Do you love arabica coffee but want a change from the usual latte macchiatos and cappuccinos? This drink is perfect for you! A flat white is made from espresso and steamed milk: it’s an often-overlooked, but delicious, drink.
The origins of the flat white are somewhat vague. This drink appears to have originated in Australia in the 1980s. But, New Zealand claims to have invented the drink. The whole thing remains a mystery. However, its meaning remains the same: “flat” means “thin”. Both the words “flat” and “white” are a reference to the milk, which is particularly worked in this drink. The flat white also contains a shot or two of espresso, with milk and a small amount of milk foam. It can easily be confused with the latte, white coffee or the cappuccino. But the flavour of the espresso is more distinct and lifted in the flat white. This drink is typically served in a ceramic or porcelain cup.
HOW TO MAKE A FLAT WHITE
If you have an automatic espresso machine (or espresso grinder)
Ingredients
Between 120 and 150 ml of whole milk
Coffee beans
Material
Your coffee bean machine
A cup
Preparation
Step 1Put the coffee beans in the espresso grinder.
Step 2If you have a classic automatic coffee machine, just brew 1 espresso.
Step 3Take a 30 cl pitcher and heat up 15 cl of milk. You can do this with a steam nozzle or a milk frother.
Step 4Pour the hot steamed milk into the espresso. Do this as gently as possible.
Step 5At the end, tilt the jug upwards to pour the foam on the milk. Your espresso will be mixed with hot milk and topped with a layer of soft foam!
Step 1
Put the coffee beans in the espresso grinder.
Step 2
If you have a classic automatic coffee machine, just brew 1 espresso.
Step 3
Take a 30 cl pitcher and heat up 15 cl of milk. You can do this with a steam nozzle or a milk frother.
Step 4
Pour the hot steamed milk into the espresso. Do this as gently as possible.
Step 5
At the end, tilt the jug upwards to pour the foam on the milk. Your espresso will be mixed with hot milk and topped with…
1 / 5
If you have a manual espresso machine
Ingredients
Between 120 and 150 ml of whole milk
Coffee beans
Material
Your manual espresso machine
A coffee grinder
A tamping mat
A grind distributor
A tamper
A scale
A cup
Preparation
Step 1Grind 14 g of coffee in your holder-filter.
Step 2Use your hands to distribute and even out the ground coffee in your portafilter.
Step 3Use the grind distributor to make sure that it is evenly packed down (2 to 3 turns).
Step 4Using your tamper, put 15 to 20 kg of force on your grind to pack it down.
Step 5Before switching on your coffee machine, flush it (cleaning the filter of any coffee grounds and emptying the water unit).
Step 6Insert the portafilter into the unit and start the extraction.
Step 7Stop the extraction when your drink weighs 28 to 42 g.
Step 8Take a 30 cl jug and heat up 15 cl of milk. You can do this with a steam nozzle or a milk frother.
Step 9Pour the hot steamed milk into the espresso. Do this as gently as possible.
Step 10At the end, tilt the jug upwards to pour the foam on the milk. Your espresso will be mixed with hot milk and topped with a layer of soft foam!
Step 1
Grind 14 g of coffee in your holder-filter.
Step 2
Use your hands to distribute and even out the ground coffee in your portafilter.
Step 3
Use the grind distributor to make sure that it is evenly packed down (2 to 3 turns).
Step 4
Using your tamper, put 15 to 20 kg of force on your grind to pack it down.
Step 5
Before switching on your coffee machine, flush it (cleaning the filter of any coffee grounds and emptying the water unit).
Step 6
Insert the portafilter into the unit and start the extraction.
Step 7
Stop the extraction when your drink weighs 28 to 42 g.
Step 8
Take a 30 cl jug and heat up 15 cl of milk. You can do this with a steam nozzle or a milk frother.
Step 9
Pour the hot steamed milk into the espresso. Do this as gently as possible.
Step 10
At the end, tilt the jug upwards to pour the foam on the milk. Your espresso will be mixed with hot milk and topped with…
1 / 10
MaxiCoffee’s tips for an even better taste
For this recipe use pasteurised whole milk as it will give your flat white sweetness and a creamy, delicious texture.
Additionally, you can choose coffees with notes of nut, chocolate and caramel. This will allow your coffee to better blend with your milk.
MAXICOFFEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A FLAT WHITE
The coffee that you use to make your flat white will determine your drink’s final flavour profile. Here is a selection of coffees with different flavour profiles: you just need to choose which!
1 kg of Purissima coffee beans – Perléo Espresso
This coffee is Italian roasted. It will release a whole bunch of flavours. You will notice fruity notes along with notes of chocolate, caramel, hazelnut and nutmeg.
Available now
Perleo Espresso
Perleo Coffee Beans 100% Arabica Purissima – 1kg
14.70 £15.50 £
• 100% Arabica
• For a Balanced Gourmet Espresso
• Italian-Style Roast
• 1kg Coffee Beans
1 kg of organic coffee beans – Oquendo This eco-friendly coffee from the Spanish brand Oquendo is a 100% arabica blend. It results in a mild and fruity espresso with a dark roast. When drunk it will reveal notes of nut, cedar and candied blackcurrant.
250 g of Ethiopia Moka Gamoji coffee beans – Cafés Lugat This 100% eco-friendly arabica coffee comes from the Nekemte region in the West of Ethiopia. Roasted in France, this specialty coffee is organically grown. It has notes of chocolate, orange zest and white flowers.
