How to Make the Perfect Flat White

Over the years, the flat white has become more and more popular around the world. They’re also rather different to traditional coffee drinks like cappuccinos and lattes. Here’s what you need to know about making the perfect flat white.

1. Quality Beans

Sounds obvious doesn’t it? Good quality coffee beans are the main ingredient in a flat white. When buying beans, look for ones that are a bit lighter in colour, plump and firm. These qualities indicate that the bean was picked ripe and harvested at its peak. We recommend a coffee such as The Great Dane.

2. Quality Coffee Machine

You’ll need a high quality coffee machine to make the best flat whites. There are plenty of options out there, but we recommend buying something like a Fracino.

3. Fine Grind

Grinding coffee beans finely increases the surface area of the grind and allows for greater extraction of flavours and aromas. It’s always best to grind your beans just before brewing.

4. Make It Strong

Strong coffee grounds extract more caffeine from the beans than weak ones. For a strong cup of coffee, brew your coffee with a medium/dark to dark roast coffee.

5. Add Milk (Duh)

Adding milk to your coffee adds body and richness to the drink. Adding too much milk can dilute the taste of your coffee, so experiment until you find the right amount.

6. Keep It Fresh

To ensure freshness and a rich flavour, use full cream milk.

7. The Technical Stuff

Pull a double espresso into a cup or glass. Steam the milk to 55–62 °C. Learn how the right temperature feels in your hand when holding the pitcher or use a thermometer to take the temperature of the milk. To make the milk velvety and smooth and disperse any bubbles, give the pitcher a thump on the counter and swirl the milk lightly around the pitcher.

8. Patience

Don’t serve your coffee immediately. Let the coffee cool slightly before serving.

Enjoy your freshly brewed flat white!