Choosing between different types of coffee is a challenging task for many of us. For example, as the two popular types of coffee, evaluating latte vs. flat white is not easy for novices.
They are both popular and give a unique fresh coffee drink. But for sure, there are differences to notice, and learning about them will give you as a coffee lover a better insight into their special properties.
Actually, with the artistry of baristas, we can enjoy both of them! But, to better understand the differences between popular types of coffee, it seems to be a good idea to compare flat white vs. latte.
In worth mentioning, that we all love to have a perfect cup of coffee and by having different preferences and palettes we may prefer to have one or several types of coffee. But, what do you think about a latte or a flat white? Can you decide how to choose between them?
Let’s discuss about popular types of coffee a bit more:
Contents
differences between coffees
Some people may put different types of coffee in two categories: black coffee and other types of coffee.
But, coffees are more varied than novices think.
We cannot just say that espressos, cappuccino, latte and flat white are all in the same category.
For this reason, you need to compare them with each other.
Let’s begin with Flat white and Latte:
Flat white
It is a type of popular coffee that is from New Zealand and Australia. Flat white simply consists of milk and espresso. You can enjoy it in a small cup as a fresh drink!
If you want to have a creamy and flavorful coffee, you can make or order a flat white. It is not too sweet and can be considered a perfect combination of mild sweetness and creamy texture.
How to make a flat white
To make flat white, you need to brew some espresso and then you need to add steamed milk to it.
The milk has to be (or is better to be) in microfoam form. It means you need to use some aerated milk with a velvety texture.
Where Does Flat White Come From?
At the end of World War II, Italian coffee culture and English tea culture merged as many of them immigrated to Australia in hopes of a new season in life. New coffee drinks quickly emerged, such as today’s flat white coffee. The term ‘flat white’ first appeared in the 1980s in Australia and rapidly spread worldwide. Flat white coffee achieved success in 2010 with its inclusion in the menu of the famous Starbucks coffee chain.
Latte
Like flat white, a latte is made by using espresso. We also use milk and foam to prepare a latte. You may ask what’s the difference?
That is exactly what we want to describe here. Just let us explain the latte a bit more.
Latte is the most popular coffee consumed by Americans. You may serve latte in a bigger cup with around 20 ounces capacity.
- Why a bigger cup?
Because the latte has more milk and therefore is less strong than flat white. In other words, a latte is milkier.
So, you have to serve them in different volumes.
In the following, we want to mention the differences between flat white and latte:
Different uses of milk
To make a latte, you can use different types of milk, but to prepare flat white you need to use micro-foam milk which has a foamy texture. It is aerated and has a thick texture. Therefore, it’s denser than what we have as steamed milk.
Remember to have a foamy texture in milk, it is necessary to use devices like an espresso machine or steam wand. because they have built-in foaming tools.
A steam wand adds air to the milk by using heat and pressure. It increases milk volume and will make it lighter.
To prepare a latte, you may use ingredients like steamed milk, microfoam, and frothed milk.
Here is the way some baristas prepare latte:
To have a creamy texture, they add steamed milk to the espresso.
Then, they add frothed milk on top of the mixture.
Finally, by using a steam wand, they increase the volume of the drink. At the end, you have a creamy coffee with a great flavor and foam on top of it.
But it seems that no one agrees on the difference between a latte and a flat white. Some cafes say the difference is in the size, while some shops say it’s the coffee content that varies. There are various arguments on this matter. However, the main difference between a latte and a flat white is that a flat white has less milk and less foam compared to a latte. A flat white is made with simple, velvety milk. Lattes are typically served in a glass, whereas flat whites are usually served in ceramic.
Different foams, patterns, and color
Flat white does not have art. It is simply made from microfoam. Therefore, this coffee cannot produce the kind of foam that we have in latte.
In other words, a flat white is not complicated.
But, when you want to prepare a latte, we need to be artful to become successful in making coffee with the best color and flavor.
At the end, baristas can serve coffee with a pattern on top of the drink.
Therefore, while you can have intricate patterns on top of latte, you will not see any pattern on top of flat white.
In fact, frothed milk has a unique structure. For this reason, it can hold the form.
Remember that micro foam is less stable. Therefore, when you pour some micro foam on top of flat white, it sinks into the drink.
Difference in flavor and appearance
Flat white has less milk. It is the main reason for having a stronger flavor.
Having less milk also means that flat white is more similar to espresso than latte.
Using micro foam also allows to maintain espresso flavor more than what we have when we use steamed milk.
In this process, by adding the air, you will increase the volume. Then, the micro foam rises on top of coffee and finally a velvety texture!
That’s why some people consider flat white as a unique drink which has a different appearance and signature texture. Generally, you can drink your coffee while there is some kind of pattern on top of it.
Latte vs flat white: size
Another important difference is the size of your cup. It is quite simple to see and understand why we have different sizes.
Latte cups are larger. Because, we have more milk in this drink.
It worth mentioning that 10 oz is a standard amount of milk for latte. While, for the flat white, we may use 6 oz.
Of course, there are exceptions based on your palette and preferences. It worth mentioning some cafes may prepare their drink with more milk. Others, may use less.
Different price
It is important to note that the amount of milk that each coffee accommodates and serving size are the main reasons for lattes to be more expensive in cafes.
Another difference is the difference between the amount of money you need to pay for each drink.
Different texture
Latte isn’t as smooth as flat white. Why?
Because, flat white has a velvety texture that comes from micro foam milks.
On the other hand, latte is made from several types of steamed, micro foam, and frothed milk. Therefore, by mixing them, you do not have many microscopic bubbles in your drink which leads to a thinner drink.
So, what is a Flat White, and who is it recommended for?
Most often, a Flat White is a double espresso combined with steamed milk and served in a cappuccino cup or a glass.
It’s a good option for those seeking a creamy coffee with a strong espresso flavor and a moderate amount of steamed milk. The Flat White is ideal for individuals who want to consume less milk and is also a great choice for those looking to make it with plant-based milk alternatives, as it currently has less milk as the standard and is predominantly coffee-focused.
What is healthier flat white or latte?
Both drinks use espresso as a base for their preparation process. They are also made by the milk and topped with foam. Therefore, even they have differences, they can be considered approximately in the same level as a healthy drink.
Of course, it is important to consider the size of your cup or the amount of fat and calories you receive in each serving. So, depend on the case and your health condition the answers will be different to this question.
What is stronger flat whit or latte?
Perhaps, when you want to compare latte vs flat white, it is important to consider the flavor of them and know which one is stronger.
Flat white usually focuses on the flavor. By using strong espresso and balancing it with milk, baristas can balance the flavor and make a stronger coffee.
In other word, as flat white is made by using micro foam milks, it is stronger than latte.
As you know, steamed milk will make the espresso dilute, so, you will lose its strong flavor.
In a quantitative point of view, latte has up to more than 70 percent milk more than flat white, therefore, its flavor is always milder.
Also, flat white is not as sweet as latte. Because, it does not have sugar or syrup.
Remember while flat white is stronger than latte and it’s also bolder, but still espresso is stronger than both of them.
Therefore, if you prefer to have intense drinks, perhaps you can try ristretto or Americano as the best drinks.
What has more calories a latte or flat white?
Latte has more calories than flat white. Why? It’s simple. The milk is the main reason for having more calories in latte.
In a quantitative point of view, a flat white can just have around 100 to 120 calories.
Is flat white good for diet?
Some experts consider flat white as a good option for diet. It has around one hundred to one hundred and twenty calories and contains 6 to 7 grams of fat.
Of course, based on the amount and type of milk you use for preparation, the amount of calories and fats can be different.
But, as a whole flat white is a good for diet.
