What Is The Difference Between a Cappuccino, Flat White and Latte?

At most specialty coffee shops you can find three different drinks made with the same ingredients, Flat White, Cappuccino, and Latte. While it is common for coffee shops to serve two sizes of latte one thing you should never hear when you order a cappuccino or flat white is, ‘What size?’ Gasp!

The flat white originated in either Australia or New Zealand, though there is some debate over which country truly created it. Both nations claim to have invented the drink in the 1980s, and the flat white has since gained global popularity.

Australian Claim:

Many Australians believe the flat white was invented in Sydney in the mid-1980s. One prominent story is that Alan Preston, owner of Moors Espresso Bar in Sydney, began serving the drink around 1985. He claims to have coined the term "flat white" as a way to describe a coffee with a smoother texture than a cappuccino, made with microfoam rather than stiff froth.

New Zealand Claim:

New Zealanders, on the other hand, credit the invention to Wellington or Auckland, sometime in the late 1980s. One version of the story is that it was invented by a barista in Wellington who attempted to make a cappuccino but couldn’t achieve the usual frothy texture, resulting in a "flat" version.

While the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) does not provide a specific, standardized definition for a flat white it does define a cappuccino as a 150-180ml (5-6 oz) drink consisting of 1 part espresso, 1 part steamed milk, and 1 part dense foam, with a focus on balance between coffee, milk, and foam. It is characterized by its rich espresso base, creamy milk, and a thick, velvety foam on top, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

The main differences between a flat white, latte, and cappuccino lie in the texture of the milk, the milk-to-espresso ratio, and how they're served. All three drinks are espresso-based, but they cater to different preferences for milk and foam. Here’s a breakdown of how they differ:

1. Milk Texture

• Flat White: Uses microfoam, which is steamed milk with very fine, velvety bubbles. This gives the drink a smooth texture with a thin layer of foam on top.

• Latte: Has steamed milk with a small amount of microfoam on top. The milk is textured but not as thick or frothy as a cappuccino.

• Cappuccino: Has a thicker layer of frothy foam on top. The milk is frothed to create a distinct, airy foam that sits above the espresso.

2. Milk-to-Espresso Ratio

• Flat White: Typically has a 1:3 ratio of espresso to milk, with less milk than a latte and a stronger espresso flavor. The flat white focuses on keeping the drink small and balanced, often made with a double shot of espresso.

• Latte: Has a higher proportion of milk, with a 1:4 or 1:5 ratio of espresso to milk. The result is a creamier, milkier drink, with a mild espresso flavor.

• Cappuccino: Has approximately equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam (a 1:1:1 ratio). It’s a more balanced drink in terms of foam, milk, and espresso, with a light and airy texture due to the froth.

3. Serving Size

• Flat White: Served in a smaller cup (6-8 oz), which enhances the stronger espresso flavor and keeps the milk-to-coffee ratio balanced.

• Latte: Typically served in a larger cup (12 oz), making it a bigger and milkier drink. Lattes are designed to have more volume, which softens the espresso taste.

• Cappuccino: Usually served in a medium cup (6-8 oz), and because of the foam, it uses less milk but is similar in size to a flat white.

4. Strength of Coffee Flavor

• Flat White: Stronger than a latte but slightly softer espresso flavor than a cappuccino because the milk is not stretched and foamed as much. 

• Latte: The mildest coffee flavor, as it contains the most milk. The flavor of the espresso is more subtle due to the creamy texture.

• Cappuccino: The strongest coffee flavor because the milk is stretched and foamed more than a latte and flat white. 

5. Visual Differences

• Flat White: Has a thin layer of fine microfoam, often without a distinct foam cap.

• Latte: Features a small amount of foam, but the drink is mostly steamed milk with a smooth texture.

• Cappuccino: Has a noticeable, thick layer of frothy foam on top, making it visually distinct from the others.

Summary:

• Flat White: Small, strong espresso flavor, velvety microfoam, less milk than a latte.

• Latte: Larger, creamy, mild coffee flavor, with more milk and a small amount of foam.

• Cappuccino: Balanced, with equal parts milk and foam, a thicker frothy top, and strong coffee flavor.

Please, keep in mind there is no right or wrong way to make these drinks. This is how we approach the three different drinks at Achilles Coffee Roasters, but you will likely find varying degrees of difference depending on the coffee shop. Each drink caters to different preferences for the balance between milk, coffee strength, type, and amount of foam.