffers a range of espresso shots to suit individual preferences, from the high-intensity roast of Ristretto Classico to the smooth cereal notes of Altissio. Whether you use a double or single shot is up to you.
How to Make a Flat White at Home
So, how do you make a flat white from the comfort of your home? Start by choosing your preferred cup size – ristretto, espresso or double espresso – and then extract that coffee into a cup. The vessel you opt for is an important aspect of how to make a flat white: we recommend opting for a ceramic cup in a small enough size – too big, and the milk will dilute the espresso flavour and make creating the microfoam difficult. Then,steam your milk gentlyusing either a milk frother like theAeroccino3 Black Milk Frotheror coffee machine with a steam wand like theCreatista Pro.
