Coffee is becoming an increasingly popular choice for many people. If you’re new to coffee and interested in trying different flavors, here we will discuss and distinguish between various espresso-based coffee drinks.
Flat white, Macchiato, and Cortado are made primarily with espresso. Additionally, all these drinks include milk, which is another essential ingredient. The only difference is the amount and type of milk added to each.
What is a Flat white?
This flavor originated in Australia and quickly gained popularity worldwide.
The blend of espresso and steamed milk with microbubbles on the top creates a uniquely delicious coffee experience.
What is a Macchiato?
Another popular flavor from Italy is dominated by espresso and a splash of milk.
Macchiato has a strong, potent espresso flavor with a slight milkiness that makes it marginally creamy.
What is a Cortado?
A Spanish drink with a perfect balance of espresso and milk. Cortado coffee contains one or two espresso shots with an equal amount of steamed milk.
It tastes creamy and milky with a robustness of espresso.
Now let’s dive into details.
Cortado vs Flat white vs Latte: analyzing the differences
Flat white vs Macchiato vs Cortado: what are the differences?
All three originate from different countries, and each has a strong following. Also, each of these flavors has certain features that make them unique and delicious.
Do they have different ingredients?
A flat white, cortado, and macchiato all have espresso as their main ingredient. They also contain steamed milk. However, the amount of steamed milk can differ among these drinks.
Adding steamed milk lessens the intensity and bitterness of the espresso, while making the flavor creamy and sweet.
- Macchiato ingredients
A macchiato consists of espresso and milk. However, it only adds a slight amount of milk compared to flat white and cortado.
It has two shots of espresso and a dollop of steamed milk on top. However, you can make it with a single shot of espresso and adjust steamed milk accordingly.
- Cortado ingredients
It is made with steamed milk and espresso with a ratio of 1:1. It usually comes with one espresso shot and a similar amount of steamed milk.
However, you can add two espresso shots and the same volume of steamed milk to get a large glass.
- Flat white ingredients
Contrary to the other two flavors, this drink contains more milk than espresso. A flat white consists of one espresso shot and double volume of milk with microbubbles.
Also, like other flavors, it can be made with two espresso shots with double volume of steamed milk.
Is there any difference in brewing?
There are some differences in the brewing process of these flavors.
- Cortado brewing process
Since it contains equal parts of steamed milk and espresso, first you need to make two shots of espresso. You also need to prepare a similar volume of milk, which can be steamed using any available method.
Now gently pour steamed milk into the cup of espresso. Optionally, you can add any sweetener or flavor.
- Macchiato brewing process
First, make two espresso shots using your preferred method; an espresso machine is ideal. Top them with a dollop of steamed or foamed milk. Add steamed milk on top of the espresso shots.
- Flat white brewing process
Similarly, start by making two shots of espresso. A flat white is different from the other two because it requires microbubbles instead of steamed or foamed milk.
During steaming, ensure there’s a thin layer of microbubbles on top. Then, add this velvety, bubbly foam to the espresso shots.
Flat white vs macchiato vs cortado: What is the difference in taste?
All three have slight differences in taste and texture.
- Macchiato Taste
It tastes much stronger and pungent compared to the other two. Macchiato dominates espresso taste with minimal milk presence.
Milk only adds difference to the texture, and gives slight creaminess.
Macchiato dilutes the intensity of espresso with slight sweetness of steamed milk.
- Flat white Taste
It tastes creamy and sweet, with a hint of espresso bitterness.
However, the dominance of steamed and microbubbled milk makes it creamy and bubbly, while still maintaining some robustness of the espresso.
- Cortado Taste
It provides a balanced flavor. Cortado features a rich espresso taste with softer, sweeter steamed milk.
Also, compared to a flat white and macchiato, it offers a much more balanced and smoother taste.
You can enjoy the strength of espresso with creaminess of milk simultaneously.
What is the difference in serving size?
Here is a slight difference in the serving size. However, you customize any of these flavors and make cup size of your own choice. Here is the standard size of these drinks.
Flat white serving size
With one espresso shot and a similar volume of steamed milk, a flat white is typically served 5 or 6-ounce (150 to 180 ml) cup size.
Macchiato serving size
It Macchiato is made with one espresso shot and a dollop of milk; it is served in a 3-ounce (60 to 80ml) cup.
Cortado serving size
Cortado is served in 4 to 6 ounce (120 to 150) cup size.
Flat white vs Macchiato vs cortado: Which flavor has more calories?
A flat white has more calories than macchiato and cortado. However, Macchiato contains fewer calories than cortado.
Macchiato calories
It has the fewest calories among all these flavors. Macchiato has around 20 calories per serving.
Cortado calories
A cup of cortado has around 60 to 80 calories.
Flat White calories
Flat white consists of 100 to 120 calories per serving.
Which drink contains more Caffeine?
Caffeine content depends on espresso size. So all drinks contain similar caffeine if made with one or two espresso shots.
A single cup of espresso comprises 63mg of caffeine.
Macchiato vs latte vs cappuccino vs Americano: Comparison
Final Thoughts: Which flavor to prefer?
All three drinks have amazing taste and texture. You can’t pick one over the other. However, if you love more steamed milk, a flat white is a better choice.
On the other hand, Cortado can give you a perfect balance of espresso to steamed milk.
Also, if you love strong, bold flavor, you can go for Macchiato.