Updated: September 2026.
A flat white is a coffee drink made with a double espresso (about 2 oz / 60 ml) and steamed milk with silky microfoam, served in a small 5-6 oz (150-180 ml) cup. It was born in Australia and New Zealand in the 1980s. It has more coffee in proportion than a latte and finer foam than a cappuccino, which gives it a stronger flavor and a velvety texture.
In this guide you'll learn exactly what a flat white is, how it differs from a latte and a cappuccino, what defines it and how to make one at home with single-origin Colombian specialty coffee.
Want to make the best flat white at home? You need a quality espresso, and that starts with the bean. Explore our specialty whole bean coffee, roasted to order in Antioquia and ideal for espresso.
What Is the Difference Between a Flat White, a Latte and a Cappuccino?
This is the most common question about the flat white. All three drinks are made with espresso and milk, but the proportions and the texture of the milk completely change the result.
| Feature | Flat white | Latte | Cappuccino |
|---|---|---|---|
| Espresso | Double (2 oz / 60 ml) | Single or double | Single (1 oz / 30 ml) |
| Steamed milk | 4-4.5 oz (120-130 ml) | 7-8 oz (200-240 ml) | 2 oz (60 ml) |
| Foam | Fine microfoam (5 mm) | Light layer (1 cm) | Dense foam (2-3 cm) |
| Cup size | 5-6 oz (150-180 ml) | 8-10 oz (240-300 ml) | 5-6 oz (150-180 ml) |
| Coffee flavor | Strong, present | Mild, diluted | Balanced |
| Texture | Velvety, creamy | Light and milky | Foamy and airy |
| Latte art | Excellent (microfoam) | Good | Limited |
The essential difference between a latte and a flat white lies in the coffee-to-milk ratio and the type of foam. A latte has more milk and a light layer of foam, which dilutes the espresso. A flat white uses less milk and fine microfoam rather than airy foam, so it keeps the coffee's intensity with a silky texture.
Compared with a cappuccino, a flat white uses the same cup size but a different proportion: more liquid milk with microfoam, instead of dense foam that fills a third of the cup. To see every preparation side by side, check our comparison table of coffee brewing methods.
What Defines a Flat White?
A flat white is defined by four features. If one is missing, it isn't a flat white: it's another drink.
- A double espresso base. Two shots, about 2 oz (60 ml), of fresh, undiluted espresso. This base defines the drink's intensity.
- Microfoam, not airy foam. The milk is steamed until the bubbles are so small it looks like paint, nothing like the dry, voluminous foam of a cappuccino.
- A balanced ratio. Roughly 1:2: 2 oz of espresso and 4 oz of milk with microfoam. The coffee is the star, not the milk.
- A small cup. Between 5 and 6 oz (150-180 ml). The size concentrates the flavor and lets you enjoy the texture before it cools.
Sensory characteristics
- Flavor: strong, with the espresso clearly present. The coffee's notes (cocoa, caramel or fruit, depending on the origin) come through in every sip.
- Texture: velvety and creamy. The microfoam feels silky on the tongue, without the sensation of "chewing" foam.
- Temperature: 140-150 °F (60-65 °C). The milk isn't overheated, to keep its sweetness.
- Presentation: precise latte art. Microfoam allows more defined designs than any other milk drink.
How Do You Make a Flat White at Home?
A good flat white requires quality espresso and technique for the microfoam. These are the essential steps:
1. Start with a good specialty coffee
Espresso is the base of every flat white, and an espresso is only as good as its bean. For a milk drink we recommend a coffee with body and natural sweetness that comes through the milk. Natural and honey processes work especially well.
👉 Our pick: Natural Specialty Coffee, with notes of red berries and chocolate that shine when combined with steamed milk.
2. Grind fresh, fine
Espresso needs a fine grind, almost like powder. If you have a grinder, grind just before brewing to preserve the aromatic oils. If not, order your coffee pre-ground and choose the "espresso" or "fine" option.
3. Pull a double espresso
Use 18-20 g of ground coffee to get 36-40 g of espresso in 25-30 seconds. If your machine allows adjustments, aim for a balanced extraction, with body and no bitterness. To master this base, read our guide to espresso.
4. Steam the milk into microfoam
Use cold whole milk. Place the steam wand just below the surface to add air for the first 2-3 seconds; then submerge it a little deeper to create a whirlpool that breaks up the bubbles. Heat to 140-150 °F (60-65 °C). The final texture should look like glossy white paint.
5. Pour with technique
Pour the milk from about 4 inches (10 cm) above the cup until it's half full; then bring the pitcher close to the surface to draw the latte art. The microfoam lasts until the last sip.
Where Does the Flat White Come From?
The origin of the flat white is still debated between Australia and New Zealand. Both countries claim it was created in cafés in Sydney and Wellington during the 1980s, and neither has been able to prove it conclusively.
The drink reached the United Kingdom in the mid-2000s and the United States when Starbucks added it to its menu in 2015. That rise coincided with the global growth of specialty coffee, and today the flat white is the favorite of those who want coffee intensity without giving up the smoothness of milk.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Flat White
What is a flat white?
It's a coffee drink made with a double espresso (about 2 oz / 60 ml) and steamed milk with fine microfoam, served in a small 5-6 oz cup. It has a stronger coffee flavor than a latte and a silkier texture than a cappuccino.
What is the difference between a flat white and a latte?
A flat white uses less milk (about 4 oz, versus 7-8 oz in a latte) and fine microfoam instead of airy foam. The result is a drink with a stronger coffee flavor and a more velvety texture. A latte is milder, larger and milkier.
How much caffeine is in a flat white?
About 130 mg, from the double espresso. It's similar to a double latte and more than a single cappuccino. The amount of milk doesn't change the caffeine, only how diluted the flavor is.
Can you make a flat white without an espresso machine?
Yes, although the result changes. You can use a moka pot for a concentrated, espresso-like base and a handheld frother for the milk. It won't be identical to a machine-made one, but it gets very close to the flat white profile.
Which coffee is best for a flat white?
A specialty coffee with body, natural sweetness and notes that come through the milk. Natural (red berries, chocolate) and honey (honey, peach, spices) processes work especially well. Use freshly roasted beans and grind them just before brewing.
Which milk is best for a flat white?
Whole milk is the classic choice, because its fat creates a stable, creamy microfoam. Oat milk is the best plant-based alternative, thanks to its texture and natural sweetness. Almond and soy milk also work, but with less consistent results.
Does a flat white have sugar?
Traditionally, no. A good flat white is enjoyed without sugar, to appreciate the natural sweetness of the coffee and the steamed milk, which becomes sweeter when heated. If you need to sweeten it, a small amount is enough.
Make Your Flat White with Specialty Coffee
The perfect flat white starts with the perfect coffee. At Green Hills Coffee we roast specialty coffee from Hacienda Las Mercedes (Ciudad Bolívar, Antioquia, 5,900 ft / 1,800 m) in small batches and ship it throughout Colombia.
- Natural Coffee: red berries, wild strawberry and chocolate. Our pick for a flat white thanks to its body and fruity sweetness. From COP 42,000.
- Honey Coffee: honey, peach and spices. Excellent for milk drinks with sweet notes. From COP 36,750.
- Tradition Coffee (washed): tangerine, caramel and floral hints. The balanced classic, ideal if you drink several flat whites a day. From COP 31,500.
No grinder at home? Choose a fine grind when you order from our ground coffee collection. Prefer to grind fresh? See our whole bean coffee.
🎯 Explore all our specialty coffees →
Written by the Green Hills Coffee team, specialty coffee growers and roasters in Itagüí, Antioquia. Prices valid as of September 2026.
