What is a flat white?
A flat white is an espresso drink made with a double shot of espresso and steamed milk with microfoam, served in a smaller cup than a latte for a more concentrated coffee flavor.
The flat white combines espresso with velvety steamed milk, distinguished by its thin layer of microfoam rather than the thick foam head of other milk drinks. Typically served in a 6 to 8 ounce cup, it sits between a macchiato and a latte in both size and milk ratio, creating a drink where the coffee flavor remains prominent without being overshadowed by milk.
What sets it apart from a latte is proportion and texture. A flat white uses a double shot of espresso with roughly equal parts milk and microfoam, keeping the coffee taste front and center. A latte, by contrast, contains more steamed milk relative to espresso and often sports a thicker foam layer on top, resulting in a gentler, more milk-forward drink. The flat white's microfoam is poured through the espresso so the layers integrate smoothly, rather than sitting as distinct strata.
The drink emerged as a staple in Australian and New Zealand specialty cafes before gaining traction globally. Today it's a standard marker of skilled espresso work, since proper microfoam technique and milk-pouring ability are essential to getting the texture right. For drinkers seeking specialty coffee venues in Kuala Lumpur, the flat white on a menu often signals that the cafe invests in quality equipment and barista training.