This is an interesting comparison of three quality drinks. Each one has a unique feature that defines high-quality beverages. All three are brewed using a combination of espresso and milk.
All three drinks come from different origins. Piccolo and flat white originated on the Australian continent, while Cortado is a Spanish drink. Australia and Spain have different coffee cultures.
So, this is basically a comparison of two different and unique coffee cultures.
Cortado vs Piccolo vs flat white: The different cultures
Piccolo and flat white have emerged as the cultural drinks of Australia. Both have become an integral part of Australian coffee culture.
Australian coffee culture emphasizes the balance and quality of espresso with detailed milk texturing.
Flat whites have steamed milk with a microfoam, creating a velvety texture. Strong espresso is added, giving it a unique coffee flavor.
Piccolo latte is made focusing on a strong, pungent flavor. It has ristretto shots and slightly steamed milk topped with bubbly milk foam.
Spanish coffee culture emphasizes social coffee drinking. The Cortado coffee embodies strong bonds in Spanish culture. Espresso serves as the key ingredient for Spanish coffee.
What is the difference in ingredients?
All three share espresso and steamed milk as their key ingredients. Only the volume and brewing style distinguish them.
Cortado
This Flavor balances the drink with equal parts milk and espresso. It includes one espresso shot along with the same amount of steamed milk. Also, it does not require the milk to be foamed or microfoamed.
Also, Cortado can be made with two espresso shots and an equally high volume of steamed milk.
Comparison Table
| Differences | Piccolo | Flat white | Cortado |
| Espresso/ ristretto | 1 ristretto shot | 2 espresso shots | 2 espresso shots |
| Espresso brewing time | Ristretto requires a short pull of 15 seconds | Two shots require 30 seconds | 25 to 30 seconds |
| milk | 40 ml | 150 ml | 60 ml |
| Type of milk | Steamed with light microfoam | Steamed with microfoam bubbles | Only steamed |
| Cup size | 60 ml cup | 200 to 220 ml cup | 150 ml cup |
| Taste | Highly intense and creamy | Thick, creamy, and slightly strong | A balanced flavor with milk and espresso |
| Calories | 40 per serving | 90 per cup | 50 per cup |
| Caffeine | 50 mg | 120 mg | 120 |
| Origin | Australia | Australia | Spain |
Piccolo
This typical Aussie flavor adds a ristretto shot instead of espresso.
Ristretto is a much smaller but more concentrated shot of espresso. A cup of piccolo has one ristretto shot and double the volume of steamed milk with light microfoam.
However, it is prepared in a smaller glass than a flat white and a Cortado. Also, check the difference between cortado vs macchiato.
Flat white
An absolute joy to drink this flavor while you are in Australia. It contains two espresso shots and steamed milk with microbubbles on top.
Microbubbles with a velvety texture create an aesthetic appearance at the top.
Cortado vs Piccolo vs flat white: Is there any difference in the brewing process?
Since all three have almost the same ingredients, there is a slight difference in the brewing methods.
Piccolo latte uses a ristretto shot, and a flat white uses more steamed and foamed milk. Cortado only adds steamed milk.
- Cortado
It has steamed milk and an espresso shot with an equal ratio of 1:1. Unlike a flat white and piccolo, the Cortado has no milk foam or microfoam.
First, prepare two espresso shots and add a similar volume of milk at the top with no foam. A perfect combination of milk to espresso.
- Piccolo
The piccolo adds a ristretto shot and a small volume of milk, different from a Cortado and a flat white. It comes with a ratio of 1:2, coffee to milk.
It requires a ristretto shot to pour into the cup. Milk is steamed, and microfoam is created with slight bubbles at the top. The Piccolo has a much smaller size due to the ristretto than the other two flavors.
- Flat white
This coffee flavor is usually prepared in a larger glass size. A 1:3 or 1:4 espresso to milk ratio is used.
First, it requires two espresso shots. Now, steam the milk to create velvety, silky microfoam at the top.
Café au lait vs Cappuccino vs flat white: A comprehensive comparison among three high-quality flavors.
Cortado vs Piccolo vs flat white: Which drink tastes better?
Piccolo latte, flat white, and Cortado coffee have a great combination of milk to coffee. It depends on what type of taste and texture you prefer.
- Cortado Coffee
This flavor is much stronger and bitter due to a perfect combination of milk to coffee. You can feel the bitterness of espresso and creaminess and the mildness of steamed milk.
Cortado is stronger and more bitter than a Flat white and less intense than piccolo.
- Flat white
It tastes milky and creamier with a hint of robustness of ristretto. Flat white is a great choice if you prefer a milky, foamy drink with an intensity of espresso.
A flat white is a less robust and creamier drink than a piccolo and Cortado.
- Piccolo latte
This drink is exceedingly intense and robust due to a highly concentrated ristretto shot. However, adding double the volume of milk foam makes it less intense and bitter.
In comparison to flat whites and Cortado coffees, piccolo lattes are stronger and more vigorous.
Cortado vs Piccolo vs flat white: Which flavor has fewer Calories?
The milk content determines all the calories in these drinks. Additionally, it depends on the type and volume of milk. Adding whole milk will result in more calories, while using skim milk means fewer calories.
- Cortado Calories
If we add regular milk with no foamed milk, the Cortado has around 50 calories per cup. Since Cortado adds less milk than a flat white and more milk than piccolo latte, it has a balanced calories.
- Piccolo latte calories
There is slightly less milk in it than a Cortado with foamed milk and a lot less milk than a flat white. A piccolo latte has around 40 calories per serving.
However, the calorie content may increase if you add more steamed and foamed milk to it.
- Flat white Calories
Flat white has more calories than the other two flavors. It has almost 90 calories per cup.
However, you can make a lower-calorie drink by adding plant-based milk.
Almond or oat milk sets perfectly well with these flavors.
Which flavor has more Caffeine?
Caffeine comes from espresso shots. You can increase the caffeine content of your coffee by adding more espresso.
The caffeine content of a Flat White and a Cortado is the same, with two espresso shots in each.
A flat white with high caffeine of 120 mg.
Similarly, a Cortado also has around 120 mg of caffeine per cup.
While Piccolo latte adds one ristretto shot has much less caffeine. The caffeine content of a Piccolo is roughly 50 mg.
Shaken espresso vs latte vs cold brew: what are the differences?
Final thoughts: Which flavor to pick?
Each of these flavors has a unique taste and aroma. However, Piccolo latte gives you a similar taste but with a small serving. Piccolo, with the strength of espresso creaminess of milk, makes a standout drink.
However, if you love a more velvety, creamy drink with a larger glass, pick a Flat white.
Cortado has its qualities if you prefer a balance of espresso to milk.