Prepare For The Best Flat White Of Your Life

Cafendo/Blog/Prepare For The Best Flat White Of Your Life

First off… What is exactly a flat white?

Some might think that it is very appropriate, even identical, to a cappuccino. But as you guessed by now, this is not true. The difference? Cappuccinos have a light foam and usually hot water added to them. In the case of a flat white, they are made up from pure espresso, either single or double shot, and a velvety microfoam, which lays the great canvas for making latte art.

It is believed that the flat white was invented in Australia and New Zealand, where the coffee drinkers decided they wanted to jazz up their usual coffee made at home. Therefore, it can not be too complicated.

What do you need?

First and foremost, a coffee machine. We know there are people out there that prefer to prepare their coffee through other methods, but for this one, you will need the coffee maker. Or at least, a milk steamer.

Then, it might be obvious, but you also need a really good espresso. If you are trying to figure out just exactly how good, think about the fact that the type of coffee will almost completely determine the taste of your beverage. This is because you will not be adding any extra flavored syrups (unless you really want to).

How do you do it?

Now, how do you end up with microfoam? This is where the milk steamer we mentioned earlier comes to play. First, fill your milk jug with as much milk as you want. As a guideline, you will need about a cup of milk for each cup of flat white. Also, remember that the milk will double in size once you finish the process. Then, purge the steam wand by briefly turning it on - this will make any excess water leave the system. After that, position the tip of the wand just below the surface of the milk, and also at about a 15-degree angle. Once you have placed it correctly, turn on the steamer at full pressure. Now, you will stretch the body of the milk by playing with the tip of the wand at its surface. You will notice that the volume of the milk will slowly start to increase, so make sure that you keep the wand only slightly submerged. Keep in mind that it is a delicate procedure that only takes a few seconds, and it might be hard to figure out at first. You know you are doing it right when it sounds like a sheet of paper tearing softly.

After you have noticed that the level of the milk has raised by about two-thirds, submerge the wand further below and hold the jug at such an angle that it provokes a furious spin, mixing the bubbles that you have just created with the rest of the milk. All this time, remember to keep your hand on the side of the pitcher. You will know that the whole process is done when it becomes too hot to touch, or when it reaches 67 degrees Celsius.

Once you remove the pitcher, remember to always clean your wand, as you do not want to end up with some funny smells the next time. All you need to do is purge it lightly as you did before you started, and then wipe it with a damp cloth. Then, swirl and knock the pitcher once or twice. You might have seen baristas doing this before, and it is because this way you can dislodge any large bubbles that might have appeared. Your final product should resemble glossy, wet paint.

Even though it might look marvelous, do not waste too much time. Pour the milk into the coffee as soon as possible, before it has the chance to separate. From here on, it gets pretty simple. All you need to do is hold the jug close to the surface of the espresso and pour confidently. You can also place a finger on either side of the jug, for better control, as even the slightest movement of your wrist will end up in latte art.

This is about it! The key is getting the milk just right, and this is totally achievable if you practice a couple of times. Then, go ahead and have fun with your latte art! There are many tutorials on a lot of fun designs out there, so do not be afraid to experiment!