Flat White Vs Cappuccino – The Differences You Need To Know
Many people are mistaking the Flat White with the Cappuccino, but it’s a completely different drink.
Originating in Australia, the trend has migrated to us in recent years, flooding Instagram with its works of latte art. But what is the difference between Cappuccino and Flat White?
These two drinks have been on the menus of coffee shops for a while now. But, do you know what they are?
Let me make this easy for you. Let me take this slow and break it down for you, starting with flat white.
What exactly is a flat white?
A flat white may be called a wet cappuccino. Starbucks first began selling flat whites in its U.K. stores in 2010 and introduced a speciality drink to America’s coffee shops in 2015.
To explain simply, a flat white is an espresso with steamed milk on top. A milkless iced chocolate drink has less milk than a latte or a cappuccino; the milk in it is not.
Some demand that their beverage is served in an earthenware mug. Some insist it must be made with a ristretto or a short shot of espresso, to produce a more concentrated coffee flavour.
What is a cappuccino?
The coffee culture we know today began in Italy. Sometimes following World War II, Italians began to eschew whipped cream for foamed milk.
An Italian cappuccino is one-third espresso, one-third milk, and one-third milk froth. It is made with an espresso machine and includes a double measure of espresso.
This formula varies greatly across the world. Many large coffee chains serve variants of the cappuccino with more milk and foam. In Italy, cappuccinos are generally only consumed in the morning and not after mealtime.
Flat White vs Cappuccino: Every Difference You Need To Know
Taste
Cappuccino is pretty much an espresso with a bit of milk and foam. On the other hand, a flat white is more creamy and milky than frothy.
The dairy-based beverage is a lot milder and smoother than the creamerless version.
Texture
Cappuccino is frothier and creamier, and the texture is silkier. The creamy milk is more viscous than an espresso topped with foam.
The flat white, thanks to the additional steamed milk, has a smoother texture and gives an added depth to the espresso flavor.
Strength
Both drinks are made with the same amount of espresso. They differ in milk-to-espresso ratio, however. A flat white is slightly stronger than a Cappuccino.
Ingredients
Cappuccino is made with steamed milk; it has minimal foam. It’s derived from Italian culture, and the drink’s name originates from the monks who wore brown robes.
Flat White is made with espresso alone. There’s no milk or foam in this beverage, and it pretty much suits people who are lactose intolerant.
Origin
Cappuccino was originated in Italy, while as for the flat white, it was introduced to Australia and New Zealand a long time back.
Consistency
Cappuccino is a more consistent beverage; you can be assured that it will taste exactly the same every time.
The flat white recipe, on the other hand, is more versatile. It’s dependent on your taste buds and the barista’s creativity.
A flat white can be ordered in a variety of ways. For instance: latte art, with less milk, with soy milk, with coconut milk or almond milk and so on.
Size
A flat white is served in a smaller glass than a Cappuccino.
Price
A flat white is more expensive than a cappuccino as it involves a lot more preparation and works as compared to the latter.
Flavour
Cappuccino is a lot nuttier and it has a hint of cinnamon. The taste of the flat white is a lot more delicate and creamy in comparison to the strong flavour of a cappuccino.
Popularity
Both drinks are equally popular. Depending on the country, a drink is more common than the other.
Cappuccino Recipe
A cappuccino is composed of three major components – espresso, steamed milk, and frothy milk. This means, if you want to make the perfect cappuccino you will need a great coffee maker.
The traditional recipe includes equal measures for each ingredient. There are two types of cappuccinos. One type has more steamed milk than the other and is called a "dry" cappuccino.
The drier version has a stronger coffee taste. The more common version of cappuccino contains two-thirds espresso and one-third steamed milk.
It is also topped with foamed milk that has been sweetened with chocolate or hazelnut syrups.
All cappuccinos are prepared similar to latte, but are fairly different in taste. Latte and cappuccino both use steamed milk, but a latte is not as foamy as a cappuccino.
Put the nozzle into the jug and hold it in place. This will take a few minutes. In regards to the steaming technique rather than heating the milk altogether it is preferable to start heating the jug first.
Then add the milk and blend it with a blender, this will allow for more foaming to occur.
Make sure you have a clean jug with warm milk. The best temperature of milk for a cappuccino is about 65 degrees Celsius or 150 degrees Fahrenheit, when it reaches this temperature then you can begin adding your espresso.
The way to do this is by filtering one and a half spoons of espresso into the jug. Put in a little bit of sugar and stir it well. This will help to aid in the foaming process.
A milk frother can perfectly enhance your cappuccino. Using a frother will give you the most appealing and authentic cappuccino that will be sure to wow all your customers.
This can be done by enabling the machine to work under pressure and for a prolonged amount of time. The pressure should always remain present as this is essential in producing quality foam.
Flat White Recipe
The base of a flat white is with one or two shots of espresso, then topped with micro foamed milk.
Approximately, four ounces of milk is enough to do this. It is important to keep in mind that the flat white micro foamed milk shouldn’t contain any froth.
A technique in applying heat is not set or expected to be concrete, but there are some currently known guidelines for it. Turn the top off and give the milk plenty of air. The temperature should be between 145°F and 157°F.
For a decent pour, start high with a slight milk stream, then, at that point descend and accelerate the stream until you fill up the cup.
Conclusion
Which one would you like? Is it the customary spilled cappuccino or a new-fangled flat white? If you’re in for a more powerful espresso taste, it’s safe to assume you would go for a flat white.
But if you prefer not to stray too far from tradition, an early morning cappuccino might be your choice.
In conclusion, both drinks are equally superb. Possibly, all that really matters is what you enjoy. The two drinks don’t have a set recipe, but their taste depends on your individual preference.
So choose your drink. You might even want to try both of them! Both are basically as popular as each other.
