Short answer
A latte has more steamed milk and a thin layer of foam in a larger cup, so it tastes milder. A flat white is smaller, uses a stronger espresso base and glossy microfoam with almost no foam on top, so the coffee flavour is more pronounced.
Latte or flat white: a latte is milkier, served in a larger cup with a thin layer of foam, while a flat white is smaller, stronger and finished with glossy microfoam. Both start with espresso. The difference is the amount of milk, the texture of the foam and the cup size, which changes how strong the coffee tastes.
What is the difference between a latte and a flat white?
The difference is the milk. A latte has more steamed milk and a cap of light foam, and a flat white has less milk, a thinner and silkier texture and a stronger coffee taste.
| Caffe latte | Flat white | |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso | 1 or 2 shots | Usually 2 shots |
| Milk | A lot, steamed | Less, steamed |
| Foam | Thin layer, about 1 cm | Microfoam, almost none on top |
| Cup size | About 240 to 350 ml | About 150 to 180 ml |
| Taste | Mild, milky | Stronger, coffee-forward |
Cup size varies from cafe to cafe, so the numbers above are typical ranges, not rules.
What is a caffe latte?
A caffe latte is espresso with a large amount of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam on top. The Italian phrase caffe latte means “coffee with milk”, and in Italy it is a breakfast drink made at home.
In North America the word “latte” on its own usually means the cafe version served in a tall cup, often with latte art. The milk is steamed until hot and slightly textured, which gives it a gentle sweetness. Flavoured lattes add syrup, matcha, cocoa or other ingredients.
What is a flat white?
A flat white is a small espresso drink with steamed milk that has been textured into microfoam, a smooth, glossy, almost wet-paint milk with very tiny bubbles. It has a thin white layer on top and is served in a small ceramic cup.
The drink is associated with Australia and New Zealand, where it appeared in the 1980s. The origin is disputed, and both countries claim it. It spread to Europe and North America through specialty coffee and is now widely available.
Which is stronger, a latte or a flat white?
A flat white tastes stronger. With less milk around the same espresso, the coffee flavour stays more concentrated, while a latte dilutes the shot with extra milk.
Strength in the sense of caffeine depends on how many shots each drink contains, not on the milk. If a latte and a flat white both use a double shot, they have the same amount of espresso. The latte just feels milder because it has more liquid. This is a point about taste, not a health claim.
How is the milk different in a latte and a flat white?
In a latte the milk is stretched a little more, so it carries a slightly airier foam. In a flat white the milk is stretched less, then swirled until it looks like glossy paint with no visible bubbles.
For a latte, the barista introduces air for a few seconds, then spins the milk. For a flat white, the air is added briefly and the rest of the time goes into swirling and heating. Milk is usually heated to about 60 to 65 degrees C for both. Above about 70 degrees C the milk tastes burnt and loses its sweetness.
Which should you order?
Order a latte if you want a mild, milky drink in a large cup, and a flat white if you want a stronger coffee taste in a small one. The choice is about preference, not quality.
- Choose a latte if you add syrup, sugar or flavours, because the extra milk balances them.
- Choose a flat white if you like to taste the espresso clearly.
- Choose a latte if you want a drink to sip slowly.
- Choose a flat white if you want something quick and compact.
If the menu does not list a flat white, ask for a small latte with less foam. It will not be identical, but it will be closer to the flat white style.
Can you make a flat white or latte at home?
You can make either at home with espresso and a way to heat and froth milk. A moka pot or AeroPress can replace the espresso machine for a similar result.
- Make a double shot of espresso, or about 60 ml of strong coffee, in a cup.
- For a latte, heat 200 ml of milk to about 60 degrees C and froth lightly.
- For a flat white, heat 120 ml of milk and froth for only a few seconds, then swirl to smooth out bubbles.
- Pour the milk into the espresso, using a spoon to hold back foam for the latte.
- Taste and adjust the milk amount.
A small whisk or a handheld frother is enough for a home version. Pour from a little height at the start and lower the jug as the cup fills if you want a patterned top.
Does Kareza Cafe serve a latte or a flat white?
Kareza Cafe lists a Caffe Latte at $6.24 on Uber Eats, read 14 November 2026, described as espresso, steamed milk and a light layer of foam. A flat white is not on the recorded menu.
For a drink close to a flat white in style, the Cappuccino at $6.24 and the Latte Macchiato at $5.63 are on the same list, but they have different foam and layering. The cafe may offer more than the app shows, so ask in person. The menu and prices page lists the full set, and the hours and location page has opening times. This guide is independent and takes no orders.
How does a latte compare with a cappuccino and a macchiato?
A cappuccino has equal parts espresso, milk and thick foam, a latte has more milk and little foam, and a latte macchiato is milk marked with espresso in layers. All three come from the same espresso base.
The flat white sits close to the latte and the cappuccino, which is why it is easy to mix them up. When you order, the name matters less than the cup size and the foam level, so a short description helps if the cafe uses its own wording.
Common questions
Which is stronger, a latte or a flat white?
A flat white tastes stronger because it has less milk for the same amount of espresso. Many cafes use a double shot in both drinks, but the smaller flat white cup makes the coffee more concentrated.
Is a flat white the same as a small latte?
Not quite. A small latte still has a layer of foam on top, while a flat white has thin, velvety microfoam mixed through the milk. The texture and the ratio of coffee to milk are different.
Where did the flat white come from?
Australia and New Zealand both claim to have invented it, in the 1980s. The origin is disputed, and neither country has settled the argument, so it is safest to call it an Antipodean drink.
Can you get latte art on a flat white?
Yes. Microfoam pours smoothly, which makes it well suited to latte art such as hearts and rosettas. A thin white dot or ring on dark espresso is the typical mark of a flat white.
Which is better with oat or other plant milk?
Both work. Barista-style oat milk foams well and holds up in either drink. In a flat white the milk is noticeable because there is less of it, so choose a plant milk whose taste you like.
Before you go, check the Kareza Cafe guide for the current hours and the menu.
This article is general information from an independent guide, not from Kareza Cafe itself. For the store’s current details see hours and location.