Flat White, Latte, Cappuccino: What’s the difference?

All milk-based espresso drinks are not created equal! Let’s talk about what makes a flat white, latte, and cappuccino different!

These three drinks are admittedly very similar, and many people question the difference. They are all made up of espresso and steamed milk, and they’re often all offered at the same size. The differences do change the taste of the final product, however!

The most obvious difference between these three drinks is the cappuccino. It possess a larger amount of foam. Most specialty coffee shops aim for the rule of thirds: one third espresso, one third steamed milk, one third foam. Many shops only offer a six to eight ounce capp, and, with this smaller size, they can still pour latte art with the foamy milk.

Often the cappuccino will be served with a spoon, and in many countries it will come with a dusting of cocoa or cinnamon powder, though this is less common in the States. At the end of the day, this drink will have more texture and mouthfeel than the other two due to the larger amount of foam, and the espresso might taste stronger to you as there is less steamed milk to make room for the foam.

Moving from the cappuccino to the latte, the difference between the two is easy to spot. A latte has less foam! It will have espresso, steamed milk, and a thin layer of micro foam on top. This makes the steamed milk the majority of the drink, so the flavor of the espresso is greatly softened by the milk.

Lattes are often offered in multiple sizes. Many specialty coffee shops only offer an eight and a twelve oz., but the more milk you add to the drink, the less you’ll taste the espresso. Another notable difference is that many shops offer the option to add flavors to a latte.

If you order a large latte with a flavor syrup added, you’ll end up with a sweet and creamy drink. However, if you order a small plain latte, you’ll end up with a drink that tastes very similar to the cappuccino with just a bit more milk and a silkier, thinner mouthfeel.

This leaves us with the elusive flat white, a drink that is often difficult to define. The flat white has immigrated from Australia and New Zealand to the U.S. in recent years. With its move, its definition has changed some. Basically a flat white is a tiny latte with a thin layer of velvety micro foam.

If you’re traveling to its countries of origin, you may encounter the flat white in its original context. In these countries it is still a tiny latte with a thin layer of velvety micro foam, but it is an important menu item there as it contains two shots of espresso. In Australia and New Zealand, often lattes only contain one shot.

This difference doesn’t translate so well to the states where specialty coffee drinks all contain two shots of espresso by default. What you will see here regarding flat whites is a small, velvety smooth latte with two shots of delicious espresso. Another important note is the thin layer of micro foam; this will be distinctly different from a cappuccino. Basically the flat white is a small latte here in the states— often it comes as a six ounce drink. Chances are if a specialty coffee shop in the U.S. is offering a flat white, they’re doing so to show off their single origin espressos!

So now you know: a brief breakdown of the differences between flat whites, lattes, and cappuccinos! The best way to learn these differences first hand is to experience them! Go to a specialty coffee shop who knows their stuff and order one of each. You’ll see the differences, or similarities, very quickly!