Caffé Latte and Flat White are definitely the most ordered espresso-based drinks in coffee shops all over the world, but what are they really?
Have you ever wondered what the difference between a Caffé Latte and a Flat White is?
I have to Google it every single time I am standing in front of my machine or looking at the wall in a cafe to remember which is which.
I made this post so I might actually remember it this time. From the hand to the head, like they used to say back in school!

Caffé Latte

Caffé Latte or simply a Latte is an espresso-based drink consisting of one or two shots of espresso and lightly steamed milk.
Traditionally, it was served in a tall glass, but these days it is more common to drink it from a larger cup. The number of espresso shots has also evolved over the years; the traditional Latte is served with just one shot in a 250 ml glass, but in recent years, drink sizes have gotten a bit larger, so you often get your Latte in a 350 ml mug with two shots of espresso.
One thing that is similar between a Latte and a Flat White, but different for a Cappuccino, is the amount of foam – Lattes and Flat Whites should have less foam while a Cappuccino has more.
So what exactly is less? It really depends on which cup, mug, or glass the drink is served in (the amount of foam is usually larger in glasses than in cups), but these amounts would be my standards:

  • Caffe Latte 1-2 cm foam
  • Flat White 1-2 cm foam
  • Cappuccino 2-4 cm foam

As the name suggests, Caffe Latte is coffee with milk (Caffé = coffee, Latte = milk) and the drink is quite milky and mild in coffee flavor.
It is perfect for someone who is just starting to drink coffee, or for someone who likes a larger coffee and wants less coffee taste in their drink. Lattes are also often the base for flavored espresso drinks like Caramel Lattes, Cafe Mochas, or Vanilla Lattes.

Flat White

The Flat White originally comes from Australia, unlike almost all other espresso-based drinks that originate from Italy. Flat Whites are often served in a glass, but it is also common to drink them from a small mug. The size of a Flat White should be around 200 ml and it is always served with two shots of espresso, which gives it a slightly stronger coffee taste compared to a Latte or a Cappuccino. As the name says, the amount of foam should be as minimal as possible (about 1 cm).
Little foam and more espresso make the Flat White the perfect drink for latte art, and you can create a great contrast between the double espresso and the lightly steamed milk.

I would recommend a Flat White for someone who is more used to the taste of coffee and is looking for something stronger. Personally, I prefer Flat Whites whenever I happen to order something with milk in a cafe.

Cappuccino

The Cappuccino gets its name from the Capuchin friars because the color of their robes resembles the color of the surface of the Cappuccino.
Cappuccinos are almost always served in a 150-200 ml cup with one shot of espresso.
What sets the Cappuccino apart from the Latte and Flat White is the amount of foam – it should be twice as much, with a layer 2-4 cm thick on top of the drink. There used to be a 1-1-1 standard for Cappuccinos: 1 part espresso, 1 part warm milk, and 1 part foam. But I think that standard is outdated.

There is a funny rule about Cappuccinos in Italy – you should not order a Cappuccino after 11 AM because Cappuccinos are considered breakfast drinks since they consist of a lot of milk and are seen as heavy.

What is your favourite Coffee?