Flat white facts for kids
A flat white is a popular coffee drink made with espresso and steamed milk. It's like a latte, but it has less milk foam and a stronger coffee taste. The milk used is called microfoam, which means it's steamed milk with very tiny, smooth bubbles. This makes the milk feel velvety and helps the coffee flavor stand out.
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What is a Flat White?
A flat white is made by pouring smooth, steamed milk into a shot of espresso. The milk has a thin, velvety layer of foam on top, which is why it's called "flat." This is different from a cappuccino, which has a much thicker layer of foam. The goal is to have the rich coffee flavor be the main taste, with the milk making it smooth and creamy.
Where Did the Flat White Come From?
The exact origin of the flat white is a bit of a debate!
Australian Claim
One story says the flat white first appeared in Australia in the mid-1980s. A coffee shop in Sydney called Moors Espresso Bar added it to their menu in 1985. Other cafes in Canberra also mentioned "flat white only" signs around the same time, possibly because of issues with milk frothing.
New Zealand Claim
However, New Zealand also claims to have invented it!
- One claim comes from Auckland, where two people from Cafe DKD created it as a different kind of latte.
- Another story from Wellington says it was invented by accident in 1989. It was supposedly a "failed cappuccino" at a place called Bar Bodega.
How is a Flat White Different?
A flat white is often compared to other coffee drinks. It's almost the opposite of a "dry cappuccino." A dry cappuccino has a lot of frothy foam but not much liquid milk. A flat white, on the other hand, has smooth, liquid milk (microfoam) but very little frothy foam. This gives it a unique texture and taste.
Spreading Around the World
The flat white started in Australia and New Zealand, but it quickly became popular in other countries.
- By 2005, it was being served in the United Kingdom.
- By 2010, big coffee chains like Starbucks started selling it there.
- In 2013, you could find flat whites in Australian cafes in New York City. Even actor Hugh Jackman helped promote them!
- Because it became so well-known, large coffee companies like Starbucks, Costa Coffee, Caffè Nero, and Pret a Manger added flat whites to their menus. Starbucks even launched the flat white in its American stores on January 6, 2015.
Images for kids
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A flat white with feather latte art
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Example of a flat white
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Flat white with latte art
See also
In Spanish: Flat white para niños
