The exact origins and history of the flat white are a little murky, but the popular coffee most likely came about in the 1980s in a small coffee shop in Australia. 

By 2010, the velvety drink began to appear on Starbucks menus throughout the UK, and in 2015 it made its way to the franchise’s coffeeshops in the US. 

In this article, we’ll dive into what makes a flat white special and how it’s different from other espresso-based drinks. We’ll also guide you through the simple steps to make an amazing flat white every time, as well as a few variations so you can personalize it.

Flat White vs. Latte vs. Cappuccino vs. Macchiato

Although a flat white may look similar to a latte, cappuccino, or macchiato, there are several differences that make a significant impact on each one’s flavor and texture.

Double espresso and microfoam are the two key aspects that separate a flat white from the crowd. In general, a flat white has a stronger, more concentrated coffee flavor than other similar drinks. 

It combines the intensity and boldness of an espresso with the pleasant richness of a dairy-based coffee.

To make things a little clearer, here’s a table detailing the similarities and differences between a flat white, latte, cappuccino, and macchiato.

The History of the Flat White

Although a flat white is a simple coffee, its history is anything but. Australian Barista Alan Preston claims he was the first to offer a flat white as part of his menu. He says he served it in his coffeeshop in the mid-1980s after many customers requested a “white coffee — flat.”

However, New Zealander Fraser McInnes argues that he invented the flat white. While working as a barista, he attempted to make a cappuccino with low-fat milk. The milk refused to properly froth, and he served the drink while apologizing, "Sorry, it's a flat white!"

Despite its hazy origin, the drink has since become one of the most popular coffees in the world. According to The Economist, one in three people in the UK order flat whites from coffeeshops. This silky smooth beverage is also increasing in popularity throughout the US.

How to Make A Flat White

A flat white may be a simple coffee, but there’s an art to getting it right. Armed with the right tools, top-quality ingredients, and the expert knowledge you’ll find below, you’ll have everything you need to make the perfect flat white every single time.

We’ve included a few variation options at the bottom if you want to make your coffee dairy-free, stronger, or get creative with latte art. 

You can’t make an amazing coffee without amazing coffee beans. For a stellar flat white, try our DaNang Coffee. It contains a mix of arabica and robusta beans, resulting in a well-balanced flavor profile and a great caffeine kick.

Our BanMe coffee contains 100% peaberry and will give you a strong, dark, and flavorful espresso. 

If you’d prefer a lighter coffee, choose our DaLat Coffee instead. This variation is made from 100% arabica beans and, although it’s lighter than our others, it retains a wonderfully complex flavor. 

Tools & Ingredients

• Espresso machine — you'll need a machine with a steam wand, too, or you'll need to pick one of these up separately.
• Coffee grinder — a blade grinder is cheaper and will work, but most coffee experts opt for a burr grinder for greater consistency.
• Milk jug — this is used to hold your milk as you froth it to perfection.
• Coffee tamper — these usually come with your espresso machine, but if not, we highly recommend picking one up.
• Digital scale — optional but highly recommended for precise measurements.

• Fresh coffee beans — we recommend medium or dark roast, such as our DaNang Coffee or DaLat Coffee.
• Cold whole milk or plant-based alternative — oat milk works well for microfoam.
• Filtered water — avoid using hard water or you could damage your espresso machine.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Brewing a flat white is relatively straightforward, but might take some practice to get it just right. The hardest part is going to be getting the microfoam to the right consistency, so be patient and keep trying if it doesn’t work out the first time! 

Step 1: Prepare Your Coffee

The first step is to measure and grind your coffee beans. 

You need around 14 g for two espresso shots. (Although ground coffee is incredibly convenient, we always recommend using freshly roasted whole beans for the best flavor and proper grind.)

For the best espresso, finely grind your beans. The texture should be like table salt. 

Step 2: Fill & Tamp Your Porta-Filter

Tamp the ground coffee firmly and evenly into your espresso machine's porta-filter or directly into the brew chamber if your machine doesn't come with one. 

You’re looking for a compact layer of coffee grounds with a uniform level. This helps avoid channeling during extraction.

Related: How Much Coffee to Use per Cup.

Step 3: Brew the Espresso

For the best results, make sure your espresso machine is properly heated before you start.

Begin by pulling a double shot espresso. You need around 60 mL or 2 oz of espresso for a flat white. 

Check out our guide on how to brew espresso for more information on how this works.

Step 4: Steam the Milk

Begin by purging the steam wand of any residual water.

Next, pour 150 mL or 5 oz of cold milk into a clean metal jug.

Submerge the steam wand just below the milk’s surface and steam to create microfoam. Steam until the milk becomes silky and glossy, with tiny uniform bubbles.

Stop steaming the milk as soon as it reaches 60°C (140°F) to avoid scalding.

Step 5: Combine Milk & Espresso

Gently swirl the milk in the pitcher to maintain the microfoam’s silky consistency, then carefully pour the milk into the espresso from a low height. Slowly raise the pitcher as the cup fills to smoothly integrate the microfoam. 

Stop when the foam is level with the top of your cup (this is the “flat” part of the flat white).

Expert Tips & Tricks: Brewing A Flat White

If you want to perfect your cup, here are some expert barista tips and tricks to help get it right: 

1. Use High-Quality Equipment — A top-quality espresso machine and grinder will give you much better results than lower-quality equipment.
2. Use Full-Fat Milk — Full-fat milk produces the best microfoam, but there are alternatives. Oat milk is the best dairy-free milk for microfoam when properly steamed.
3. Make Sure the Surface is Flat — The surface of the flat white should be smooth and glossy. Ensure there are no large bubbles before serving for the optimum texture. 
4. Perfect Your Milk Pouring Technique — The way you pour the milk has a huge impact on the flavor and texture. Practice makes perfect, so keep trying until you get it right.

• Try a Double-Shot Ristretto For Stronger Coffee — a ristretto shot is a more concentrated, less bitter version of espresso, using less water for the same amount of coffee grounds, resulting in a shorter, stronger shot that packs a punch in flavor and intensity.
• Explore Your Talent With Latte Art — Flat whites are perfect for latte art. Practice different creative pouring techniques to create latte art and add a personal touch to your flat white.

FAQs: Flat White Coffee

1. What is the difference between a flat white and a latte?

The biggest differences between a flat white and a latte are the texture of the milk and the espresso-to-milk ratio.

A flat white has a higher coffee-to-milk ratio (it’s made with a double espresso) and is topped with a velvety microfoam. A latte has a lower coffee-to-milk ratio (it’s made with a single espresso) and is topped with steamed milk and a light layer of foam. 

2. Can I make a flat white without an espresso machine?

You’ll get the best results with an espresso machine, but there are alternatives you can use. An AeroPress and a moka pot both make an espresso-like coffee that’s great for a flat white.

But you’ll have trouble achieving the characteristic microfoam without a steam wand that comes with an espresso machine. A milk frother will help you get some air into the milk and improve the texture, but it won’t be identical to the microfoam that’s typical of a flat white.

3. How do I prevent my flat white from being too watery?

To avoid a watery flat white, make sure your espresso is properly extracted. You can do this by tamping your ground coffee firmly and evenly. 

A watery flat white can also be caused by over-steaming your milk. Place the steam wand in the pitcher just below the milk’s surface and steam until the milk becomes silky and glossy with tiny, uniform bubbles. Stop steaming as soon as the milk reaches 60°C (140°F).

4. How many calories does a flat white have?

A 5-6 oz flat white made with whole milk and no sweetener contains around 90 calories. The calorie count of coffee drinks like a flat white can vary widely, depending on the size of the drink, the type of milk used, and any added sweeteners.

A flat white is lower in calories than similar drinks like a latte and a breve, which can both have around 15 calories.