Flat White, Latte, Cortado: A Plain Guide
There is a lot of coffee chat out there and, honestly, it can get confusing. If you have ever stood at a counter and wondered what separates a flat white Belfast from a latte, or whether a cortado is just a small cappuccino, you are not alone. At Krumb, we love coffee and we love helping people find their perfect cup. So here is a plain, friendly guide to the espresso drinks on our menu.
Flat White Belfast: Small, Strong and Silky
The flat white is the drink Krumb regulars keep coming back for. It is a double shot of espresso with a smaller pour of steamed milk than a latte, which means the coffee flavour really shines through. The milk is microfoamed to a glossy, velvety texture and poured close to the shot, giving you a smooth, rich result in a small cup.
If you want your coffee to taste like coffee, this is your drink. It is bold without being harsh, and the silky milk rounds everything off beautifully. Our beans come from Lucid Coffee Roasters, and they pull an espresso that is full of flavour, which makes the flat white a genuinely special thing. If you are new to specialty coffee on the Ormeau Road, start here.
Latte: The Longer, Creamier Option
A latte is espresso with a more generous pour of steamed milk, making it longer, lighter and a little creamier than a flat white. The coffee is still there, but it is gentler, sitting comfortably in the background. It is a great choice if you like a milky drink or if you are having something with your pastry or cake and want a coffee that does not compete too hard.
Our lattes work beautifully with our homemade syrups too. A vanilla latte or a caramel latte using our house-made syrups is a proper treat. Oat milk is available if you prefer it.
Cortado: Right in the Middle
The cortado splits the difference between a flat white and a straight espresso. It is a double shot cut with roughly equal parts steamed milk, served in a small glass. The result is intense but smooth, a concentrated coffee experience without the bitterness that can come from drinking espresso neat.
If you know you like strong coffee but want just a touch of milk to soften the edges, the cortado is made for you. It is one of our favourite drinks to make and to drink. There is something very satisfying about a well-pulled cortado.
Cappuccino and Americano: The Classics
A cappuccino is espresso topped with equal parts steamed milk and thick, airy foam. It is frothier than a flat white, with a lighter texture and a slightly different flavour balance. If you like a bit of foam on your coffee and a slightly drier finish, this is your drink.
An americano is simply espresso diluted with hot water. No milk, no fuss. It is a longer, black coffee that lets the character of the bean speak for itself. With our Lucid Coffee Roasters espresso as the base, it is clean, flavourful and a very good way to spend a Wednesday morning.
Which Coffee Is Right for You?
Here is a quick way to think about it. If you want something small and strong, go for a cortado or a flat white. If you prefer a longer, milkier drink, a latte is the one. If you love foam and a classic coffee shop experience, a cappuccino is your friend. And if you just want a proper black coffee without any fuss, the americano does the job brilliantly.
All of our espresso drinks are made on our Lucid Coffee Roasters beans, pulled fresh to order. We also have matcha, hot chocolate and iced coffee on the menu if you fancy something a little different. And yes, oat milk is always available.
Questions We Get Asked
What is the difference between a flat white and a latte?
A flat white uses less milk than a latte, so the coffee flavour is more concentrated. Both use microfoamed milk, but the flat white is smaller and punchier. If you want to taste the coffee clearly, go flat white. If you want something milkier and longer, go latte.
Does Krumb serve oat milk?
Yes. Oat milk is available across all our espresso drinks. Just ask when you order and we will sort you out.
Where does Krumb's coffee come from?
We use beans from Lucid Coffee Roasters, a specialty roaster whose work we really rate. Great espresso starts with great beans, and Lucid delivers every time.
Order online: Lucid Coffee Roasters beans and more on click and collect.
More from the Krumb journal
- Best Coffee on the Ormeau Road Belfast
- Why We Serve Specialty Coffee
- Cafe on the Ormeau Road Belfast
Come and find your favourite cup at 258 Ormeau Road, Belfast, open Wednesday to Sunday, 9am to 4pm. Whether you are a flat white loyalist or still working out what you like, we are happy to help. Order ahead on click and collect, or just pop in. We have got you covered.