Texture is the defining choice
The milk is steamed into glossy microfoam and poured so it integrates closely with the espresso. There is less airy foam than in a cappuccino.
Compare it with your usual latte
- Flat white recipes differ among cafés. The useful questions are cup size, shot count and how much steamed milk goes into the drink.
- Look for a thin layer of fine foam that blends into the milk. It should feel silky rather than like a spoonful of separate froth.
- Choose it if you like a latte's texture but want less milk between you and the espresso. A cappuccino is the alternative when you prefer airy foam.
What does it taste like?
A flat white feels velvety and coffee-forward. It is softer than espresso, but more concentrated in flavour than many lattes.
What about caffeine?
Caffeine depends on the number of espresso shots. The smaller cup mainly changes the milk-to-coffee ratio.
Who might enjoy it?
- You want silky milk rather than a thick foam cap.
- You like a latte but want more espresso presence.
- You prefer a compact milk drink.