What is a flat white?
A flat white is an espresso drink topped with a thin layer of velvety microfoam steamed milk, featuring a stronger coffee presence and smoother texture than a latte or cappuccino.
The flat white combines espresso shots with steamed milk that has been aerated to create microfoam, a fine, velvety foam much thinner than the foam on a cappuccino. Unlike a latte, which uses more milk and less espresso, a flat white maintains a higher ratio of espresso to milk, producing a stronger coffee flavour while keeping the drink smooth rather than watery.
The defining characteristic is the microfoam itself. Baristas create this texture by steaming milk through the wand of an espresso machine, introducing air to build tiny bubbles that integrate into the liquid rather than sitting as a separate layer on top. This microfoam clings to the espresso and creates a glossy surface when poured, contributing to both the appearance and mouthfeel of the drink.
The flat white typically uses two shots of espresso and fills a six to seven-ounce cup, making it smaller and stronger than a standard latte (which is usually eight ounces or more with a single shot). It sits between an espresso and a cappuccino in intensity, avoiding the thick foam cap of a traditional cappuccino while delivering more coffee punch than a milky latte.
In Ipoh cafes offering specialty coffee, the flat white has become a staple for customers seeking quality espresso work and precise milk technique, as preparing it requires skill in both extraction and steam-wand control.