The main focus of the following text is the definition and recipes of flat white coffee, its characteristic features, and its benefits. Moreover, we will dwell on recipe variations and ways to serve flat white coffee.
In fact, this particular type of coffee became really popular only recently. According to Wikipedia's article titled "Flat White", it has been served since the 2000s in a small number of cafés in New Zealand and Australia but it did not become a general trend until 2009/2010. In general, it can be said that Flat White Coffee belongs to the category "third wave". We should also mention that Flat White Coffee can differ from one café or restaurant to another within certain limits because there are no strict rules for making it. However, each establishment has its own recipe and the coffee is usually served in a specific cup.
Let's get back to the definition of this type of coffee: we can say that Flat White Coffee has no foam which makes it different from other coffees such as cappuccino or latte macchiato. In brief, it is made of two espresso shots topped with steamed whole milk without any foam. The color of flat white coffee lies somewhere between black and milky brown. It should be noted that the 1/3 to 2/3 ratio (of proportion between milk and Espresso) goes well in case you want to prepare Flat White Coffee at home. Of course, if you go to a café or restaurant, you should order your drink according to their recipe.
As mentioned above, there are no strict rules for making Flat White Coffee. This is why its preparation differs from one café or restaurant to another. However, this type of coffee can be made by the following sequence of actions which indicate that it is not complicated at all:
First, you will need to heat milk, and then add espresso shot(s), and finally pour steamed milk on top. As a rule, 1/3 to 2/3 ratio goes well in case you want to prepare the drink by yourself. That's all about how to make Flat White Coffee! Now let's get back to other issues related to it such as cups in which it can be served and variations of its recipe. Well, Flat White Coffee can be served in special cups (known as "tulip" or "Australian" coffee cups). It is worth mentioning that this particular type of coffee is made only with whole milk. This means it cannot be prepared with other types of milk because their consistency does not allow the creation of appropriate foam on top. On the other hand, if you want to prepare flat white coffee at home, you will need semi-skimmed/semi-fat/two percent fat milk for best results.
The taste of Flat White Coffee really deserves attention because it consists of flavors typical for Espresso and Milk - two ingredients that are joined harmonically without any additional additives, just like Cappuccino or Latte Macchiato. At the same time, flat white coffee is lighter in taste than both of them and it has a subtle mix of flavors that can be compared to "cappuccino without milk".
The following section of the article will focus on 5 detailed variations that can be found in recipes for this particular type of coffee:
Variation 1. In this case, Flat White Coffee is made of one Espresso shot topped with two tablespoons of hot milk which have been heated to 120-130 degrees Fahrenheit. At the same time, you can add sugar or vanilla for a better taste and appearance (in the plain form it looks like milky coffee).
Variation 2: For preparation, you will need one Espresso shot, 175 ml (6 oz) of slightly warm whole milk, and some chocolate powder on top. The latter plays the role of food coloring because flat white coffee should look like "cappuccino without foam". You should add both ingredients into your cup in such a way that it would be possible to mix them easily. Then stir well, add sugar in the same way and enjoy your yummy drink!
Variation 3: This recipe can be called coffee for lovers because it consists of two shots of Espresso (it is important to remember that they should not be hot) topped with 6 oz of cold milk. It is very easy to prepare this particular variation if you follow these simple steps: take cold whole milk, pour it into your cup and add one shot of Espresso. Then stir everything together using a spoon or mixer so that all ingredients are well combined. You will get a creamy beverage at the end which tastes great!
Variation 4: If you want flat white coffee with foam, you should pay attention to this recipe. For its preparation, you need 2/3 cup of cold whole milk, 1/3 cup of cold cream, and one Espresso shot (it also can be served with two shots but it will be less creamy). At the same time, you should put everything in a blender to make foam. Add sugar if you like the sweet taste; alternatively use honey.
Variation 5: If you are looking for flat white coffee without milk or cream, this recipe is just what your doctor ordered! It consists of one Espresso shot (taken directly into the glass) topped with a single portion of freshly brewed hot water. You can enjoy your drink after adding any type of sugar to it (or other ingredients that help to create a tasty mixture).
To sum up, there are currently many different recipes of flat white coffee that differ compared to "classic" variations of it. As already mentioned above, the main advantage of flat white coffee is its taste which is really delicious and unusual at the same time! There are also various ways of serving this particular beverage but any variant tastes great when prepared properly. Good luck with making your choice among these 5 detailed recipes on your own - enjoy your easy-to-prepare tasty Flat White Coffee!