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Flat white vs latte: what’s the difference between these two popular espresso drinks? Here’s what you need to know — and how to make them!
Flat white vs latte: what’s the difference between these popular espresso drinks? Great question. In fact: they’re made with exactly the same ingredients. These days, modern coffeehouses have even started to blend the definition of the two so they’ve become very similar. So the difference is very subtle! Here’s what to know about these two drinks, and how to make them at home.
Want to learn how to make latte art? You can make it on both drinks! Here’s our tutorial on Latte Art Basics!
Flat white vs latte: what’s the difference?
Both the flat white and latte are espresso drinks made with espresso, steamed milk and a layer of foam on top. What’s different are the proportions of these ingredients. Here’s the technical breakdown of flat white vs latte using the modern coffeeshop definitions:
- Flat White is the least frothy, with about ¼ inch microfoam at the top. The steamed milk is stretched 20-25%. It tastes like drinking an espresso with smooth velvety foam.
- Latte is medium frothy, with about ⅜ inch microfoam at top. The steamed milk is stretched 25-35%. It tastes milkier than a flat white, a bit more like drinking milky coffee.
- Cappuccino is frothy but not foamy, with about ½ inch microfoam at top. The steamed milk is stretched the most of the three, at about 30-50%.
It’s important to keep in mind that the exact definition depends on the specific coffee shop and location in the world. Our definitions for flat white and latte use a double shot of espresso and roughly the same amount of milk. In some parts of the world, you’ll find coffee shops that serve a flat white in a small mug and the latte in a larger cup with a much higher percentage of milk, resulting in a creamier flavor.
For you visual learners, here’s a graphic that shows the approximate foam to coffee ratios for each of the espresso drinks! If you taste the two back to back, you’ll notice that the difference in flavor and texture is subtle yet perceptible.
Flat white vs latte: FAQ
Now that you know the technically definitions, we can answer these coffee drink questions:
- Does a flat white have more milk than a latte? A modern flat white has the same amount of milk as a latte: the milk is just less frothy.
- Which is better: a flat white or latte? It’s really a matter of personal preference! The flat white tastes more like espresso with velvety foam, whereas the latte is more milky. Personally we prefer a flat white when it’s made correctly, but both are delicious! (But the macchiato is better, in our opinion.)
- Which has more caffeine a flat white or a latte? Both drinks are made with two espresso shots, so they have the same amount of caffeine. One espresso shot has 64 mg caffeine, so both drinks have 128 mg caffeine. (Compare that to a cup of drip coffee, which has 95 mg caffeine.)
Flat white vs latte: which is easier to make?
Both of these espresso drinks require some equipment, but you can make them homemade with great results! They just vary in the level of foam, but it’s very slight. You could argue that the flat white is easier since the milk is stretched less than a latte, but they’re essentially the same amount of effort. See the following recipes:
Types of lattes
Another difference of flat white vs latte: there are endless types of lattes! You don’t hear much about a tea flat white, but there are a whole host of tea lattes to try, including:
- Perfect Tea Latte A latte made with black tea instead of espresso
- London Fog A latte made with Earl Gray tea and lavender
- Chai Latte A latte made with masala chai instead of espresso
- Vegan Chai Latte A dairy-free spin on the chai latte
- Vanilla Chai Latte A vanilla-scented spin on the chai latte
- Dirty Chai Latte The chai latte with an added shot of espresso: both coffee and tea in the same drink!
- Iced Chai Latte (or Iced Latte) Not really a latte since there’s no steamed milk; it’s essentially milky masala chai served over ice
Flat White vs Latte
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
Description
What is a flat white? Here’s all about this espresso drink: how it’s different from a latte, and how to make a flat white at home!
Ingredients
- 2 espresso shots (2 ounces)
- 4 ounces steamed milk
Instructions
- Prep for the flat white: Grind and tamp the espresso, but don’t pull it. Store your milk jug in the refrigerator: the colder the milk is the more time you have to get the right texture. Or, rinse it in very cold water, dry and refrigerate for a few minutes. Fill your milk jug to just below the spout, about ¾ cup, using very fresh whole milk (or oat milk for vegan).
- Make the espresso: Use an espresso machine or manual espresso maker to make two shots of espresso and pour it into a mug (or try our Aeropress Espresso).
- Steaming method (espresso machine): Heat the steam wand. Once prepared, place the wand just below the surface of the milk about ½ inch from the side, tilting the jug slightly. Keep it in that position for about 5 to 10 seconds, stretching the milk by about 20 to 25% in height, with very slight movements up and down. Once stretched and slightly foamy, lower the nozzle about another ½ inch and tilt the pitcher just enough to get a spinning vortex, which incorporates the foam, turning it into a velvety microfoam. Keep that still and spinning until the temperature is about 150 degrees Fahrenheit. (Using a pitcher with a temperature sticker is very helpful.) Turn off the steam before removing the wand from the jug. Wipe the wand with a clean cloth. Turn it on for 1 second to purge the nozzle. Tap and swirl the pitcher to incorporate any bubbles on top. The final texture should look like wet paint or melted ice cream, smooth and velvety. You’ll use only about half of this quantity and can discard the rest (see the * note below).
- OR, heat the milk to scalding and foam it (without espresso machine): Heat the milk to 150 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot to the touch but not simmering. Measure with a food thermometer, or you can approximate by testing with your finger. Use a milk frother, French press or whisk to froth milk into small, even bubbles. For a latte you’ll want small bubbles and lightly thickened milk (if you’re using a milk frother, don’t go too far: you want the milk to mix in with the coffee so you don’t need too much froth**). For the French press method, note that it’s useful to have at least 1 cup to have more milk to work with: this makes enough for 2 drinks. We highly recommend reading How to Froth Milk if this is your first time frothing. Wait 30 seconds to 1 minute to get the foam to incorporate into the milk and separate slightly (exact timing depends on your foaming method).
- Serve: Tap the milk container on counter and swirl it to break down any large bubbles. Pour milk into center of the espresso, ending with light foam.
Notes
*This makes enough for 2 drinks, because it’s easiest to steam a larger quantity of milk. Discard the extra milk. If you have an espresso machine with two espresso taps, you could use this to make another flat white. (The milk becomes less frothy while it sits, so it’s not ideal for waiting to make another espresso.)
**The milk frother works well; for the French press pump vigorously until frothy, about 25 times. Do not overwhip, as the foam will deflate!
- Category: Drink
- Method: Espresso
- Cuisine: Coffee
- Diet: Vegetarian
Keywords: Flat white vs latte
