It generally has a higher proportion of espresso to milk than a caffè latte, and lacks the thick layer of foam in a cappuccino.

[3] According to New Zealand tourism, flat whites are more commonly served in a smaller cup (175 ml, 6.2 imp fl oz).

[16][17] A second New Zealand claim originates from Wellington as a result of a "failed cappuccino" at Bar Bodega on Willis St in 1989.

[15] Craig Miller, author of Coffee Houses of Wellington 1939 to 1979, claims to have prepared a drink known as a flat white in Auckland in the mid-1980s, using a recipe from Australia.

[15] The flat white is similar to a cappuccino, which is a single espresso with heated milk and a layer of thick foam served in a 150–160 ml (5.3–5.6 imp fl oz) cup.

[1] The flat white is similar to a caffè latte, which is espresso with steamed milk added, served in a glass.

[6] In the UK, the phrase flat white economy has been used to describe London's network of internet, media and creative businesses.