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Flat white

A double shot of espresso with 140–160ml of finely textured milk, usually served at 165ml volume. Australian-New Zealand origin, debated between the two.

Category: Coffee Drinks — Australian Menu

A double espresso shot with 140–160 ml of finely textured milk (silky microfoam, minimal volume), usually served in a 165–200 ml ceramic cup. Australian-New Zealand invention, with both countries claiming origin.

Why it matters — The flat white is Australia's national coffee drink and one of the country's biggest cultural exports. It defines how Australian cafés steam milk, how they pour latte art, and how they think about milk-coffee balance.

Good to know

  • The flat white has a thin (3–5 mm) layer of microfoam — substantially less than a cappuccino, slightly more than a latte if you compare proportionally.
  • Higher coffee-to-milk ratio than a latte. If the milk dominates, it's not a flat white anymore.