Flat White: Tips & Tricks for Preparation
As a coffee lover, you have probably already heard of the Flat White. The creation is particularly popular in the coffee scene - but in everyday life it is often confused with the cappuccino. In addition, there are different ways of preparing it around the world, because in some countries it is served foamy, in others do not.
You see: There is a lot to know about the Flat White. We will introduce you to this delicious coffee speciality in more detail in this article. You will learn what a Flat White is, how it differs from a Cappuccino and what you should consider when preparing it. should pay attention to.
What is the difference to a cappuccino?
A flat white contains more coffee than a cappuccino and has a finer foam.
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What is important when preparing a flat white?
The consistency of the milk foam is crucial for preparing a flat white.
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What equipment do I need for preparation?
To prepare your flat white, you need coffee beans, a scale, a milk frother and an espresso machine.
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What is a Flat White?
Would you like to make a flat white? Then you should first consider what makes this delicious drink so special. A flat white consists of two components.
One is a ristretto, i.e. a strong espresso. However, the flat white is often prepared with a double espresso instead of a ristretto. Which version you prefer is entirely up to you.
Secondly, a flat white requires milk foam. However, the milk is not whipped into a firm foam, but remains lighter and finer, which is ideal for latte art. This type of milk foam is used by many baristas to paint small works of art into the foam.
This thin and more liquid layer of foam is said to be the reason for the name of Flat White coffee: the drink is much flatter than other coffee specialties and therefore does not protrude over the edge of the cup (like a cappuccino).
The Flat White has its origins in Australia
As a coffee lover, you are certainly not only interested in the taste of a drink, but also in its history. The flat white is a coffee specialty that originated in Australia. After the Second World War, many Italians and English people emigrated to Australia and brought their culture with them. Many immigrants opened small cafés where they offered coffee specialties. However, the English did not know what cappuccino was at the time and prepared it in a similar way to their tea. This gave rise to the flat white, which has been refined over the years and is now popular worldwide.
What is the difference to a cappuccino?
Espresso and milk foam – the components of a flat white will certainly remind you of a cappuccino. There are small but subtle differences between the two specialties. With flat white vs. cappuccino, there are differences in the amount of coffee and milk.
In a cappuccino, two parts of milk foam are added to an espresso. The foam often extends over the edge of the cup.
However, things are different with the Flat White: You prepare a Ristretto or double espresso. The milk foam is frothed much more fluidly and ends up under the rim of the cup.
This means that a flat white contains more coffee than a cappuccino. If you are a coffee enthusiast, you should try both preparations and pay particular attention to the small differences in taste.
What is important when preparing a flat white?
Have we whetted your appetite for a flat white? If you want to prepare this coffee specialty, there are a few things to consider.
First, you have to decide whether to prepare your flat white with a ristretto or a double espresso. You can also prepare both versions and then decide which one you like better. A ristretto tastes more intense than an espresso because of the smaller amount of water. For both versions, you should make sure to use high-quality coffee beans.
Next, you turn your attention to the milk. For a fine-pored milk foam, it is best to use whole milk with 3.8% fat. Milk with 3 to 4% fat is best for obtaining a fine-pored and shiny foam.
However, remember that the foam should not be too stable for the flat white. Only a little air is added to the milk. The foam should still be almost liquid so that it can combine wonderfully with the espresso. Even for an experienced barista, this type of preparation can be a challenge, because the perfect consistency of the foam for a flat white is a great art.
Important tip: Prepare the milk first and then the Ristretto/Espresso
To enjoy your flat white to the fullest, you should first froth the milk. Then you should turn your attention to the ristretto or espresso. Due to the small amount, this would cool down beforehand and would then no longer be at the ideal temperature for great enjoyment. Therefore, try to achieve the perfect consistency of the milk and then brew the ristretto or espresso: this will give you the best possible taste experience.
What equipment do I need for preparation?
To prepare a flat white, you need a lot of equipment. First of all, the right coffee beans for the espresso are crucial: they should be high quality and particularly tasty. Then there is the question of how you grind the beans.
You can use an espresso machine that prepares the espresso for you. Alternatively, you can prepare the espresso or ristretto yourself without a machine. This is more time-consuming, but for many coffee lovers it offers a better taste. To grind the coffee yourself, you will need a coffee scale and a coffee grinder, among other things.
You also need milk for the perfect foam. If you want to froth milk, it should be warmed up. However, it should not be warmer than 60 degrees, as this is when the proteins in it foam best.
Many coffee lovers prefer to grind their coffee beans themselves to get the best possible taste. At Coffee Annan you will find the equipment you need.
Discover the high-quality espresso from Coffee Annan
Are you looking for specialty coffee to prepare a flat white full of flavors? With us you will find the right coffee beans for this. Our Uganda Espresso Roast impresses with its intense flavors of chocolate, figs and marzipan.
It is grown in Uganda at 1,500 to 2,100 meters above sea level and has a medium to dark roast. The soil in Uganda is extremely nutrient-rich and is therefore ideal for growing coffee. Some of the best coffee in the world grows in Uganda.
This makes the Uganda Espresso Roast an excellent choice for preparing an espresso or ristretto for your flat white. It is ideal for preparing in portafilter machines, filter machines or in the AeroPress.
If you buy your coffee beans from Coffee Annan, you are choosing a particularly high-quality product. At the same time, you are supporting us in our important mission: We have our coffee roasted directly in the countries where it is grown. This ensures that the money is distributed fairly along the entire value chain.
Coffee almost always leaves the country where it is grown as raw material - we want to change that and therefore roast directly in the country where it is grown. This means that a large part of the profit remains where the coffee is produced and not where it is consumed.
Frequently asked questions about preparing a flat white
In direct comparison, the flat white is much stronger than a cappuccino. This is because the flat white is made with a double espresso or ristretto and contains less milk. A cappuccino, on the other hand, is made with just one espresso and more milk. This makes it milder than the stronger flat white.
It is up to you whether you stir the flat white before drinking it. As a coffee lover, you develop preferences over time as to how you like to drink your coffee specialties. With the flat white, it is often decorated with attractive latte art, which disappears when you stir it.
A good flat white is characterized by the perfect consistency of the milk. It should not lie on top of the espresso as a foam cap, but should combine with the espresso thanks to its fine pores. The right ratio of espresso to milk is also crucial for the flat white.
Conclusion: Prepare your Flat White and let the aromas convince you
The Flat White: A coffee specialty that requires a lot of experience to prepare. This is exactly why the drink is so popular with many coffee lovers. The fine foam combines easily with the espresso and ensures excellent flavor notes. We recommend using the high-quality coffee beans from Coffee Annan. They not only offer you an intense flavor, but also support fair conditions in the country where they are grown.