Flat White (8oz) Recipe

Time7m

Serves1

Make Flat White (8oz) Recipe in just 7m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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1
Preheat and dose
Preheat your cup by filling it with hot water; discard just before pouring espresso. Grind 18 g of espresso beans to a fine grind suitable for espresso (should feel slightly gritty, not powdery).
2
Tamp and brew
Distribute the ground coffee evenly in a 18–20 g double basket, then tamp with steady pressure until level. Lock the portafilter into the group head and start extraction immediately. Aim for a 1:1.5–1.8 brew ratio (about 30–33 ml of liquid espresso) and an extraction time of 25–30 seconds. Brew directly into the warmed 8 oz cup if space allows, otherwise brew into a short pitcher and pour into the cup.

3
Prepare milk and equipment
Pour 160 ml whole milk into a chilled milk pitcher. Purge the steam wand briefly to remove condensate. Wipe the wand with a clean cloth.
4
Texturing milk
Submerge the steam wand tip just below the surface of the milk and turn on the steam to introduce a small amount of air for about 3–4 seconds to create microfoam. Then fully submerge the tip and position the pitcher to create a whirlpool. Continue steaming until milk reaches 55–60°C (130–140°F) or until the pitcher side is hot to the touch but not scalding. Aim for velvety, glossy microfoam with very small bubbles. Tap the pitcher on the counter and swirl to integrate foam and liquid milk.
5
Pouring
If you brewed espresso into a pitcher, pour the espresso now into the warmed cup. Hold the cup at a slight angle. Begin pouring the milk from slightly higher (about 8–10 cm) to sink the silky milk into the espresso. As the cup fills and a creamy layer forms, bring the pitcher spout close to the surface and pour with a steady, controlled motion to create a small latte art pattern or a smooth flat surface. A traditional flat white has a thin (around 3–5 mm) layer of microfoam — stop pouring when the cup is about 3–4 mm from the rim so you have an 8 oz drink with a thin foam topping.

6
Wipe any spills and serve immediately while hot. Enjoy the flat white with about a 120–160 ml combined beverage volume (espresso + steamed milk) and a thin, velvety microfoam on top.