Flat white What makes it so mysterious and different?
Surely you have looked at the menu of any specialty coffee shop, and have come across that mysterious and popular preparation, which is known as flat white. This is a delicious foamy coffee that brightens anyone's day, and is often confused with latte and there are even many recipes but only one is true.
As if that were not enough, this exquisite drink is also a headache for many baristas, and the reason is that they do not know how to prepare it. Even if we put several cups of coffee next to each other, it will be very difficult to guess which one is the real one. flat white.
However, all is not lost, since if there is something that makes it stand out from the rest, the team at Incapto Coffee will be in charge of revealing it shortly. We will also not overlook its true origins and more interesting details about this incredible preparation.
Who were its creators?
We know that the flat white It originated in the other part of the world. But since it is not known exactly which region, this immediately becomes a topic of debate. That is why we wanted to put the two most known versions so that you can make the decision.
Now, the australians They assure above all things that this drink was born in their territory. While in New Zealand, they attribute it to him and affirm that it is a creation with a Kiwi seal (New Zealand military, the first to receive this nickname). If you ask a barista from both countries, they will defend the flat white as yours. So get ready for an intense debate, because from what we can see, this preparation has great national significance.
The truth is that in this war, it seems, the winner is New Zealand. It turns out that, in Australia, espresso consumption evolved remarkably quickly, allowing the premature adoption of other drinks such as cappuccino and latte. But Kiwis enjoy much stronger, blacker coffee. As they refused to put it aside, they decided to use espresso machines to offer similar drinks, and thanks to this innovation at that time, the flat white emerged.
The strategic project manager at Five senses coffee, in Melbourne, Australia, Ben Bicknell, assures that the drink occurred naturally in both countries. And consumers who were used to instant coffee or espresso wanted something similar that was not cappuccino. The latter, at that time, was characterized by having giant mountains of foam, making it very unattractive. So they used to ask for it “flat” and over the years it has become a much flatter drink than cappuccino itself.
The drink becomes successful
Approximately In the 80s, the flat white became one of the most popular drinks, after consumers will begin to demand coffee with less milk. The objective of this was to be able to differentiate the espresso, but at the same time, have that pleasant foamy sensation on the palate. The flat white, fit this profile perfectly and quickly became part of the coffee culture of New Zealand and Australia.
Over time, this wonderful preparation has been deployed on the European continent and the United States. Something that We owe it to Australian and New Zealand baristas, who changed lands and introduced us to their valuable flat white, in local coffee shops. Being one of the best contributions to the coffee industry and that today we have the joy of continuing to enjoy.
Although we can enjoy this drink at any coffee shop, it is very difficult for the recipe to be the same. This is because each establishment prepares it differently. Yes, we know, it is one of the most mysterious preparations, but at the same time it requires naturalness and self-confidence in whoever decides to recreate it.
What actually is a flat white?
As we said above, this drink is often confused with others such as, for example, the latte or the cappuccino. Since, they are preparations based on espresso, milk and finally, an interesting layer of micro foam.
The flat white and the cappuccino They are served in a ceramic mug of 177 ml or a little less. While for latte we normally find it in a larger cup of approximately 236 ml.
Regarding espresso, both cappuccino and latte usually contain one or two shots. In the case of flat white, varies depending on your “country of origin”. For example in Australia they use a shot, but in New Zealand the recipe changes and they add two. Some baristas agree that it should be a double ristretto, which would offer a more intense flavor than the espresso itself.
In short, the flat white is smaller than the latte, and is even prepared with one or two shots of espresso or ristretto, resulting in a fairly concentrated cup of coffee.
What role does milk play in flat white?
The real difference is not the amounts of espresso, but the milk. The purpose of flat white It was to enchant the palates of those who were looking for a creamy coffee but without such a predominant layer of foam.
This drink is the perfect alternative for those who lean toward strong flavors in their cup. That is why the recipe consists of add a small amount of milk and a thin layer of micro foam, enough to make a latte art and make it more attractive.
Flat white or latte, which one do you prefer?
Both drinks may be similar at first glance, but the truth is that both the proportions and the size of the cup are different. In short, the flat white turns out to be smaller than the latte and usually contains more espresso.
If you are one of those who delight in the nuances that a cup of specialty coffee provides, but without leaving aside that touch of milk, then the flat white, it is the best option for you.
Because? Because it has a low milk content and at the same time opens the doors to experience 100% of the sensory profile of the grains. Remember that this is a very personal decision, as we all enjoy coffee in different ways.
A new question may arise in your head and it is: which of the two is more intense? Well, the flat white It is characterized by being more concentrated, and where the coffee stands out more than the milk. In fact may contain higher levels of caffeine that he latte, because two are added shot.
But are you intolerant to dairy? Don't worry as you can enjoy this experience with vegetable drinks, although it is more complicated to foam than with milk of animal origin, this makes them a good option to prepare a flat white.
As you will see, identifying a flat white It is not such a complicated task. But if you are one of those people who takes care of every detail of their drink, and it is your first time visiting a coffee establishment, we advise you to ask the barista everything you need to know about this preparation.
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