Comparing popular milk espresso drinks – which one might you prefer?
Sometimes it can seem like we have too many options facing us when we visit a coffee shop, right?
When you have two similar drinks like a Cortado and a Flat White it can be tempting to just go for the option you’re most familiar with, rather than asking the barista for a full explanation and understanding how the coffee is actually made.
Let’s look at these two delicious espresso drinks now in a bit more detail – plus we’ll share how to make the perfect Cortado and Flat White coffee at home!
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What is a Cortado?
A Cortado is usually made up of a 1.5 to 2 ounce (40-60ml) espresso shot, with the same quantity of steamed milk added to ‘cut’ the espresso.
The drink is named ‘Cortado’ because it means ‘cut’ in Spanish – you are cutting the intensity and acidity of the espresso by adding milk.
You may also hear the Cortado referred to as a Gibraltar, particularly on the west coast of the USA – due to being served in a Libbey “Gibraltar” glass” – the 4.5fl oz glass tumbler it is commonly served in.
The Cortado is a small drink with not much milk so the taste of the Espresso remains fairly strong. The Cortado does not traditionally have foamed milk or creamer on top (though some baristas do add it for an artistic flourish).
What is a Flat White?
The Flat White is an Australian creation (though the kiwis argue otherwise!) and consists of a double shot of espresso topped with 4 to 5 oz of steamed milk and a very thin layer of micro-foam.