First poured in the bustling third-wave cafés of Australia and New Zealand, the flat white has become a modern classic. Known for its refined balance of smooth microfoam and concentrated espresso, it offers both simplicity and sophistication in a single cup. In this guide, we’ll explore what makes the flat white unique and walk you through the steps to making the perfect one at home.
What is a flat white?
A flat white is a coffee drink made with steamed milk and a rich ristretto espresso base. Known for its balanced ratio of coffee to milk, it has a smooth, velvety texture with a thin layer of microfoam. Typically served in a cup of about 5 or 6 ounces, the flat white is intentionally small so the boldness of the coffee isn’t lost, but softened just enough for a creamy, satisfying finish.
Flat white vs. latte vs. cappuccino
The key difference between a flat white and other espresso-based drinks like lattes or cappuccinos is the texture of the milk and the balance between coffee and milk:
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Lattes contain more steamed milk and just a thin layer of foam, resulting in a milder espresso flavor.
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Cappuccinos are made of equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam, usually in a 6-ounce cup, for a stronger coffee flavor with a frothy top.
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Flat whites are smaller in size with little to no foam, offering a stronger taste than a latte but a creamier mouthfeel than a cappuccino.
The flat white is ideal for coffee drinkers who want the boldness of espresso balanced by silky milk, without the extra foam.
Learn more: Macchiato vs Cortado vs Flat White: What's the Difference?
The origin of the flat white
Ask an Australian or a New Zealander where the flat white was born, and you’ll likely get two very different answers. Both countries claim it as their own, but most stories trace the drink back to Melbourne cafés in the 1980s. Coffee culture had been on the rise in Australia since the 1950s, when Italian immigrants brought espresso machines and a passion for bold, flavorful coffee. The flat white likely grew out of that tradition, eventually becoming the classic we know today.
What is in a flat white coffee?
A flat white doesn’t require a long list of ingredients—the magic is in the quality of what you use. You only need these two things to make a flat white:
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Coffee: Use freshly roasted, finely ground beans to brew your espresso. Medium or dark roasts work best, offering rich, chocolatey, or nutty notes that pair beautifully with milk.
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Milk: Whole milk is classic for its creaminess and ability to create silky microfoam, but oat milk and other alternatives can also work great if properly steamed.
Because the recipe is so simple, every detail matters. Freshly roasted beans, milk with good natural sweetness, and even the water you brew with can make the difference between an average cup and one that feels café-worthy.
Flat white ratio
The hallmark of a flat white is balance. Unlike a latte, which leans heavy on milk, the flat white uses a more restrained ratio that keeps the espresso flavor front and center.
The standard ratio is about 1 part espresso to 4 or 5 parts milk. In practice, that usually means:
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1 double ristretto shot (about 1 to 1.5 ounces of espresso)
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4 to 5 ounces of steamed milk with microfoam
Served in a cup around 5 or 6 ounces total, this ratio ensures the drink stays bold and coffee-forward, while still finishing smooth and velvety.
Equipment needed to make a flat white at home
If you don’t have a full espresso setup, don’t worry—flat whites are still possible at home. With a few simple alternatives, you can achieve a drink that captures the same creamy balance of milk and bold coffee. Here’s what you’ll need:
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Coffee scale – Useful for weighing your coffee and tracking espresso yield, ensuring accuracy in every cup.
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Coffee grinder – A burr grinder gives you the fine, consistent grind needed for espresso.
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Espresso machine or alternative brewer – An espresso machine is ideal, but a Moka pot, AeroPress, or French press can produce a concentrated substitute.
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Steam wand or frothing tool – A steam wand creates the smoothest microfoam, though a handheld frother, electric whisk, or French press can get you close.
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Steaming pitcher – A small stainless steel pitcher helps you control milk texture and makes pouring easier.
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Kitchen thermometer (optional) – Not required, but handy for keeping your milk from scalding.
How to make a flat white at home
A flat white may feel like a coffeehouse indulgence, but you can brew one at home in just a few steps. The key is brewing a strong, concentrated coffee base and steaming the milk to the perfect velvety texture. Here’s how to master both, whether you have a home espresso machine or just a French press and a frother.
1. Brew your espresso
A flat white traditionally starts with a double ristretto shot, which uses about 19 grams of finely ground coffee for a rich espresso base.
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With an espresso machine: Distribute the grounds evenly in your portafilter, tamp firmly, and pull your shot. Aim for about a 30-gram yield.
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Without a machine: Brew a concentrated coffee using a Moka pot, AeroPress, or French press. Adjust your coffee-to-water ratio until you reach a bold, espresso-like strength.
Learn more:
2. Steam your milk
You’ll only need about 4 to 5 ounces of milk for a traditional flat white. Here’s how to steam the perfect milk texture for a smooth, velvety microfoam:
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With an espresso machine: Submerge the tip of the steam wand just under the milk’s surface to begin aerating. Then, after a few seconds, lower the wand further into the milk to continue steaming. Keep your hand on the pitcher to monitor the temperature, making sure the milk doesn’t scald.
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Without a machine: Warm the milk on the stovetop or in the microwave until hot but not boiling (about 140°F or 60°C). Froth it with a handheld frother, electric whisk, or French press until it reaches a silky texture.
3. Pour and enjoy
Gently tap the milk pitcher on the counter and give it a swirl to ensure an even texture. Then, tilt your cup at a 45-degree angle and pour the steamed milk into the center of the espresso, starting from 5 to 6 inches above. Keep your pour slow and steady to allow the milk and espresso time to blend.
Flat whites are the perfect canvases for latte art! Learn how to pour your own latte art with our guide: How To Pour Latte Art (Pro Tips for Beginners)
Which milk makes the best flat white?
Since the flat white is a fairly simple espresso beverage, the type of milk you use can have a significant influence on the end result. Here are some of the best milk options for making a flat white.
Whole milk
Since microfoam is key to the perfect flat white, whole dairy milk is the best choice. Whole milk has the ideal fat content for creating the velvety microfoam the flat white is known for. Whole milk’s creamy texture also complements the rich flavor of ristretto espresso.
Want to take your flat white to the next level? Use fresh milk from a local dairy!
Oat milk
Oat milk is by far the best dairy-free option to use for a flat white. The fat content found in barista blends helps support the creation of microfoam, and oat milk has a mild, slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with espresso.
Learn more: 4 Best Oat Milks for Coffee
2% milk
Though not as rich as whole milk, you can use 2% milk to make a lower-calorie flat white. Because of the lower fat content, 2% milk microfoam lacks the same luxurious mouthfeel, but it can still make an enjoyable flat white.
What are the best coffee beans for a flat white?
Because flat whites are meant to showcase the ristretto espresso—which is more concentrated, sweeter, and bolder in flavor—medium to dark roasts usually provide the richest taste. Look for high-quality, freshly roasted Arabica beans.
Chocolatey, nutty, roasty coffee beans balanced by sweeter notes like brown sugar, cherry, or apple offer a nuanced flavor profile that brews bold espresso with just the right touch of sweetness. Single-origin coffees from countries like Guatemala, Brazil, and Colombia typically offer just the right bold-and-fruity balance for a flat white.
Browse our medium-bodied coffees →
Browse our full-bodied coffees →
Don’t let your flat white fall flat
Making a flat white at home may seem intimidating at first, but don’t be discouraged if your first few attempts aren’t picture-perfect. Every try gets you closer to mastering the balance of smooth espresso and silky milk. Soon enough, you’ll be pouring a flat white that’s just as indulgent as the ones you order at a café.
And remember: great coffee is instrumental in making a delicious flat white. Browse our selection of thoughtfully sourced blends and single-origin coffees to find beans that bring out the best in your home-brewed flat whites.
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