Coffee is one of the most loved beverages of all time. Either it’s hot coffee or iced coffee, everyone loves drinking coffee. A coffee lover knows the various types of coffee served in restaurants.
Such two types of espresso coffees which are mostly served are Flat white and Latte.
They both have different origins and different flavours. They are widely loved all over the world. Although they both are espressos, there is a great difference between them.
Key Takeaways
- Flat white is made by mixing a shot of espresso with steamed milk, while latte is made by mixing a shot of espresso with steamed milk and a small amount of foam.
- Flat white has a higher proportion of espresso to milk than a latte.
- Flat white has a stronger coffee taste than a latte.
Flat White vs Latte
Flat white coffee is made with less steamed milk and more coffee. It has a small serving and contains a lot of coffee. Latte contains more milk and less coffee. It can be served as both hot and iced coffee. It is composed of one or two espresso shots with a thin-layer of milk on top.
Flat White has been originated in Australia and is a very velvety and smooth textured espresso that has a very distinct technique used to make it. They contain many strong coffee flavours and bring out the more natural flavours.
It has less serving than a latte, but it has more coffee in it and thus is a heavy drinker.
Originating from America, Latte is an espresso that has more amount of milk and is very easy to make at home. It comes both as hot coffee or iced coffee. It is loved by all and used at any time of the year.
They are very versatile and can have many flavours in them.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Flat White | Latte |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Flat white is a coffee that is served in a cup of 150 ml to 180 ml. | Latte is coffee is served in a cup of 240 ml. |
| Milk-to-Coffee Ratio | Served with a layer of microfoam, a double shot of espresso, and 2/3 steamed milk. | Served with 2/3 steamed milk (170 – 225 ml), 1 cm foam, and a double shot of ⅓ espresso. |
| Origin | It has been originated in Australia. | It has been originated in America |
| Ease of making | At home, making Flat white is not so much easy, but it is possible. | Latte is very easy to make at home, and you need only an espresso machine or a Moka pot. |
| Texture | In texture, a flat white is a very smooth, velvety, and glossy finish with the use of microfoam at the top and strong flavours. | Latte is simple, and more milk is used, the thin layer of foamed milk is added on the top, with less strong flavours. |
What is Flat White?
First created by Australians, Flat white is popular across the world for its velvety and glossy texture. It is similar to the latte with the difference that there is less amount of steamed milk present in the coffee.
These contain the same amount of espresso but have stronger flavours of coffee in them.
The technique of making flat white is a little different, and a thin layer of microfoam is placed on top of it. Microfoam is aerated steamed milk that becomes dense and forms bubbles.
Then it is poured into the coffee on the top and in various shapes also, which makes them special from normal coffee. Everyone around the world adores this microform top.
What is Latte?
A blend of bold espresso and steamed milk coffee that originated from America is known as Latte. Latte is loved and drank everywhere in the world and at any time of the year.
Latte is a versatile coffee that consists of more amount of steamed milk and class espresso with a twist of a layer of foam on the top of it.
Served with a lot of flavours, Latte can be iced or hot coffee. At home, Latte can be made easily as they need only an espresso machine, or these days latte machines are also available.
It is served mostly in a bigger cup of 240 ml. It contains little fewer flavours of coffee as Latte has more amount of milk, and a thin layer of foamed milk (5 mm) thick is placed on top of it.
Main Differences Between Flat White and Latte
- Flat white is an espresso that is served in a small cup of 150 ml to 180 ml, whereas Latte is an espresso that is served in a big cup of size 200-240 ml.
- Flat white is strong in flavour because of the presence of less milk, whereas Latte has more amount of milk in it and thus does not have such strong flavours.
- Flat white is of velvety and smooth texture, whereas Latte is warm with a thin layer of foamed milk on top of it.
- Flat white is not easy to make at home as it involves a different technique and microfoam used on it, whereas Latte is very easy to make at home and just needs an espresso machine.
- Flat white has its origin in Australia, whereas Latte has its origin in America.
- https://ojs.aut.ac.nz/hospitality-insights/article/view/92
- https://digitalcommons.olivet.edu/scholar_week_events/2018/April16/9/
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
I’ve put so much effort writing this blog post to provide value to you. It’ll be very helpful for me, if you consider sharing it on social media or with your friends/family. SHARING IS ♥️
Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
I appreciate the detailed comparison table, it makes it easier to understand the variations between flat white and latte. It’s amazing how both types of coffee have their unique origins and textures.
I’ve always been a latte enthusiast, but now I’m intrigued by what flat white has to offer. The in-depth descriptions in this article have made me contemplate exploring more coffee options.
The discussion about the origins and distinct textures of these coffee beverages is stimulating. I’m intrigued by the process of creating microfoam for flat white and how it adds to the overall experience.
I’m a big fan of coffee, and this article has now made me more curious about giving flat white a try. The description of its velvety finish and strong flavors is quite enticing.
I personally prefer the larger serving and rich milk-to-coffee ratio of a latte. The layer of foam on top of it also adds a nice touch. Thanks for explaining the differences so thoroughly.
I’m not a coffee drinker myself, but I found this post to be very well explained in depth. I may consider trying flat white just to see if I can taste the difference in the flavors.
The origin stories of flat white and latte are quite interesting. It’s amazing to see how these beverages have gained popularity and adapted with different flavors across different regions.
Very informative article about the differences between flat white and latte. It’s great to know the origins and flavors of these two popular coffee drinks.