Flat White
Overview
Make it with us
Espresso · Flat White
Behind every step
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Start here
1Espresso
0:0518 g in · 36 g out · 93 °C
See the steps
- Weigh beans — Weigh out the beans — fresh, not pre-ground.
- Grind — Grind fine, straight into the portafilter.
- Distribute — Distribute the grounds level in the basket.
- Tamp — Tamp level — one confident press.
- Pull the shot — Aim for ~36 g out in 25–30 s. Stop on blond.
- Enjoy — Drink it now — crema and all.
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2Steam milk
0:20The flat white lives or dies on microfoam: barely stretch the milk, then roll it until it looks like wet paint. It should pour like cream, not sit like foam.
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3Pour milk
0:10The pour decides where the foam lands. Start high and slow so the milk dives under the crema and the cup fills evenly, then drop the pitcher low and close — that is what lets the white foam float to the top. A steady, unhurried pour keeps the layers silky instead of streaky.
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4Enjoy
0:10Coffee keeps changing as it cools: aromatics fade, acidity sharpens and sweetness comes forward. Drink it soon after brewing, and taste it as it drops in temperature — that's how you learn what to adjust next time.
What a Flat White is
The Flat White is built on Espresso: 18 g of coffee, brewed at 93 °C. The Flat White takes 160 ml of steamed milk. The Flat White's milk is steamed to about 58 °C.
Flat White — frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the Flat White and the Americano?
Both start from the same Espresso. The Flat White takes 160 ml of steamed milk; the Americano takes 150 g of hot water.
What's the difference between the Flat White and the Cappuccino?
Both start from the same Espresso. The Flat White takes 160 ml of steamed milk; the Cappuccino takes 150 ml of steamed milk.
What's the difference between the Flat White and the Cortado?
Both start from the same Espresso. The Flat White takes 160 ml of steamed milk; the Cortado takes 60 ml of steamed milk.
What's the difference between the Flat White and the Iced Americano?
Both start from the same Espresso. The Flat White takes 160 ml of steamed milk; the Iced Americano takes 120 g of cold water over ice.
What's the difference between the Flat White and the Latte?
Both start from the same Espresso. The Flat White takes 160 ml of steamed milk; the Latte takes 220 ml of steamed milk.
What's the difference between the Flat White and the Long Black?
Both start from the same Espresso. The Flat White takes 160 ml of steamed milk; the Long Black takes 110 g of hot water.
What's the difference between the Flat White and the Macchiato?
Both start from the same Espresso. The Flat White takes 160 ml of steamed milk; the Macchiato takes 40 ml of steamed milk.
What's the difference between the Flat White and the Mocha?
Both start from the same Espresso. The Flat White takes 160 ml of steamed milk; the Mocha takes 180 ml of steamed milk.
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