Australian Coffee: Flat Whites and Long Blacks

Australian Coffee: Flat Whites and Long Blacks

Image source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/84864774220385961/

How Coffee Got To Australia

This picture says it all for a country known for things other than coffee, but what you don’t know is, coffee lurks in the shadows of cafe umbrellas and conversations in Australia.

Coffee has been a thing in Aussie land since the 1800s, but it took a while to catch on. Back then, tea was king thanks to the British, and coffee was a fancy treat.

Things changed after World War II when a wave of Italians arrived. They brought their love of strong, espresso-based coffee, and Aussies started digging it. For a while, instant coffee was all the rage, but by the 70s, fresh brews like espresso were taking over. Coffee chains popped up, making fancy coffees more accessible.

Now, Australians are all about specialty coffee and creating and enjoying new coffee trends. Flat whites, cold brew, single-origin beans – you name it, we’ve got it (or maybe even invented it!).

Australian Coffee and Its Loyal Fans 

Forget giant, sugary drinks from Starbucks (Why Starbucks failed in Australia). Unlike Americans who go for big, sweet coffees like frappes and macchiatos, Aussies are all about strong, espresso-style coffee. Here’s the Aussie coffee lowdown:

• Individual Brews: No mass-produced coffee here! Your coffee is made fresh after you order it, so take your time and savor it.
• Smaller Sizes: Think quality over quantity. Their coffees pack a punch and come in smaller cups.
• Strong & Simple: Australians love their coffee bold and straightforward – flat whites and long blacks. Lattes and mochas are popular too, but the true Aussie champion is the flat white! It’s been a favorite for years and for good reason.

It’s true that Kangaroos are found in only one place in the world, but another thing Australia is known for is its “greatest culinary export” is the Flat Whites.

The flat White: It’s a strong espresso drink made with steamed milk. Unlike a latte or cappuccino, it has a thin layer of microfoam, almost like a whisper. The ratio? One-third strong espresso to two-thirds smooth milk, topped with that perfect touch of foam.

Image source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/652459064750303516/

Image source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/19281104649477868/

The difference has a lot to do with the foam. It makes all the difference between it and a latte. According to this article, a flat white’s creamy foam has less volume, but still creamy, has more coffee relative to milk, and comes in a smaller cup.

Australian Coffee Beans Varietals

Aussie coffee beans don’t grow high in the mountains like some others. Instead, they thrive between beach levels and slightly higher, around 650 feet (200 meters). The beans are almost all Arabica, a type known for its smooth taste. Some popular varieties include Catuai, Mundo Novo (a mix of Typica and Bourbon).

Within Australia, there are some regional preferences. Down south in Queensland and New South Wales, they recommend SL14 and K7 beans. Up north in Queensland, K7, Mundo Novo, and SL6 are popular choices, along with Catuai Amarillo, Catuai Rojo, and Kieperson.

Australia’s coffee scene might not be known for fancy, fruity blends just yet. Some people describe their coffee as having a bold, smoky flavor, even a hint of tobacco.

Read another coffee story here [Indonesia]