The World of Specialty Coffee
What is a Flat White? How Does it Compare to a Dirty Latte?
The pursuit of new tastes in coffee by endlessly varying the methods of brewing black and white coffee leads to exciting new flavors. The popularity of white coffee among new and seasoned coffee lovers is down to the fact that it is easy to drink, emanates an alluring aroma and may even display decorative art on the head. Reasons enough to be the no.1 choice. We would like to introduce you to two white coffee varieties; the flat white and dirty latte, two blends that will tempt you to think again before choosing your favorite latte or cappuccino.
What is a Flat White?
Flat White is an espresso or ristretto (a stronger coffee shot than an espresso) made with steamed milk and a smooth, thin layer of milk foam (but less than that of a latte) hence its name, a ‘flat white’.
This smooth milk coffee style was first created in Australia and remains a popular choice to this day, likewise in New Zealand. A flat white has a richer coffee flavor than a latte but still maintains a serve of hot, steamed milk – a real milk coffee. It is suitable for those who enjoy a latte but who may prefer a larger blend of real coffee with a soft, smooth taste.
Conveniently, you can easily make this style of coffee at home with the NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto® capsule coffee machine, saving you the effort in preparation of making your favorite coffee. A black coffee serve from the NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto® capsule creates the coffee base for the flat white.
What is a Dirty Latte?
Dirty latte, perhaps contradictory in terms, originates from Japan, the land of the rising sun.
This new coffee style is becoming popular, creating exciting taste sensations with every sip, notably, the mix of hot and cold temperatures within the same glass. A dirty latte is blended with two-thirds of fresh, cold milk topped with a shot of espresso or ristretto. The espresso shot must be poured slowly and with care. This ensures the coffee flows through the low-temperature milk and is served in a clear glass where the two visibly separated layers can be enjoyed. After a short time, the coffee gradually flows through the milk so it becomes ‘dirtied’, a term referring to the darkening of the color of the coffee.
A dirty latte has much to appreciate. In one small cup, from the first sip, you can experience the intensity in flavor of the coffee beans, savor the aroma and delight in the cool, sweet smell of milk as the flavor mellows. This perfect blend of milk with a shot of coffee is a new experience for you to enjoy many times over.
You can easily make this coffee menu at home with the NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto® capsule coffee machine. A black coffee serve from the NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto® capsule creates the coffee base for a sense of home-made coffee satisfaction.
The Difference between a Flat White and A Dirty Latte
Both flat white and dirty latte are unique but distinctly different styles, despite both being based on a milk coffee.
Brewing method
| Flat White : | pour an espresso or ristretto shot followed by hot, steamed milk without the milk foam. |
| Dirty Latte : | pour fresh, cool milk with an espresso or ristretto shot at top of the glass. |
Milk temperature
| Flat White : | high temperature milk (hot, steamed milk) |
| Dirty Latte : | low temperature milk (chilled milk) |
The order of adding a shot espresso or ristretto
| Flat White : | add a shot of espresso or ristretto before brewing the other ingredients. |
| Dirty Latte : | pour a shot of espresso or ristretto on top of the glass to allow the coffee to gradually flow through the milk, resulting in a ‘dirtied’ or darker milk color. |
Difference in taste
| Flat White : | gives a rich taste like milk coffee; a mellow blend of coffee and milk. |
| Dirty Latte : | a strong-tasting first sip and then becoming enjoyably lighter, offering a variety of flavor in one glass. |
It is undeniable that the flat white and dirty latte coffee styles have become firm favorites. Their strong flavor blended with milk expresses perfectly the charm of drinking milk coffee.
Treat yourself to a cup or two and become your own barista, easily made at home in minutes.
