Flat White Coffee, Explained
A flat white coffee sounds simple, espresso and milk, but it is the drink people quietly ask us about the most.
If you are not quite sure what flat white coffee is, how it differs from a latte, or whether it is for you, this will clear it up, and show how we make flat white coffee at North Coast Cafe in Lynton.
What Is Flat White Coffee?
Flat white coffee is a small, strong espresso drink with silky steamed milk and a very thin layer of microfoam.
Key points:
Double shot of espresso
Smaller cup than a latte
Smooth milk, not a big foamy cap
The espresso gives a rich crema. When we pour the milk, that crema and milk blend, which is what gives flat white coffee its depth of flavour and smooth, caramel-coloured surface.
If lattes feel too milky and espresso feels too intense, flat white coffee sits in the middle.
Where did the flat white come from?
The flat white is usually credited to Australia or New Zealand, depending on who you ask. Both countries were early to push modern espresso culture and both claim to have invented it in the 1980s.
Flat White Coffee vs Latte and Cappuccino
Quick comparison:
Flat White Coffee
If you usually drink lattes and want to taste more of the coffee, flat white coffee is the next step. If you like cappuccinos but not all the froth, flat white coffee gives you the same comfort with a flatter, silkier top.
How We Make a Flat White Coffee At North Coast Cafe
Our flat white coffee starts with a double shot of espresso in a smaller cup, so the coffee leads.
The milk is steamed until it is silky and glossy, with a very thin layer of foam. It folds into the espresso instead of sitting on top like cappuccino foam.
We can make your flat white coffee with whole or semi-skimmed dairy milk, or oat milk.
The espresso crema gives a natural blank canvas. When we pour the milk, we add a simple decorative pattern on top of your flat white coffee, just enough to show it has been poured with care, without turning it into a showpiece.
What is crema?
Crema is the golden-brown layer that sits on top of a freshly pulled espresso. It forms naturally when hot water meets finely ground coffee under high pressure, creating tiny bubbles of aromatic oils.
A Quick Guide to Choosing Your Flat White Coffee
You can always ask for an extra shot if you want your flat white coffee to really kick.
If you are unsure, tell us how you usually drink coffee and we will point you to the right flat white coffee for you.
The Best Flat White Coffee In Lynton? Maybe.
If you are visiting Lynton & Lynmouth, walking the Valley of Rocks, or exploring Exmoor and looking for proper flat white coffee in Lynton, come and find us at North Coast Cafe.
