Flat White – Eh?!

It’s a question that I’ve asked more than once this past week, since Costa announced that they had introduced the flat white onto their menu (and I found out that Starbucks also offer it):

What is the difference between a flat white and a latte?!

In terms of the actual drink as offered in-store, the answer appears to be “not a whole lot”. But there must be something – this surely isn’t just a marketing ploy … is it? So after a little research, my findings are as follows:

The flat white is a little shorter than the latte – by which I mean that there’s not quite so much milk. Hence it’s a touch stronger taste, closer to a latte-extra-shot.

Costa’s bumf states that they stop the extraction a little quicker, which leads to a different taste in the base shot – I guess the idea being that it’s closer to a ristretto? I’ve not come across this distinction elsewhere and to be honest haven’t noticed the Costa baristas pulling their shots any differently, regardless of what the advertising states.

Costa’s bumf also suggests that the milk is textured differently and is ‘folded’; again can’t say that I’ve noticed the baristas doing anything different in practice.

Lastly there’s not supposed to be any froth in a flat white – hence the “flat” part of the name. Here I think there has been a mild difference; my home-made latte tends to end up with a very small layer of micro-foam on top (together with my attempts at a rosetta, which tend to be laughable), whereas a lot of the chain-bought lattes seem to have thicker foam.

Oh – and don’t forget, it’s served in a cup rather than a glass …

So in essence we seem to have come down to:

• it’s a little stronger
• possibly the shot is pulled differently
• possibly the milk is textured differently
• there’s less foam on top
• served differerntly

All of which – in my mind at least – comes down to … not much difference at all …

Costa’s Flat White – First Taste

After yesterday’s failure to snag a flat white, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity this morning whilst waiting for Joshua to finish his piano lesson.

As a side note, it was amusing to see the Costa barista trying out some latte art on the drink – albeit not particularly successful, but frankly who am I to talk? It also explains why Carly-Ann (barista & manager at the Costa near my office) was giving it a go a couple of weeks ago …

Anyway, to the point: what do I think of the drink?

Presentation – quite good, although as noted the attempt at a rosetta is woeful; however, there’s an interesting swirly pattern as a result.

Smell – good odour, hints of chocolate (anyone who’s read the posts this last month will think I’m fixated with chocolate hints – that’s partly true, but to be fair that’s the kind of drink that I’ve had this month!)

Taste – creamy taste from the milk, coffee not as pronounced as I had expected, hints of chocolate (again) with a little something that I’m struggling to identify; pleasant, but possibly a touch weak.

Overall verdict? Nice drink, good taste, basically a slightly stronger version of a latte or a slightly weaker version of a latte-extra-shot. So – apart from the fact that it’s served in a cup rather than a glass – is there any difference between a flat white and a latte?!

Flat White @ Starbucks?

After the discovery that Costa are now selling a flat white in all their stores, I had intended to try one out this morning – not least because I’ve never knowingly drunk one, although from the description I think that technically some of my home-made latte might qualify …

Unfortunately I had to head over to Canary Wharf to meet a solicitor first thing, and didn’t find time to stop and get any coffee from anywhere until after work. Yes it was a struggle, yes I ended up with a very bad headache, no I don’t want to make that mistake again.

Not having any cash with me, and being in possession of a Starbucks rewards card with some credit left on it, I stopped off in a Starbucks on the way home to get a couple of latte-extra-shot drinks (one in a takeaway cup to drink immediately, one in my travel mug to drink on the train – never let it be said that I’m not prepared …)

To my surprise, whilst waiting for the drinks to be prepared I noticed a sign behind the counter proclaiming that a flat white could be mine for the princely sum of £2.20. Do Starbucks also do a flat white in all their stores now? Did they start offering them before Costa? Is this the latest move in the great coffee-chain war? And most importantly, is there really that much difference between a flat white and a latte?

Anyone who knows, or thinks they might, please post a comment.

The Case of Costa & The Flat White

On Tuesday I  wondered what Costa’s “Cofee Lovers Unite” teaser could be about.

Turns out the answer is … they’re now doing a Flat White.

Never having had a flat white, I’m not really sure how it differs from a latte – maybe a little stronger due to it being shorter? Maybe the milk texture is a little different? Looking forward to trying one in the morning to find out …