Cortado vs Flat White: Difference and Which One Should You Order?

Coffee lovers, welcome! If you’ve ever found yourself standing at the coffee counter, eyeing two drinks with a little uncertainty, you’re not alone. The cortado and flat white have become staples in coffee shops worldwide, but they can often confuse the uninitiated. Both are delicious espresso-based beverages, but they differ in their ingredients, textures, and overall experience.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into the details of cortado vs flat white, uncovering the key differences and helping you decide which drink best suits your taste buds. Whether you’re a fan of strong, bold espresso or a smooth, creamy coffee experience, understanding these differences will ensure your next coffee break is a satisfying one.

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What is a Cortado?

A cortado is a short, strong coffee drink that originated in Spain and Portugal. It’s one of those drinks that’s simple yet packs a punch. If you love the richness of espresso but don’t want the sharp intensity that a straight shot can bring, a cortado might be the perfect choice for you.

Ingredients and Preparation:

• Espresso: At the heart of a cortado is a shot of espresso.
• Steamed Milk: What sets the cortado apart from a straight espresso is the addition of steamed milk. However, unlike a latte or cappuccino, the milk is added in equal parts to the espresso, which balances out the strength of the coffee.
• Milk-to-Espresso Ratio: Typically, the ratio is 1:1 – an equal amount of espresso and milk, making it stronger than a flat white but smoother than a solo espresso shot.

Serving Size and Presentation:

• Cup Size: A cortado is typically served in a small cup (around 4 oz).
• Appearance: The drink is served in a small glass, allowing you to see the rich, creamy texture of the milk and espresso combined.

Tasting Notes:

• The cortado offers a bold and intense coffee flavor, with the milk adding a creamy smoothness that softens the espresso without overpowering it.
• You’ll experience the rich, bold taste of the espresso, but with a velvety finish from the milk.

Here’s a quick summary in a table:

Feature	Cortado
Origin	Spain/Portugal
Key Ingredients	Espresso, steamed milk
Milk-to-Espresso Ratio	1:1 (equal parts)
Flavor Profile	Strong espresso flavor, creamy finish
Serving Size	4-5 oz (small cup)
Texture	Smooth, velvety milk with bold coffee

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What is a Flat White?

The flat white is a coffee drink that originated in Australia or New Zealand (depending on who you ask). It’s a smooth, creamy, and milky coffee that’s perfect for those who enjoy a softer, milk-forward coffee experience.

Ingredients and Preparation:

• Espresso: The base of the flat white is a double shot of espresso, providing that rich, robust coffee flavor.
• Steamed Milk: The key difference between a flat white and a cortado is the use of microfoam. The milk is steamed to create a smooth, velvety texture that’s not as thick as a cappuccino’s foam but still adds creaminess to the drink.
• Milk-to-Espresso Ratio: The ratio of espresso to milk in a flat white is typically 1:3, so there’s more milk, creating a creamier, milder flavor compared to a cortado.

Serving Size and Presentation:

• Cup Size: A flat white is typically served in a slightly larger cup (around 6-8 oz).
• Appearance: The drink features a layer of microfoam on top, giving it a silky smooth texture with a slight glossy finish.

Tasting Notes:

• With its higher milk content, a flat white is creamier and has a smoother, more velvety texture than a cortado.
• The flavor of the espresso is balanced by the creamy milk, creating a rich, mellow taste that’s not as intense as the cortado.

Here’s a breakdown of the flat white in a table:

Feature	Flat White
Origin	Australia/New Zealand
Key Ingredients	Espresso, microfoam steamed milk
Milk-to-Espresso Ratio	1:3 (more milk)
Flavor Profile	Creamy, smooth, balanced taste
Serving Size	6-8 oz (larger cup)
Texture	Velvety microfoam, milk-forward

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Key Differences Between Cortado and Flat White

Now that we know what makes a cortado and a flat white unique, let’s compare them side by side. These differences can help you decide which drink suits your mood, whether you’re craving something intense or smooth.

1. Milk-to-Espresso Ratio

• Cortado: With a 1:1 ratio of espresso to milk, a cortado has a stronger coffee flavor. The milk is just there to soften the espresso’s sharpness without diluting its bold taste too much.
• Flat White: The ratio here is 1:3, meaning there’s much more milk, which creates a creamier texture and a smoother coffee taste. The result is a balanced coffee flavor with a milk-forward taste.

2. Milk Texture

• Cortado: The milk in a cortado is steamed to create a smooth, velvety texture but does not have the frothiness or airiness that other drinks, like a cappuccino, might have. It’s thicker due to the equal milk-to-espresso ratio.
• Flat White: The milk is steamed to create microfoam, a silky smooth foam with tiny bubbles. The microfoam texture is smoother and frothier, contributing to the drink’s rich, creamy feel.

3. Flavor Profile

• Cortado: The flavor is stronger and more intense because of the higher proportion of espresso. It’s ideal for those who enjoy the boldness of coffee but prefer a softer taste than a straight shot of espresso.
• Flat White: The flat white has a smoother, more balanced flavor. The higher milk content softens the espresso’s intensity, creating a coffee drink that is rich and creamy with a mild espresso flavor.

4. Serving Size

• Cortado: Typically served in a smaller cup, usually 4-5 oz. This small serving size highlights the boldness of the espresso.
• Flat White: Served in a slightly larger cup, typically 6-8 oz, allowing the microfoam and espresso to blend more seamlessly.

5. Origin

• Cortado: The cortado has its roots in Spain and Portugal, where it has long been a favorite drink to balance out the strong flavor of espresso.
• Flat White: This drink originated in Australia or New Zealand, and while it’s relatively new compared to the cortado, it has gained massive popularity worldwide, especially in coffee shops.

Here’s a comparison table for a quick overview:

Feature	Cortado	Flat White
Milk-to-Espresso Ratio	1:1 (stronger coffee flavor)	1:3 (creamier, milk-forward taste)
Milk Texture	Smooth, velvety milk	Microfoam, silky and frothy
Flavor Profile	Bold, intense espresso flavor	Balanced, smooth, milk-forward
Serving Size	4-5 oz (small cup)	6-8 oz (larger cup)
Origin	Spain/Portugal	Australia/New Zealand

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Which One Should You Choose?

Choosing between a cortado and a flat white depends on your personal coffee preferences and the kind of experience you’re seeking. Here are a few things to consider:

For Espresso Lovers

• Cortado is perfect if you love the bold, full-bodied flavor of espresso but want a bit of creaminess to round it out. The equal milk-to-espresso ratio maintains the richness of the coffee while softening its intensity just enough.

For Creamy Coffee Lovers

• If you prefer a creamier, more velvety texture, the flat white is your drink. The microfoam creates a smooth, frothy mouthfeel, and the higher milk content balances the espresso, making it less intense and more mellow.

Caffeine Content

• Both drinks use espresso as their base, so the caffeine content is similar. The difference lies in the milk: the cortado’s stronger espresso might give you a more direct caffeine boost, while the flat white’s larger milk volume may make the caffeine feel a little more diluted, even though it contains the same amount of espresso.

So, which one should you choose?

• Go for a Cortado if you want a drink that puts espresso front and center with just enough milk to round it out.
• Go for a Flat White if you want a smooth, creamy drink that still lets the espresso shine but offers a more milk-forward experience.

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How to Make a Cortado vs Flat White at Home

Now that you’re familiar with the differences, why not try making these drinks yourself? Here are simple recipes for both!

Cortado Recipe

1. Brew a shot of espresso.
2. Steam 1 oz of milk to a smooth, velvety texture (remember, no foam, just milk).
3. Combine the espresso and steamed milk in a small glass or cup.
4. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Flat White Recipe

1. Brew a double shot of espresso.
2. Steam milk until it creates microfoam (smooth, creamy, and velvety).
3. Pour the steamed milk over the espresso, ensuring the microfoam blends evenly.
4. Serve in a 6-8 oz cup and enjoy the velvety goodness!

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Where to Order Cortado and Flat White

Both drinks are becoming more widely available, but if you’re unsure where to get them, here are a few places you can find them:

• Cortado: Popular in specialty coffee shops, especially in Spain, Portugal, and parts of Latin America. Many coffee chains around the world, like Starbucks, offer cortados as well.
• Flat White: Found in Australian/New Zealand-inspired coffee shops worldwide. It’s a popular choice at coffee giants like Starbucks, and local specialty cafes often offer it.

Many cafes now specialize in these drinks, so a quick search of local coffee shops or chains in your area should help you find a great place to try them out.

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Conclusion: Cortado vs Flat White

In conclusion, both the cortado and flat white are excellent choices, but they offer different experiences. Whether you prefer the boldness of the cortado or the creamy, velvety smoothness of the flat white, each drink offers something unique.

So, why not try both and see which one you prefer? There’s no right or wrong choice—just what suits your mood and taste buds! Let us know in the comments below: are you team Cortado or team Flat White?

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Bonus: Fun Coffee Facts

• Cortado: The word “cortado” comes from the Spanish word “cortar,” meaning “to cut,” referring to the way the milk cuts the espresso’s intensity.
• Flat White: The flat white gained major popularity in the US during the coffee boom of the early 2000s, even though it’s been a staple in Australia and New Zealand for decades.

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