FLAT WHITE VS LATTE: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
Here’s my flat what vs latte guide.
A small latte is often a good substitute at a coffee shop without a flat white on the menu. But don’t let that fool you into thinking these two coffee drinks are the same. To the trained eye and palate, there are key differences between a flat white and a latte – meaning one is more likely to be your favorite.
I’ll walk you through the unique characteristics of both drinks. So you’ll know which one to order next time you visit the local specialty cafe.
What Is A Flat White?
A flat white is a specialty drink combining espresso and steamed whole milk. Although the preparation of a flat white is likely to vary from one coffee shop to another, it generally consists of 4 ounces of steamed milk poured over a single or double shot of espresso. In the U.S., it is most common to use two shots.
As the name suggests, it should be “flat.” So a flat white is capped with just a small layer of microfoam, no more than about 5mm. This results in a very creamy and full-bodied drink with a relatively strong coffee flavor. It is traditionally served in a 6-ounce ceramic cup.
The Origins Of The Flat White
The flat white is the subject of a heated cultural debate down under, with both Australians and New Zealanders claiming its invention in the 1980s (1). In any case, both countries are strong players in the global specialty coffee scene, so the flat white’s popularity quickly spread. It was added to the U.S. Starbucks menu in 2015, marking its official arrival to the mainstream.
What Is A Latte?
A latte is another drink of espresso and steamed whole milk, but the ratio of coffee to milk is lower, which gives a caffè latte a milder coffee flavor.
In a traditional latte, a single or double espresso is topped with 6 ounces of steamed milk capped with a thin layer of foam – often poured into decorative latte art. It is served in an 8 to 10-ounce ceramic mug or glass.
One thing you’ll notice if you’ve been to a coffee shop in North America recently is that lattes can stray pretty far from that original definition. They’re regularly served in sizes up to 20 ounces, resulting in a drink with a lot of milk and very little coffee flavour. You can also get flavored versions of a latte like a caramel latte or vanilla latte.
History of the Caffé Latte Explained
Europeans have been mixing espresso and milk for centuries, but the modern latte is an American creation. The first latte is thought to have originated in California in the 1950s, developed to cater to the tastes of those who wanted a less intense cappuccino (2).
From California, it took off in the burgeoning coffee culture of Seattle and the PNW before gaining widespread traction on cafe menus around the world in the 1990s.
Is A Flat White Stronger Than A Latte?
Yes, a flat white has a much stronger flavor than a latte because it uses less warm milk for the same amount of espresso. This is the biggest difference between the two drinks.
A latte is always made with espresso whereas a flat white is made using a ristretto shot in some coffee shops. This gives it an even more concentrated espresso flavor. If your local cafe doesn’t do this by default, it’s always something you can request.
Does Latte Have More Caffeine Than Flat White?
No, a latte and a flat white have the same caffeine content, assuming the same specialty-grade coffee beans are used for both. Each starts with the same amount of espresso; the difference is the amount of milk.
Latte vs Flat White Caffeine Differences
| Latte Caffeine Content | Flat White Caffeine Content | |
|---|---|---|
| Made With A Single Shot | 40 – 60 mg | 40 – 60 mg |
| Made With A Double Shot | 80 – 120 mg | 80 – 120 mg |
That said, certain flavored lattes, like the chocolate mocha, have a bit more caffeine due to the other ingredients.
You can watch Steven compare a latte with other popular espresso drinks in this video, which also inlcudes recipes for everything:
How to steam milk for latte art:
And here’s how you actually do latte art:
Can You Do A Flat White Iced?
Both a caffe latte and flat white can be prepared hot or iced. The iced variations are easy to make at home because you don’t need barista expertise or an espresso machine with a steam wand.
The iced versions use the same ratio of espresso to milk as their hot counterparts. But the warm, velvety microfoam milk is replaced with cold milk, which can be frothy or not.
Related: Iced Flat White Coffee Recipe.
Why Does A Flat White Cost More Than A Latte?
This isn’t universally true, but flat whites do cost more than lattes in many cafés. It seems counterintuitive because they use less milk; they should be cheaper.
The reason a flat white often costs more is because it takes more skill to make a good flat white than a latte. Only experienced baristas can achieve the perfect velvety texture with the small amount of milk used in the steaming process (3). That training and know-how bumps up the price.
Is A Flat White Healthier Than Latte?
Flat whites and lattes are nutritionally similar, assuming we’re comparing the standard drinks. Let’s take a look:
- Flat white calories: a 6-oz drink has about 80 calories
- Latte calories: an 8-oz drink has about 120 calories
Latte vs flat white calories difference is simply from the extra 2 ounces of whole milk in the latte.
However, if you order a modern latte that strays far from tradition, the calorie content can easily skyrocket. Many contain upwards of 12 ounces of steamed milk, which is high in fat and calories. Plus, that extra high proportion of milk makes them well-suited for the addition of flavored syrups, which can ramp up the sugar.
For example, a Grande Hazelnut Latte at Starbucks has 380 calories, 18 g of fat, and 36 g of sugar. In this case, the flat white is arguably a healthier option – at least if you’re watching your weight.
Final Thoughts
Comparing the latte vs the flat white is an interesting example of how milk-based espresso drinks have evolved and how tastes differ around the world. So which one should you order?
Choose a flat white if…
- You want a more intense coffee flavor
- You want a smaller drink
- You want to minimize calories
Choose a latte if…
- You prefer a more mellow coffee flavor
- You want a larger, milkier drink
- You want the option to add flavored syrups
FAQs
No, a flat white is not the strongest coffee. A straight ristretto shot is the strongest, followed by an espresso shot. Getting into milky drinks, the macchiato and cortado are both stronger than a flat white because they don’t use as much milk.
A cappuccino is stronger than a flat white. Even though both use the same amount of milk and coffee, a cappuccino has a higher proportion of airy milk froth. The light milk foam doesn’t mute the intensity of espresso as much as denser steamed milk, giving the cappuccino a stronger flavor. The caffeine content is the same for both.
A white coffee can mean several things. In some regions of the world, it refers to coffee brewed from very lightly roasted beans, which has a pale, beige color. In other areas, it simply means a coffee with milk.
The difference between latte and cappuccino is the amount of foam in the two drinks. A latte has almost entirely steamed milk, with just a thin foam layer on top. In contrast, a cappuccino has 50/50 steamed milk and milk foam. As a result, the latte is creamier and milder with a silkier texture.
References
- Alves, T. (2017, May 6). Here’s Who Really Invented the Flat White. Retrieved July 4, 2019, from https://theculturetrip.com/pacific/new-zealand/articles/the-contentious-history-of-the-flat-white
- Fick, K. (2016, June 23). The science of milk in coffee. Retrieved July 4, 2019, from https://www.diffordsguide.com/g/1113/coffee/science-of-milk
- Fabricant, F. (1992, September 2). Americans Wake Up and Smell the Coffee. Retrieved July 4, 2019, from https://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/02/garden/americans-wake-up-and-smell-the-coffee.html
