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A flat white, distinguished by its velvety texture and balanced flavor profile, requires precision in both espresso extraction and milk frothing. Choosing the right coffee machine for this beloved beverage involves understanding the intricacies of espresso and microfoam milk, as well as the features that enhance these elements.
Here are the best coffee machines for a perfect flat white. Our top picks ensure a barista-quality coffee experience at home.
Best CHOICE
1. Nespresso Citiz Automatic Pod Coffee Machine
The Nespresso Citiz Coffee Machine by Magimix offers convenience and style for coffee lovers. This automatic pod coffee machine features a built-in milk frother, perfect for creating espresso, cappuccino, and flat white drinks.
Its sleek white design complements any kitchen décor, while its user-friendly interface ensures easy operation. With a fast heat-up time and adjustable settings, it delivers a customisable coffee experience.
SPECIFICATIONS
KEY ADVANTAGES
Best Budget
2. Tassimo Bosch Suny Coffee Machine
The TASSIMO Bosch Suny Coffee Machine, is a compact, pod-based machine designed for convenience. It offers one-button operation and Intellibrew technology for precision brewing.
Ideal for various drinks, from espresso to hot chocolate, it features a quick start function and auto-cleaning. The machine is compatible with a wide range of TASSIMO pods, ensuring diverse beverage options. Its ease of use makes it perfect for busy households.
SPECIFICATIONS
KEY ADVANTAGES
Best Value for money
3. Nespresso Gran Lattissima Coffee Machine
The Nespresso Gran Lattissima is designed for coffee enthusiasts who appreciate a quick and convenient way to prepare a range of barista-quality drinks, including flat white, using an intuitive capsule system and automated milk frothing.
SPECIFICATIONS
KEY ADVANTAGES
Best bean-to-cup machine
4. Philips Bean-to-Cup Espresso Machine
This product is among the top coffee machines available. The Philips Domestic Appliances EP5446/70 features a 1.8-litre water tank, an intuitive TFT display, and 12 different coffee customisations.
It boasts a durable ceramic grinder, integrated milk frother, and AquaClean filter, ensuring up to 5000 cups without descaling. The machine also offers five aroma strength settings, adjustable coffee length, and a user-friendly design, making it perfect for coffee enthusiasts.
SPECIFICATIONS
KEY ADVANTAGES
Best Compact Design
5. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie & Milk Coffee Machine
The Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie and Milk Coffee Machine is an excellent choice for flat white enthusiasts. This compact machine features a built-in milk frother, making it easy to create creamy, barista-quality beverages. Its sleek design, quiet operation, and one-touch brewing system provide both convenience and style, making it a perfect addition to any kitchen.
SPECIFICATIONS
KEY ADVANTAGES
Best for Large Families
6. De’Longhi Magnifica Automatic Coffee Machine
The De’Longhi Magnifica Start ECAM222.20.B is a feature-rich, automatic coffee machine designed for perfect flat whites, espressos, and more. This bean-to-cup espresso machine offers convenience and quality with its easy-to-use soft-touch control panel and four one-touch recipes.
SPECIFICATIONS
KEY ADVANTAGES
Key Components of a Flat White
1. Espresso Quality
A flat white is built on a foundation of a strong, well-extracted espresso shot. This means that the coffee machine must be capable of delivering consistent, high-quality espresso. Important factors include:
- Stable Temperature Control: The optimal brewing temperature for espresso is between 195-205°F (90-96°C). Machines with precise temperature control ensure that the coffee is extracted correctly, bringing out the desired flavors without bitterness or under-extraction.
- Pressure Consistency: A stable pressure of around 9 bars is ideal for extracting espresso. Machines equipped with reliable pumps, such as rotary or high-quality vibratory pumps, are crucial.
- Pre-Infusion Feature: This allows for even saturation of the coffee grounds before full pressure is applied, leading to a more balanced extraction.
2. Milk Frothing Capabilities
The hallmark of a flat white is its creamy microfoam. Achieving this requires a machine with superior steaming capabilities:
- Powerful Steam Wand: A commercial-grade steam wand with multiple holes (often two or four) can create the fine, velvety microfoam necessary for a flat white.
- Steaming Power and Control: The ability to adjust steam pressure and flow allows for more control over the frothing process, essential for creating the perfect milk texture.
3. User-Friendly Design
While professional baristas might thrive on complex machines, home users often benefit from intuitive designs:
- Programmable Settings: Machines that allow users to save their preferred brewing and steaming settings can simplify the process.
- Ease of Maintenance: Removable parts, automated cleaning cycles, and descaling alerts help maintain the machine’s performance and longevity.
Features to Look for in a Coffee Machine for Flat Whites
1. Grinder Quality
A high-quality grinder is essential for achieving a consistent grind size, which is critical for proper espresso extraction. Look for machines with built-in burr grinders that offer a range of grind settings.
2. Dual Boiler System
Machines with dual boilers allow simultaneous brewing and steaming, which is particularly useful for preparing multiple flat whites quickly. This feature ensures that both functions can operate at their optimal temperatures without compromising performance.
3. PID Temperature Control
A Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller ensures precise temperature stability during the brewing process. This technology helps maintain a consistent temperature, resulting in better espresso extraction.
4. High-Quality Portafilter
A sturdy, well-designed portafilter ensures even water distribution through the coffee grounds. Commercial-grade portafilters made of brass or stainless steel are preferable.
5. Steam Pressure Gauge
A steam pressure gauge provides real-time feedback on the pressure available for frothing milk. This feature can help users gauge the ideal time to start frothing for the best microfoam texture.
how to make a flat white?
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Prepare the Espresso Machine
- Turn on the espresso machine and allow it to fully heat up. This can take a few minutes depending on your machine.
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Grind the Coffee Beans
- Grind fresh coffee beans to a fine consistency. The ideal grind size is similar to table salt. If you are using pre-ground coffee, ensure it is suitable for espresso.
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Dose and Tamp the Coffee
- Place the ground coffee into the portafilter basket. Use a coffee scale if you have one, aiming for about 18-20 grams of coffee.
- Distribute the coffee evenly in the basket and tamp it down firmly with a tamper. The surface should be level and smooth.
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Brew the Espresso
- Lock the portafilter into the group head of the espresso machine.
- Start the extraction process and aim for a double shot of espresso (around 30-40ml) which should take about 25-30 seconds.
- The espresso should have a rich crema on top.
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Steam the Milk
- Pour cold milk into the milk jug, filling it up to the bottom of the spout. For a standard flat white, use about 120-150ml of milk.
- Place the steam wand just below the surface of the milk and turn on the steam to introduce air and create microfoam. You should hear a slight hissing sound.
- After a few seconds, lower the steam wand deeper into the milk to heat it evenly. Create a whirlpool effect by keeping the milk rotating.
- Aim to heat the milk to 60-65°C. You can use a thermometer or judge by touch—when the jug becomes too hot to hold for more than a few seconds, it’s ready.
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Combine Espresso and Milk
- Give the milk jug a few firm taps on the counter to remove any large bubbles, then swirl the milk to keep it smooth and velvety.
- Pour the steamed milk over the espresso, starting in the centre and then moving outward in a circular motion. Finish with a gentle wiggle to create a thin layer of microfoam on top.
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Serve and Enjoy
- Serve your flat white immediately to enjoy its rich flavour and creamy texture at the perfect temperature.