Are you ready to try a new coffee today? Look no further and try out the recipe for a flat white. I will start by answering some questions about the coffee itself and will continue with the recipe.
The recipe for making a flat white at home is really easy to follow, and I think you will really appreciate the flavors that this coffee has to offer.
Also, would you like to know what a flat white is and how it differs from a latte? Read along to find out!
What is a flat white?
Did you notice a random coffee you had not heard of before the last time you were at your favorite coffee bar? A flat white? I will tell you everything there is to know about the flat white and what makes it so different from other coffees out there.
A flat white coffee is a coffee made with espresso and added microfoam milk. The microfoam milk will give this drink its silky consistency it is known for. The added foamy milk will let the shot of espresso dominate the flavors in the cup of coffee.
What is this “microfoam” you are talking about? Let me explain. The milk used to make a flat white is steamed milk. When steaming the milk, you are looking to add as many tiny air bubbles as possible. This is called microfoam; it’s the key ingredient to making the best flat white at home.
What is the difference between a flat white and a latte?
I just explained what microfoam is and how to make it. This microfoam is what makes the difference between a flat white and a latte.
When making a latte, you are building layers. One layer of espresso, one layer of steamed milk and added on top is a layer of foamed milk (about two fingers thick)
You can make all kinds of variants with a latte, like a caramel latte, pumpkin spice latte, latte with hazelnut, blueberry, and the list goes on.
For me, to give it that special feeling, I like to use a ceramic cup for this recipe. Of course, you can use any cup you have at home. But these cups are amazing.
Most of the time, the flat white is served as is. Some people like to add a bit of sugar to it, but that is about it.
The flat white is a bit easier to make and exists of one layer of espresso and a layer of microfoam or so-called velvet milk. That’s all you need for this recipe. So, let’s get into the making of this delicious coffee.
What do you need to make a flat white at home?
To make a flat white at home, you will need milk or a milk substitute and your favorite espresso. You also want a nice cup to present your coffee in.
I used 2% fat milk for my flat white. You can always change this up to another kind of milk or a dairy-free kind. There are all kinds of variants to dairy-free milk like oat milk, almond milk, coconut milk, and so many others!
The first time I ordered a flat white when traveling, I drank it with oat milk, and it was absolutely delicious. It’s a perfect alternative for when you don’t feel like drinking too much milk or if you can’t drink milk.
How to make a flat white at home
If you have an espresso machine with a milk steamer attached, you are in for some fun. Although most of us don’t have an espresso machine at home, you will be able to make this coffee.
- I used the Nespresso milk attachment to make the microfoam for my flat white. Just press the button for hot milk and wait till it’s done.
- Swirl around the milk in its container. This will get rid of the big bubbles that have formed. Alternatively, you can scoop off most of the bigger bubbles and use this for another coffee. You only want to little foam bubbles for the flat white.
- Start by pouring one of your espressos into your favorite cup.
- Next up is the second espresso (skip this step when you have made a doppio).
- Pour the milk into your espresso, and enjoy it!
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It will not be the same as making the microfoam with a steamer, but you will be able to try this recipe out at home. Now, the next time you are at your favorite coffee bar, you will know what a flat white is all about, and you can order it like a boss!
Flat White Coffee Recipe
The easiest flat white recipe you have ever made, learn how to make this delicious espresso-based drink.
Ingredients
- 75 grams of milk (or milk substitute)
- 2 shots of espresso, you can also use a double espresso shot (doppio)
Instructions
- Start by brewing your espressos. You can pull two single espressos or a doppio for this recipe.
- Next up is steaming your milk. You can use the steaming wand on your espresso machine if you have one at home.
- Alternatively, you can use the Nespresso attachment for steaming milk.
- You want only the small velvety milk bubbles for topping off your flat white.
- Once the milk and espresso shots are ready, grab yourself a nice cup and pour the espresso in first.
- Then slowly pour the milk on top of your espresso. You can make some latte art when you are feeling fancy.
- That's it, now all there is to do is enjoy the coffee.
Notes
A doppio is a double espresso shot, which is perfect for this recipe. A doppio uses the same amount of coffee beans as a single shot. But extracts two, single espresso. This way, the flavors will be a bit less intense. You can also use two single espresso shots when you need a high caffeinated drink.
The number of calories can differ when you are using more (or less) milk. Or when you are adding a milk substitute to your flat white instead of milk.
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Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 34
What does a flat white taste like?
Flat white tastes like the most creamy – yet textured cup of joe you have ever had. The microfoam helps the espresso get to the foreground even more. The espresso really shines in the flat white.
When comparing the flat white to a latte, you will notice a significant difference in the milk texture; the microfoam is a little more drinkable. The last bit of foamed milk that is on top of my latte always seems to stay behind in the glass all the time.
Of course, this can just be my drinking experience, but I enjoy a flat white a bit better because there isn’t any thick foam on top of it.
When you use a great, full-bodied coffee bean, you will likely get as excited as me on this recipe. It’s just amazing, and this comes from someone who doesn’t like to drink coffee with milk in it very often.
Which coffee beans are right for this coffee?
To make the perfect flat white at home, you want to use a medium roasted coffee bean. I like to use a coffee bean from Ethiopia for the flat white, which has a creamy taste to it, which will bring out the taste of the whole coffee and bring the coffee to life even more.
Alternatively, you can try this recipe by using other coffee beans. The fun thing about making coffee at home is that you can choose everything, from bean to the cup you like to use.
I have tried making the flat white while using a dark roasted coffee to make my espresso, but the flavor of the coffee is just a bit overpowering then. The best flat white is subtle in taste, and you need to taste both the coffee and the milk in it. Neither of the two should overrule the other.
But, don’t be scared to go on Your Dream Coffee journey and see where it brings you!
Conclusion
There you have it—all the information you need to make a delicious flat white at home. For me, it is a perfect alternative to my French press coffee addiction, and it’s just a bit more fun to drink sometimes. So this is my go-to when ordering a milk-based coffee at my favorite coffee bar.
Are you going to try out the recipe? Let me know by leaving a comment down below. If you have any other questions regarding coffee, you can also contact me directly by pressing the “Contact Me” button at the top!
Have a great day, and keep drinking coffee! Also, if you’re interested in trying more coffee recipes, you can check them out below.
The private Facebook group is an amazing community of coffee lovers to discuss coffee recipes and trends, ask questions and collaborate. Check out the group on Facebook!