Introduction:Flat White (also known as Australian White or Flat White) is a hot milk coffee renowned for its intense coffee aroma and delicate microfoam. Originating from Australia, it gained widespread recognition after being promoted by Starbucks. This article delves into its historical origins, international variations in preparation, the key ratios of milk foam to cup size, and how precise extraction can bring out its optimal flavors—helping you fully grasp the essence of this classic coffee.
Flat White (also called Australian White or Flat White) is a popular hot milk coffee beverage in recent years, known for its delicate microfoam, smaller serving size, and prominent coffee flavor. This coffee can be traced back to the post-World War II era when Italian immigrants brought Italian coffee culture to Australia. Local consumers gradually developed a preference for milk coffee with a stronger coffee taste, giving rise to the Flat White—with thinner foam and a higher proportion of coffee. In 2015, Starbucks introduced it to the Chinese-speaking market under the name “馥芮白” (Fùruìbái), making it an instant hit.
The hallmark of this coffee lies in its extremely fine microfoam, which typically has a thickness of only 0.3 to 0.5 centimeters, paired with a small serving size and a double espresso base, ensuring every sip delivers a perfect balance between coffee and milk. Many people opt for Flat White instead of a latte when the weather turns cooler, as its coffee aroma is more pronounced and its texture smoother and richer.
As for the authentic preparation of Flat White, baristas around the world have different interpretations. Generally, it uses a double espresso (Double Espresso) or a more concentrated Ristretto base, combined with about 150 to 200 milliliters of milk, with an extremely thin layer of foam that almost clings to the rim of the cup, presenting a silky-smooth texture. This design allows drinkers to experience both the fineness of the foam and the richness of the coffee liquid simultaneously, and it’s recommended to enjoy it before the foam dissipates.
In New Zealand, baristas typically use a cup with a capacity of about 150 milliliters , using a double espresso as the base and less milk, making the coffee flavor more prominent—it’s considered a “mini latte.” Meanwhile, some cafés in Melbourne take it a step further by using Ristretto as the base—a type of espresso with a shorter extraction time, smaller volume, but more concentrated flavor, which gives Flat White a stronger aroma and layered complexity, while also placing higher demands on coffee bean quality.
As for Australia itself, although there are slight variations in preparation, the general emphasis is on having thinner microfoam than traditional lattes. Most still use a similar serving size to that of a latte, focusing on controlling the thickness of the foam. Early on, there were no strict standards for the thickness of the foam layer, but as the coffee became more popular, the industry gradually defined the Flat White foam layer as about 0.3 to 0.5 centimeters, ensuring the coffee flavor isn’t masked by the foam while maintaining a smooth mouthfeel.
To recreate a high-quality Flat White at home or in a café, the key lies in controlling the details of extraction and microfoam. Taking a common method as an example, you can use a double ristretto as the base, extracting 30 grams of coffee liquid from 20 grams of coffee grounds, with the extraction time ideally kept within 25 to 27 seconds, allowing the early and mid-palate flavors of the coffee to shine through. Next, steam about 150 milliliters of milk to a temperature of approximately 55 to 60°C, while using less air intake than for a latte to create finer and more uniform microfoam. Finally, pour the milk slowly into the coffee, ensuring a seamless integration, and you’ll enjoy a Flat White with delicate foam and rich coffee aroma.
In summary, Flat White is a coffee that pays attention to detail. Every aspect—from cup size and foam thickness to base selection—affects the final flavor profile. Whether you’re a coffee enthusiast or a professional, gaining a deeper understanding of this beverage’s characteristics and preparation essentials will help you better appreciate or present its unique charm.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
