How to Make a Flat White
Smaller than a latte, bigger than a macchiato, less foamy than a cappuccino: it’s a flat white. If you haven’t tried it yet, it’s definitely time! This Australian-born drink is perfect for those who love a strong espresso milk drink, but don’t want the foaminess of a cappuccino. Here’s how you can make a café-quality flat white at home.
What You'll Need
- 1 Tbsp (14 grams) finely ground espresso beans
- 3 oz of milk
- Espresso machine
- Milk steaming wand or other milk frothing device
- Milk steaming pitcher
- Coffee grinder (optional)
- Kitchen scale (optional)
- Ember Mug²
Directions
- Pull 2 espresso shots (2 oz) directly into your Ember Mug².
- Steam and froth milk.
- Pour milk of choice into steaming pitcher.
- Submerge steaming wand just under the surface of the milk. Keep wand submerged and angled to the side of the pitcher in order to create a vortex. This will help evenly texture the milk and prevent large bubbles.
- Steam milk to about 140°F (usually when pitcher begins to feel slightly too hot to the touch comfortably, but not burning).
- Tap pitcher on counter to break up any bubbles and swirl milk in pitcher. Ideally, you’ll have a smooth, velvety microfoam with no visible bubbles. If you do have large bubbles or any stiff, airy foam on top, use a spoon to skim it off.
- Pour milk over espresso in your Ember Mug².
- Serve at 135°F
Want to take your coffee knowledge a bit deeper?
What is a flat white?Typically, flat whites are a roughly 5 oz espresso-based drink with steamed milk and little-to-no airy foam. It first became popular in Australia and New Zealand, where customers often ordered their cappuccinos “flat,” i.e. without the traditional layer of thick foam.
Flat whites are usually a few ounces smaller than lattes, but contain the same amount of espresso, giving them a stronger coffee flavor. Flat whites are unique in that they feature a very lightly textured milk. Whereas cappuccinos are usually topped with a layer of aireir foam, the milk in a flat white has a uniform consistency of velvety microfoam.
We recommend enjoying your flat white at 135°F in your temperature-controlled Ember Mug!
