Americano vs flat white? How do they compare and which is right for you?
The Americano and the flat white are two of the most frequently purchased coffees available today. The flat white, in particular, has soared in popularity in recent years.
But do you know the difference between these popular coffee drinks?
We’re here to help with the next article in our series of coffee comparisons.
What is an Americano?
Dating back to World War Two, the Americano came about because American soldiers in Italy wanted a drink that tasted like regular coffee. This was achieved by adding hot water to an espresso shot, resulting in a drink that tasted like a strong black coffee.
How is an Americano made?
The Americano is one of the most straightforward coffees to make. An espresso machine is used to prepare the espresso shots, which are poured into a coffee cup. Water is then heated to the same temperature as the coffee and added to the cup.
Depending on how strong you like your coffee drink, you can add more or less hot water to dilute it. If you want your Americano to pack a punch, using a double-shot of espresso will increase the caffeine.
What is a Flat White?
A flat white coffee is a double espresso with a thin, flat layer of steamed milk.
The origins of the flat white are unclear, with competing claims to inventing the drink made by baristas in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.
The flat white is similar to a latte. However, it uses less steamed milk than a latte and is not topped with a thick layer of foam. Instead, the flat white uses microfoam, which is milk that has been steamed to create tiny, velvety bubbles rather than the stiff froth you see sitting on top of a cappuccino.
This microfoam blends directly into the espresso rather than sitting on top of it, giving the flat white its signature smooth, creamy texture throughout the entire drink.
How is a flat white made?
To make a flat white, you use an espresso machine to make a double espresso. Then, milk is steamed to a temperature between 131°F and 143°F and added to the espresso.
The Difference Between Americano and Flat White Coffee
The key difference between an Americano and a flat white is that the flat white has steamed milk added to espresso, whereas an Americano is hot water added to espresso. This single difference changes the taste, texture, calorie count, and caffeine content of each drink.
At a Glance
| Americano | Flat White | |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Espresso + hot water | Double espresso + steamed milk |
| Milk | None (optional) | Thin layer of microfoam |
| Calories | ~15 kcal | ~120 kcal |
| Caffeine | ~63 mg (single shot) | ~126 mg (double shot) |
| Taste | Bold, bitter, earthy | Smooth, creamy, sweet |
| Serving size | 8-12 oz | 5-6 oz |
| Best for | Black coffee lovers | Those who want strength with creaminess |
Taste
An Americano tastes more diluted than espresso and adding hot water breaks down the crema, giving a more bitter taste. It should taste like a strong, black regular coffee with deep, earthy, and nutty flavors.
The flat white is stronger than a latte because less steamed milk is used, and no foam is added. However, it still offers coffee drinkers a sweeter, creamier drink than many other espresso-based drinks. The double shot of espresso combined with the steamed milk gives the flat white a rich, velvety texture and taste.
Caffeine
An Americano typically uses one espresso shot before being topped with hot water. The amount of water used to dilute the drink will only affect the taste, while the caffeine content remains the same. The caffeine in an Americano is determined by the coffee beans used, and the number of espresso shots added.
A flat white will typically have more caffeine than a traditional Americano because it uses a double shot of espresso. Less milk added to the drink will produce a stronger flavor, but the caffeine content will remain the same.
Calories
An Americano contains roughly 15 calories because it is just espresso and water with no milk or sugar. A flat white comes in at around 120 calories when made with whole milk, thanks to the steamed milk content.
If you are watching your calorie intake, the Americano is the lighter option by a wide margin. Switching to skim milk in a flat white brings the calories down to around 70, but it will still be significantly more than a plain Americano.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose an Americano if you enjoy the bold, clean taste of black coffee and want a low-calorie drink you can sip over a longer period. It is also the more versatile option since you can customize it with milk, cream, or flavored syrups after the fact. If you usually order drip coffee or black coffee, the Americano will feel familiar.
Choose a flat white if you want something creamy and smooth without the large volume of milk in a latte or cappuccino. The flat white gives you a strong espresso flavor balanced by just enough microfoam to take the edge off. It is a great middle ground between a straight espresso and a milky latte.
If you are still deciding between espresso-based drinks, our comparisons of Americano vs cappuccino, Americano vs latte, and Americano vs espresso can help you narrow things down further.
FAQs – Americano vs Flat White
You can add milk, cream, sugar, sweetener, or even flavored syrup to change the taste of your Americano, giving you lots of choices.
The flat white is traditionally a sweeter drink because of the steamed milk, but you can still add different sweeteners or flavors if you want to.
You can make an Americano stronger by adding an additional espresso shot. Alternatively, you can strengthen the flavor by reducing the hot water you use to dilute it.
A flat white traditionally uses double shots of espresso, so it is already a strong option. Reducing the amount of steamed milk can make the drink taste stronger.
To make an Americano or flat white at home, you will need an espresso machine and finely ground coffee beans. You will then be able to create your favorite drink in the comfort of your own home.
I’m Joel, an espresso-loving coffee nerd. I got into coffee because I spent a lot of time in Milan as a kid and started liking coffee waaaay too young. I’m all about making sure espresso is treated with the same care as any other coffee – it’s not just a quick drink!
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