Your interpretation.?

[Leigh]

I was having a rather in depth discussion with my partner the other night, and I now want to hear from others. I am sure that this has been asked before and I am sorry if that is the case, just really interested to hear other opinions.

What is your interpretation of a Flat White? Are FWs & Lattes the same? I know what I do, and to me there is a difference, but according to my partner who is in the technical side of coffee thinks there isnt a difference...

Thanks for your input..

[beanflying]

Re: Your interpretation.?

I think there was a thread a while back on what is a flat white? Found a few (get to know the search function too )

Flat White no foam to 5mm
Cafe Latte 5-10mm of foam
Latte Steamed milk without the coffee

Couple of threads for a read
http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1280742496
http://coffeesnobs.com.au/YaBB.pl?num=1251777809

[Thundergod]

Re: Your interpretation.?

my partner who is in the technical side of coffee thinks there isnt a difference...

Firstly let me say that I agree with beanflyings answer.

Now back to your partners opinion:
How do they explain the different names then?
Do they just think they are interchangeable?
Do they think the only difference is whether or not its served in a cup or a glass?

There are plenty of different ideas out there.
The one that amused me most was that my son told me about how they served coffee at the club where he worked.

Cafe Latte = served in a glass
Flat white = served in a cup
Cappucino = cup served in a cup with chocolate sprinkled on top

In other words they were all the same except as to how they were presented.
It made it easier for the club and their punters were none the wiser.

As for me, I drink flat whites and when Im served I take the spoon every time and check the level of foam.
If its too thick I give them feedback.

[kotaro]

Re: Your interpretation.?

as far as Im concerned..

FW: served in a cup with no more than 5mm of foam, that shouldnt protrude from the rim of the cup, hence flat white.

Latte: served in a glass with 5-10mm of foam, protruding about 2mm above the rim of the glass

not that most customers will notice/care much past the vessel.
thats my $0.02 anyway  : ;D


Edit: so pretty much what BF said

[billybolonski]

Re: Your interpretation.?

Depends where you are.

In most parts of the world a flat white does not exist.

Good luck getting people to agree on a definition.

[GregWormald]

Re: Your interpretation.?

Flat white--caffe latte spilled on the counter. 8-)

Greg

[kotaro]

Re: Your interpretation.?

Flat white--caffe latte spilled on the counter. 8-)

Greg

;D ;D

[EspressoSchool]

Re: Your interpretation.?

Let me pose this question. If you took a perfect caffe latte with 10 mm of foam and poured it in to a flat white cup (a regular cafe style cup) what would happen to the foam depth?

[A_M]

Re: Your interpretation.?

Let me pose this question. If you took a perfect caffe latte with 10 mm of foam and poured it in to a flat white cup (a regular cafe style cup) what would happen to the foam depth?

SChhhhhsssssss


Dont tell them

[Magic_Matt]

Re: Your interpretation.?

I made the mistake of asking for a flat white at a local shop whose new owners had invested in a coffee machine. After consulting a chart behind the counter, the old dear told me firmly "you mean a cafe latte - theyre the same thing!" - ok then!

I got a "flat" white alright though - not much microfoam when the milk is boiled to the point of forming a skin! ;D