LIFESTYLE

HOW TO MAKE A FLAT WHITE

10.7.19

Good coffee is a luxury, so when you get the time make it count

STEP ONE: CLEAN YOUR EQUIPMENT

It’s incredibly important that your coffee machine or coffee maker, plus all the associated parts and equipment, are sanitised and ready to use. Any dirt, grime or bacteria will ruin the taste of your flat white coffee and potentially do you some harm. Run some water through your coffee machine’s group head as a final step, so that any excess coffee is removed.

STEP TWO: CHOOSING YOUR COFFEE

Choose your freshly roasted coffee. True coffee lovers know that not all coffee is the same.

If you have a grinder always use freshly ground coffee rather than pre-ground coffee, as the latter tends to go stale quickly. If you must buy pre ground, get it freshly ground from the likes of The Roastery, an award winning small batch coffee supplier who will grind it the day they send it to you.

STEP THREE: CHOOSING YOUR CHALICE

Specific coffee types need specific types of cups. The same rules apply to a flat white. You want to choose a cup that is no more than 6.5 or 7 ounces.

STEP FOUR: THE COFFEE GROUNDING STAGE

A coarser grind will allow for faster extraction, whereas a finer grind will slow things down. For a flat white, around 20 seconds of extraction time is optimal.

STEP STEP FIVE: MEASURE YOUR DOSES

Around 18g of ground coffee makes a double espresso shot. With 18g of coffee, you can expect 36g of extracted coffee in your cup.

STEP SIX: DON’T LOOSE YOUR TAMPER OR GET BITTER

Use a tamper to ensure your coffee is level then give a firm press down, this ensures a slow extraction. Always insert your portafilter as you are about to start your coffee extraction. Brewing immediately will ensure heat from the machine does not create any bitter notes.

STEP SEVEN: JUST ENOUGH MILK

When filling your milk jug or pitcher, make sure you pour the milk to just below the spout. This provides enough room for the milk to stretch. Place the steam tip below the surface of the milk, turn the steam on and then immediately lower the jug to achieve an intermittent static noise.

Keep an eye on the milk. You can remove any bubbles from the liquid by tapping the jug on the kitchen side.

When you pour the milk make sure you pure slowly, to allow the coffee and the milk to blend together perfectly. Increase the speed as you go to allow the foam of the milk to rest on top.

THE ROASTERY

The Roastery is an award-winning small-batch coffee supplier, offering coffee subscriptions straight to your door. Freshly roasted and then supplied the following day as whole bean or grounded to your prefered level.

Enter our coupon code ‘FIKitchens2019’ at checkout to get your first bag for just £1 – www.theroastery.co.uk