Flat White vs. Latte: What’s The Difference?

What’s in a Flat White

First, let’s talk about what each drink is made up of. Unlike most drinks, the difference between these two drinks is not the coffee but the milk. Flat white and Lattes are actually both made with espresso, so each uses espresso and milk to make their creamy concoction. The difference, however, is how the milk is used in each drink. With a flat white, the milk is frothed into microfoam, one of the three styles of milk frothing. 

Microfoam from milk is the small bubbles in drinks. The other two common versions of milk in coffee are hot milk that settles in the bottom of the drink and stiff froth which are the larger bubbles in drinks. Each of these consistencies brings a different flavor to the drink and result in a latte or flat white or even another style of drink. 

Flat white’s made properly are a rare commodity because it all depends on the way the barista pours the milk. Unless you have a knowledgeable and gifted barista, you might struggle to find the true flat white you crave. You could get away with simply pouring the milk in, but the microfoam will almost always be overshadowed by the drink and two other types of milk consistencies. 

An easy tell if a drink is a flat white or latte is to look for the art on the top of the drink. More than likely, art signifies a flat white or at least another style of drink than a latte, which doesn’t use froth at all. 

What’s in a Latte

Contradicting a flat white, a latte is espresso mixed with the hot milk that settles at the bottom of the drink. If foam is not your friend, a latte is a perfect option for you. Lattes are much easier to make and have a wildly different flavor when properly prepared than a flat white. 

Lattes also are growing in popularity as a cold coffee beverage. Unlike flat whites, making a cold latte is easy to transition into and adds versatility. Lattes also are able to use oat milk, almond milk, or other substitutes easily without dramatically changing the makeup of the drink. 

How to Make Them

As we touched on a bit, lattes and flat whites are relatively the same when it comes to ingredients, so how do you make each of them? First, you will need espresso beans, an espresso machine, and milk (lattes can use milk substitutes). You will also need a milk frother for a flat white, which come with espresso machines often. 

For a latte it’s simple. Add some espresso grounds, or a pod depending on the type of espresso machine, add milk and a flavor of your choice and voila! For hot lattes, you will want hot milk to prevent the despised lukewarm coffee. For cold lattes, simply wait for the espresso to cool down,  add the milk, and you’re all set. 

For a flat white, you’ll need some patience and practice. Like lattes, Add some espresso ground or a pod to your espresso machine, grab some milk, but use the frother this go around. Turning milk into microfoam is the art of folding and pouring the milk. It’s also important to perfect the milk frothing. Most people suggest keeping the frother at the tip of the cup to give the best results. Learn your personal milk frother and play around until you find your groove. 

Bonus Drink

Since we are already on the subject, the third drink of the pair that used the last option of milk is a cappuccino, which uses those large bubbles we talked about earlier also known as stiff froth. This drink is also a hot drink like a flat white but takes a spoonful of stiff froth poured on top of the espresso to create the beverage. Stiff froth also takes some practice, but imagine how impressed your friends and family will be when you can make three very different beverages with the same ingredients!

Tips and Tricks

We couldn’t let you go without adding our favorite tips and tricks to the mix. Like we spoke about earlier, lattes are great options for dairy-free coffee enthusiasts. Now the type of milk substitute can make a world of difference. If you like a sweeter latte, oat milk is your new BFF. If you want the closest taste to regular milk, almond milk may be your best option. There is also coconut milk and even soy milk that might be your perfect fit. 

Another trick for flat whites that can be a fun option for parties or events is adding food coloring to the milk before frothing! Imagine green flat white for St Patty’s or orange for Halloween! Regardless, we hope you enjoy exploring the new beverages and never worry about mistaking the two again.