Crafting the Perfect Flat White at Home
If you’re a coffee enthusiast looking to recreate the smooth, velvety flat white that your favorite cafe serves, look no further! Here’s a simple guide to making a delicious flat white right in the comfort of your own kitchen. Whether you’re starting your day or need an afternoon pick-me-up, mastering this beverage can bring a touch of coffee shop sophistication to your daily routine.
Ingredients:
- Espresso: 60ml (about 2 oz)
- Milk: 100-130ml (about 3.5-4.5 oz), depending on preference
Directions:
- Brew the Espresso:
- Begin by making your espresso. You’ll need a 150-170ml heatproof cup and an espresso machine for the best results. If you don’t have an espresso machine, no worries—compostable espresso pods, a strong stovetop coffee, or even a concentrated instant coffee that mimics the texture of a wet sauce can work as alternatives.
- Steam the Milk:
- Next, it’s time to steam your milk to achieve that silky texture characteristic of a flat white. If using an espresso machine with a steam wand, submerge the wand 1-2cm below the milk’s surface, ensuring it doesn’t introduce any cold air, which prevents hissing noises or spitting. The goal is to create a smooth, whirlpool motion to properly incorporate air into the milk.
- For those without a steam wand, you can use an electric milk frother. Alternatively, heat the milk slightly (avoid boiling) and use a French press to manually froth the milk by plunging the filter up and down.
- If your milk ends up too frothy, simply skim off the excess from the top to refine the texture.
- Combine and Create Art:
- Pour the steamed milk into the brewed espresso, starting from the center of the cup. To create a pattern or a simple heart shape, gently wiggle or tilt the pouring jug as you finish, controlling the flow to achieve your desired design. The milk should be smoothly textured and not overly thick to complement the strong espresso base.
Quick Tips:
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cooking Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Calories: Approx. 50 kcal per serving
- Servings: 1
Crafting a flat white is as much an art as it is a science. It requires attention to detail and a bit of practice, especially when it comes to milk texturing and pouring. But once you nail it, you’ll have the satisfaction of enjoying a professionally made espresso beverage without stepping out the door. So why not turn your kitchen into your new favorite coffee spot? Start experimenting today and enjoy the rewarding experience of making the perfect flat white at home!
Flat White
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
Description
The Flat White is a delightful coffee beverage that perfectly balances the rich flavor of espresso with the creamy texture of steamed milk. This coffee is not only a treat for the taste buds but also a visual delight, with its smooth surface and potential for beautiful latte art.
Perfect for any time of the day, the Flat White is a versatile drink that can be enjoyed as a morning wake-up call, a mid-day pick-me-up, or a relaxing evening treat. Its simple preparation process makes it an accessible yet sophisticated choice for coffee lovers of all skill levels.
Ingredients
60ml espresso
100–130ml milk
Instructions
Make the espresso in a 150-170ml heatproof cup using an espresso machine. If you don’t have an espresso machine, you could use compostable pods, a very strong stovetop coffee or concentrated instant coffee that has the consistency of wet sauce.
Next, steam the milk. If you are using an espresso machine steam wand, hold the wand at least 1-2cm under the surface, making sure you don’t let any cold air in. It shouldn’t make any hissing noises or be spitting milk drops anywhere. Try to use steam jets to spin the milk around in a whirlpool-like motion. If you have a separate steamer attachment on a bean-to-cup machine, steam the milk separately in a silver jug for pouring. You can use an electric milk frother (heat the milk in the microwave or on the hob, making sure it doesn’t boil). Or, pour the warm milk into a French press, then carefully plunge the filter up and down to push air through and create foam. If you find your milk too frothy, you can scrape off the overly foamy top with a spoon to reveal smoother milk.
Pour the milk into the espresso, starting in the middle. As you tip the base of the jug up, start to wiggle it back and forth to make a pattern on top of the espresso. Or, to create a simple heart shape, keep pouring and pushing the milk, tilting the base of the jug up, then restrict the milk by pulling the spout up right at the last second. Your milk should be nicely textured, smooth and not too thick.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 50 kcal