What is a flat white?
A flat white is an espresso coffee with steamed milk and a thin layer of velvety microfoam, smaller and stronger than a latte. It was popularised in Australia and New Zealand in the 1980s.
Both Australia and New Zealand claim to have invented the flat white. One story credits Alan Preston, who said he served flat whites in a Sydney cafe in 1985, while New Zealand baristas in Wellington and Auckland also claim the drink from the same period.
A flat white is usually made with a single or double shot of espresso and served in a smaller cup than a latte, with less foam than a cappuccino. The milk is steamed to a smooth, glossy texture rather than frothy.
Going global
As Australian and New Zealand baristas moved overseas, the flat white spread to cafes in London and New York. Starbucks added it to its menus in 2015.
Australia's cafe culture, especially in Melbourne, is famous for high-quality espresso. Independent cafes and skilled baristas are part of everyday life.
Other popular Australian coffee orders include the long black, the piccolo and the magic, a Melbourne specialty made with a double ristretto. Many Australians are particular about how their coffee is made.
Did You Know?
Melbourne is often described as the coffee capital of Australia.