What Is the Difference Between a Flat White and a Latte

Many café menus list both Flat Whites and Lattes, yet these two drinks remain a source of confusion. While both drinks combine espresso and steamed milk, they're prepared differently and offer different tastes. If you've ever stood at a café counter wondering which to choose, you're not alone. The way the milk is steamed, the ratio of coffee to milk, and even the way they're served make each drink special in its own way. A better grasp of these details will help you pick the drink that suits your taste.

Coffee Origins: Australian Flat White vs. Italian Latte

These two coffee drinks come from different parts of the world, and their origins shape how they're made and enjoyed today.

Flat White: Born in Australia and New Zealand in 1980s

The Flat White emerged in Australian and New Zealand cafes during the 1980s. Local baristas created this drink when customers wanted something stronger than a Latte but smoother than a Cappuccino. The exact city of origin remains debated between Sydney and Wellington, but the drink's popularity quickly spread through both countries' strong café cultures. By the 2010s, major coffee chains worldwide had added Flat Whites to their menus.

Latte: From Italian Homes to Global Cafes

The Latte's story begins in Italy, where 'caffè latte' simply meant 'coffee with milk' - a common breakfast drink made at home. The modern café Latte took shape in the 1950s in America, particularly in Seattle's coffee shops. Italian immigrants brought their espresso culture to America, where local tastes preferred more milk than traditional Italian drinks. This adaptation created today's Latte with its distinctive layered appearance.

Different Drinks for Different Times

Each drink reflects its cultural roots in how it's served and consumed. Flat Whites remain popular as a stronger morning coffee in Australia and New Zealand, usually enjoyed throughout the day without added flavors. Lattes have become the base for countless variations in American coffee shops, often customized with syrups and served in larger cups. European cafes typically serve them in smaller portions, closer to the original Italian style.

Espresso: The Essential Base for Flat Whites and Lattes

A perfect Flat White or Latte starts with quality espresso, and using the right technique makes all the difference. The small details in espresso preparation affect how these drinks taste in the end.

The Basic Espresso Shot Requirements

An espresso shot comes from an espresso machine, which pushes hot water through packed coffee grounds at high pressure. A good shot takes 20-30 seconds to make and fills about 1 ounce (30ml). The water should be 190-196°F (88-91°C), and when done right, you'll see a golden-brown layer on top called crema.

Double Shots: The Starting Point for Both Drinks

Both Flat Whites and Lattes use a double shot of espresso as their base. Each double shot has about 60-70mg of caffeine. Baristas pull the shot right before mixing it with milk to keep the coffee fresh and hot. This timing matters because it helps the coffee and milk mix well together.

Why Espresso Creates Similar Taste Notes

Since both drinks use the same amount of espresso, they share some basic taste features. The first sip gives you the strong coffee flavor, then you'll taste the milk's natural sweetness. The espresso's oils also rise to the top, which is why you can see designs in the milk foam. The coffee needs to stay hot enough to mix well with the milk, but not so hot that it ruins the milk's sweet taste.

Milk Temperature and Texture: Key to Flat White and Latte Differences

The main difference between a Flat White and a Latte lies in how the milk is prepared and mixed with the espresso. The milk's temperature and texture change the taste and feel of each drink.

The Perfect Milk Temperature: 150-155°F

Milk adds natural sweetness to coffee and helps balance the espresso's strong taste. Cold milk starts at around 40°F (4°C) and needs heating to between 150-155°F (65-68°C) to bring out its natural sugars. When heated properly, these sugars make the coffee taste smoother and less bitter.

Latte's Thick Foam vs. Flat White's Microfoam

A Latte uses milk that's steamed to create two distinct layers: heated liquid milk and a thick layer of foam on top, usually about 1/2 inch thick. The foam feels light and airy on your tongue. For a Flat White, baristas create what's called microfoam - tiny, fine bubbles that mix completely with the liquid milk. This microfoam gives the Flat White a smoother, more velvety texture than a Latte.

Milk and Coffee Blending: Texture Changes Taste

The way milk is steamed affects more than just texture - it changes how you taste the coffee. A Latte's separate layers mean you'll taste more milk at first, then find the coffee flavor underneath. In a Flat White, the microfoam blends more evenly with the espresso, creating a stronger coffee taste throughout the drink. The microfoam also makes the drink feel silkier and denser than a Latte.

Coffee-to-Milk Ratios: Flat White Uses Less Milk Than Latte

The amount of milk added to each drink creates a distinct difference in strength and taste. A precise ratio ensures each drink stays true to its traditional style.

Latte Ratio: 1:3 (One Part Espresso, Three Parts Milk)

A standard Latte combines one double shot of espresso (2 oz/60ml) with about 6 oz (180ml) of steamed milk. This ratio makes the Latte a larger, milkier drink that fills an 8 oz cup. The extra milk creates a mild, smooth coffee taste that many people prefer in the morning.

Flat White Ratio: 1:2 (One Part Espresso, Two Parts Milk)

The Flat White uses the same double shot of espresso but adds only 4 oz (120ml) of steamed milk. This smaller amount of milk fits in a 6 oz cup and creates a stronger coffee flavor. The tighter ratio means you'll taste more of the espresso's rich flavors in every sip.

Strong Flat White vs. Mild Latte

These different ratios explain why a Flat White tastes stronger than a Latte. With less milk diluting the espresso, a Flat White keeps more of the coffee's intensity and natural flavors. The Latte's extra milk makes it more mellow and creates a drink that's easier to customize with flavored syrups. Neither ratio is better - they serve different tastes and times of day.

Cup Size and Design: 8 oz Latte vs. 6 oz Flat White

The way each drink appears in the cup tells you a lot about what you're about to taste. A skilled barista pays attention to these visual details to serve each drink properly.

Serving Cups: 8 oz Latte Shows Layers, 6 oz Flat White Blends

A Latte comes in a larger 8 oz cup with visible layers - dark coffee at the bottom and white foam on top, often with space for elaborate designs. A Flat White is served in a smaller 6 oz cup with a glossy, smooth surface. Its microfoam creates a paint-like sheen across the top, showing a rich caramel color from the espresso mixing with the milk.

Latte Art: Hearts, Rosettas, and Swans

Lattes are famous for their decorative patterns - hearts, rosettas, and swans drawn with the white foam against the dark coffee background. This foam layer stays separate enough to hold these designs well. Baristas often compete to create the most intricate patterns, making the Latte as much about visual appeal as taste.

Flat White Design: Single Dot or Plain Surface

The Flat White features just one simple pattern - usually a small white dot in the center that spreads into a thin ring. This minimalist look comes from the drink's tighter coffee-milk mixture. Some cafes serve it with no pattern at all, letting the rich, reddish-brown surface speak for itself. This simpler presentation matches the drink's focus on coffee flavor over visual flair.

Flat White or Latte: How to Pick Based on Your Preferences

The right choice between these two drinks often depends on specific factors like your coffee strength preference and drinking time. Here's a practical guide to help you decide.

Coffee Strength: Bold Flat White vs. Mild Latte

For pure coffee lovers, the Flat White delivers a stronger espresso taste with its 1:2 coffee-to-milk ratio. Its smaller 6 oz size means less milk diluting the coffee flavor. The Latte's 1:3 ratio creates a gentler coffee experience in an 8 oz cup - perfect for those who enjoy a milkier drink or want to add flavored syrups.

Drink Timing: Flat White for Morning, Latte for Afternoon

Early mornings call for a Flat White - its stronger coffee kick and smaller size work well with breakfast or during the morning commute. The Latte shines as a mid-morning or afternoon drink when you want something more relaxing. Its larger size and extra milk make it ideal for casual sipping during coffee breaks or meetings.

Milk Texture: Smooth Microfoam vs. Layered Foam

Flat Whites offer a consistent velvety texture with their microfoam, making each sip equally smooth and rich. Choose this if you enjoy a uniform drinking experience. Lattes provide more variety with their distinct foam layer on top and milky coffee underneath. This layered style suits those who like to drink their coffee slowly and enjoy different textures.

Pick Your Coffee: Flat White or Latte

Whether you prefer a stronger morning coffee or a mild afternoon drink, both the Flat White and Latte offer unique experiences. The Flat White gives you a strong coffee taste in a smaller cup with smooth microfoam, perfect for those who want to taste more espresso. The Latte provides a gentler, milkier option in a larger cup with artistic foam designs, ideal for relaxed sipping or adding flavored syrups. Neither drink is better than the other - they serve different moments and tastes.