Introduction:Among Luckin Coffee’s offerings, ten classic drinks such as Coconut Latte and Cheese Latte consistently rank high in popularity. However, many customers still confuse 'Flat White' (澳瑞白) with 'Latte', particularly wondering why Flat White is often served in smaller cups. This article delves into the key differences between the two—from coffee bean selection, cup size, espresso base, milk ratio, to milk foam thickness—and explains why Luckin’s Flat White is offered in a smaller serving. Additionally, practical extraction parameters and blend suggestions are provided to help readers craft the ideal cup either in-store or at home via pour over.

Among the many products at Luckin Coffee, ten beverages including Coconut Latte, Cheese Latte, Velvet Latte, Iced Americano, and others have long been fan favorites. Yet, many still have only a vague understanding of the fundamental differences between 'Flat White' (also called 澳瑞白) and 'Latte', even mistakenly assuming the smaller 'Flat White' cup is a downgrade or cost-cutting measure. In reality, these two classic milk coffees differ significantly in brewing method, flavor profile, and drinking experience. This article will systematically compare the two across aspects such as coffee bean type, cup size, espresso base choice, milk ratio, and milk foam layer, while also explaining why Luckin’s Flat White is served in a smaller cup. Professional-level extraction parameters and blend advice are also included, so you can master the essence of a great cup whether you’re taking it to go or brewing at home via pour over.

Market observations show that the current top ten most popular coffee drinks at Luckin are: Coconut Latte, Cheese Latte, Velvet Latte, Iced Americano, Okinawa Brown Sugar Velvet Latte, Sea Salt Cheese Thick Milk Latte, Coconut Cloud Latte, Yirgacheffe Dirty, Flat White (i.e., 澳瑞白), and Latte. Although both Latte and Flat White belong to the milk coffee category, each has its own distinct characteristics, especially in terms of flavor direction and texture details.

Many people often ask, ‘What exactly is the difference between Flat White and Latte?’ Simply put, Latte is the most common espresso-based milk coffee; the name 'Latte' means 'milk' in Italian, signifying that milk is a key element of this coffee. 'Flat White', originally called 'Flat White', originated in Australia, where local baristas modified the traditional espresso-based drink to emphasize the coffee flavor itself. Initially, Flat White was somewhat similar to France’s Café au Lait, both being regional specialty milk drinks, whereas Latte spread globally along with Italian coffee culture, becoming one of the most widely recognized coffee types.

Flat White was later introduced to the Chinese market by international chains. For example, in 2015, Starbucks launched 'Flat White' in China, essentially a phonetic translation of the term. This move greatly increased the visibility of this Australian-style milk coffee, gradually making it a popular alternative to Latte. Since 'Flat White' had already been trademarked, other businesses often referred to it as '澳白咖啡' (meaning Australian Milk Coffee), or translated it as '平白' or '小白咖啡'. Luckin’s version of the same product is called '澳瑞白'.

When discussing the differences, let’s start with the most basic element: 'coffee beans'. In Australia, many cafés use blended beans when making Latte to replicate the balanced taste akin to Italian style. However, when crafting Flat White, they tend to choose single-origin beans or specialty blends with more pronounced flavors and lighter roasting levels. The goal is to highlight the coffee’s aroma and sweetness, without it being completely masked by the milk. If you’re selecting beans for home brewing, consider using a blend from regions like Brazil, Indonesia, or Vietnam with a dark roast—this brings out a rich, bold crema, suitable as a base for either Latte or Flat White, and is also relatively easy to find on the market.

Next is 'cup size design'—the aspect that confuses most consumers. A standard Latte typically comes in a 350 ml cup, while a Flat White is usually around 200 ml, noticeably smaller. So if you order a Flat White and receive a smaller cup, don’t doubt whether you’re getting less—this is simply the standard size for Flat White. The smaller cup design helps concentrate the coffee aroma, ensuring that each sip delivers a strong coffee-forward taste.

Regarding the 'espresso base', Latte generally uses the standard 'Espresso', i.e., regular Italian-style espresso. In contrast, Flat White uses 'Ristretto'—a type of espresso extracted only from the first half of a normal shot. This results in a higher concentration, brighter acidity and roasty notes, while reducing the release of larger carbohydrates, leading to a cleaner and more layered mouthfeel. Taking common extraction parameters as an example, Espresso is typically made with 20 grams of coffee grounds yielding 40 grams of liquid; Ristretto, on the other hand, uses 20 grams of grounds to produce 28–30 grams of liquid, significantly increasing the concentration.

'Milk ratio' is another key difference. Latte aims for a balance between coffee and milk, usually using more milk—for instance, 2 shots of Espresso (totaling 40 grams) with 260 ml of milk, resulting in a milky drink with coffee aroma. In contrast, Flat White uses 2 shots of Ristretto (extracting about 30 grams of coffee) with 170 ml of milk. With less milk in the mix, the coffee flavor stands out more, and the mouthfeel is richer and fuller.

Another clear distinction lies in 'milk foam thickness'. Latte typically has a milk foam layer about 1 cm thick, offering a soft and fluffy texture. Flat White, however, has a thinner, finer foam, only about 0.5 cm thick, almost flush with the rim of the cup—this is also the origin of the word 'Flat' in 'Flat White'. This delicate foam not only makes the drink look more refined but also helps highlight the coffee’s inherent aroma and complexity.

Lastly, it’s worth noting that Flat White is generally only available as a hot drink, with no iced version offered. In contrast, Latte can be ordered hot or iced, depending on the season or personal preference. Perhaps due to the existence of other iced coffee options like Dirty, Flat White focuses more on delivering the pure coffee flavor in its hot form.

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.