Starbucks Americano vs. flat white: Which One is better?

I wanted a drink with a balanced taste and that has rich coffee flavors. I landed on the Americano and the Flat white, but I had difficulty deciding which one was better. I decided to conduct intensive research and find out which among the two provided better flavor and was healthy and nutritious. In this post, you will understand the difference between Americano and Flat white and learn which drink is better.

What are the differences between Starbucks Americano vs. flat white?

Features	Americano	Flat white
Ingredients	Water, Brewed Espresso	Milk, Brewed Espresso
Taste profile	It has a balance coffee flavor with a distinctive caramelly sweetness. It is slightly bitter with nutty earthly flavors.	It is creamy with a vibrant coffee taste. It is sweet
Caffeine content/Nutritional value	It has 225mg of caffeine in 16 fl oz, 15 calories, 0g of fat, 0mg of cholesterol, 10mg of sodium, 2g carbs, and 1g of protein	It has 130mg in 12 fl oz of caffeine, 170 calories, 9g of fat, 25mg of cholesterol, 115mg of sodium, 14g of carbs, and 9g of protein
Availability/accessibility
Roast level	Espresso roast- medium to medium-dark	Medium to medium-dark

Starbucks Americano vs. flat white – How They Compare.

What it’s made of (ingredients)

Starbucks American is among the most straightforward drinks to make at Starbucks. It is made of rich shots of espresso and hot water. A crema is produced during the mixing process and makes the sips smoother.

On the other hand, the Starbucks flat white is made milk, and brewed Espresso.

The Starbucks Flat white wins in this category because it has milk, an ingredient that makes it rich in nutrients and balances its taste.

Taste profile

The Americano has the rich flavor of Starbucks coffee. It has a balanced coffee flavor, with a distinctive caramelly sweetness characteristic of Starbucks coffee at a medium-level roast. It is also slightly bitter since it is made from espresso shots that have strong caffeine. The water plays a significant role in toning down the bitter coffee tastes.

The flat white is sweet, creamy, and has a rich coffee taste. Although it is made from espresso, it has no hint of a bitter taste because the milk tones it down. The milk contributes to a sweet taste that balances the bitterness in espresso.

The flat white wins in this category because it tastes more balanced. The milk contributes to a sweet and delicious taste. The bitter taste of the Americano may be undesirable, especially to individuals who are not avid coffee drinkers.

Caffeine content/nutritional value

The Americano has 225mg of caffeine in a 16 fl oz, which is a significantly high level of caffeine in a single drink, considering the daily caffeine limit is 400mg. It has only 15 calories which is pretty low and desirable for individuals losing weight. It has no cholesterol and only 2g of carbs.

On the other hand, the Flat white has 174mg of caffeine and 227 calories in a 16 fl oz serving. The calorie counts are slightly high in a single drink, hence an issue of concern. The glass has 9g of protein, which makes it a high-protein and nutritious drink.

The flat white wins in this category because it has average calories and a relatively lower caffeine level and is highly nutritious due to the protein. The Americano has high caffeine content, which makes it unhealthy.

Availability/ Accessibility

The Americano is available throughout the year and is in all Starbucks stores. It is one of the drinks that you can rarely miss. It is also a drink that you can easily make at home, making it more accessible

The Flat white is available throughout the year and in all Starbucks stores. You can order in the cafe, drive-through, or the Starbucks app.

There is no winner in this category because both drinks are easily accessible and are available throughout the year.

Roast level

The Starbucks Americano is made with brewed espresso at espresso roast. The espresso roast is medium or medium-dark, usually at about 410⁰F to 450⁰F. The Arabica beans are roasted until the second crack and turn dark and shiny.

The flat white is also made with coffee from espresso or medium-to-medium dark roast. The coffee beans produce a rich flavor and an excellent aroma at this level.

This category has no winner because both drinks use the same roast level. At this roast level, the coffee is not unbearably intense but provides the actual flavor that you would want in a coffee.

Starbucks Americano vs. flat white: A comparison review

Starbucks americano – Overview

The Starbucks Americano drink is an excellent drink with an actual definition of a stimulant. The high caffeine content will keep your mind focused on attention-demanding tasks. The drink has nutty earthly flavors and lets you experience the rich flavors of unadulterated coffee. The intense coffee flavors are attractive to coffee lovers.

What I liked;

• The rich coffee flavors
• The strong stimulant qualities

What I didn’t like;

• The bitter taste of strong espresso

Who it’s best suited for.

• It is best suited for all coffee lovers, especially for those who are looking for the stimulant qualities

Starbucks flat white – Overview

The Flat white is creamy with a vibrant coffee flavor. It has a sweet hint brought about by the milk and balances out the bitter taste of strong espresso. It is an excellent drink in the morning or during work breaks and gives you a good portion of proteins.

What I liked;

• The rich, balanced coffee flavor and aroma
• The high-protein content

What I didn’t like;

• The cholesterol that comes from milk

Who it’s best suited for.

• It is an excellent drink for an average person who loves coffee but cannot tolerate strong coffee.

Final Verdict: So, Which is Better? – Starbucks Americano or flat white

The Starbucks Flat white is better than the Americano because it has a more balanced taste, flavor, and aroma. The flat white is more nutritious because it contributes 18% of the daily protein requirement for an adult of average weight. Although the Americano has rich coffee flavors, it may be too intense for most people.

FAQ

Does flat white taste better than Americano?

Yes, flat white tastes better than Americano because the milk has a more balanced taste.

Is flat white stronger than Americano?

The Americano is much stronger due to the high caffeine content.

Which one has a better flavor between a flat white and an americano?

The flat white has a better flavor than the Americano because its flavor is much more balanced and not too intense like in the Americano