Starbucks flat white vs cappuccino: is there a big difference?

Starbucks offers a variety of drinks that may confuse customers when trying to decide which one to get. I have seen some of my friends staring blank-faced at the Starbucks menu, attempting to gauge what exactly the many options entail. To clear some of the confusion and provide you with an easier time the next time you visit Starbucks, I have compiled a list of the main differences between Starbucks flat white and cappuccino. Read on to know how the two beverages differ and which one to get on your next Starbucks visit.

What are the differences between Starbucks flat white vs. cappuccino

Features/Starbucks Drink	Starbucks Flat White	Starbucks Cappuccino
Ingredient	Flat White Milk Brewed Espresso Honey Almondmilk Flat White Almond milk Brewed Espresso Honey Blend It is optionally customized with flavors [syrup (hazelnut, toffee nut, brown sugar, caramel, cinnamon dolce, vanilla, toasted vanilla, sugar-free vanilla, or raspberry) and sauces (mocha, new dark caramel, and white chocolate mocha)], toppings, and add-ins.	Milk Brewed Espresso Milk foam It is optionally customized with flavors [syrup (hazelnut, toffee nut, brown sugar, caramel, cinnamon dolce, vanilla, toasted vanilla, sugar-free vanilla, or raspberry) and sauces (mocha, new dark caramel, and white chocolate mocha)], toppings, and add-ins.
Taste Profile	A very rich coffee taste	Bold and sweet taste
Calories	Ranges from 120 to 170	140 in a Grande serving
Sugar Content	Ranges from 13 to 18 grams in a Grande serving	12 grams in a Grande serving
Fat Content	Ranges from 4 to 9 grams in a Grande serving	5 grams in a Grande serving
Caffeine Content	Ranges from 130 to 150 milligrams in a Grande serving	150 milligrams in a Grande serving
Availability/Accessibility	Easily accessible in all Starbucks stores throughout the year	Easily accessible in all Starbucks stores throughout the year
Roast Level	Light roast	Dark roast

Starbucks flat white vs cappuccino – How They Compare

Ingredient

Ingredients determine a drink’s taste and nutritional value. Additionally, you can use ingredients to choose the better option between two Starbucks coffee houses.

When preparing a Starbucks Flat White, the barista combines milk and brewed espresso to give you a drink with a very rich coffee taste. You can choose to customize your drink with flavors [syrup (hazelnut, toffee nut, brown sugar, caramel, cinnamon dolce, vanilla, toasted vanilla, sugar-free vanilla, or raspberry) and sauces (mocha, new dark caramel, and white chocolate mocha)], toppings, and add-ins.

On the other hand, when preparing Cappuccino, a barista creates a perfect balance of the rich and dark espresso with steamed milk and milk foam to give you a one-of-a-kind drink that will keep you returning for more. You can choose to customize your drink flavors [syrup (hazelnut, toffee nut, brown sugar, caramel, cinnamon dolce, vanilla, toasted vanilla, sugar-free vanilla, or raspberry) and sauces (mocha, new dark caramel, and white chocolate mocha)], toppings, and add-ins.

The ingredients for the two coffee houses are the same (milk and brewed espresso). However, Flat White and Cappuccino have different flavors due to different preparation methods.

The Cappuccino wins in this category because it requires more ingredients and a more sophisticated preparation method.  

Taste Profile

Ingredients and methods of preparation determine a drink’s taste. 

Flat White is a blend of steamed milk with brewed espresso to create a drink with a very rich coffee taste. 

The Cappuccino is at the highest level of barista craft; only a highly trained barista can prepare a Cappuccino. When preparing the Cappuccino, the barista must create a perfect balance of rich, bold espresso and light, airy milk foam. The outcome is a drink with a bold and sweet taste. 

Flat white wins in this because it has a stronger flavor than the Cappuccino. 

Calories

Excessive calories might be harmful to your body. Therefore, it is always to keep track of the number of calories you consume. The total should not exceed 2000 calories per day. 

A 16 fl oz. serving of the Flat White has calorie content ranging from 120 to 170 calories; the median average is 145 calories. On the other hand, a 16 fl oz. serving of Cappuccino contains 140 calories.

If you are a person on a weight loss mission, Cappuccino is the best option of the two. Cappuccino wins in this category because it is the healthier option-has lower calorie content than Flat White. 

Sugar Content

Excessive consumption of sugar might be harmful to your body. Therefore, it is always to keep track of the amount of sugar you consume. The total should not exceed 24 grams for women and 36 grams of sugar for men per day. 

A 16 fl oz. serving of the Flat White has sugar content ranging from 13 to 18 calories; the median average is 15.5 grams of sugar. On the other hand, a 16 fl oz. serving of Cappuccino contains 12 grams of sugar.

If you are a diabetic person or are on a weight loss mission, Cappuccino is the best option of the two. Cappuccino wins in this category because it is the healthier option-has a lower sugar content than Flat White.

Fat Content

Excessive consumption of fat might be harmful to your health. Therefore, you should not consume more than 66 grams of fat daily.

A 16 fl oz. serving of the Flat White has fat content ranging from 4 to 9 calories; the median average is 6.5 grams of fat. On the other hand, a 16 fl oz. serving of Cappuccino contains 5 grams of fat.

If you are prone to cardiac issues or are on a weight loss mission, Cappuccino is the best option of the two. Cappuccino wins in this category because it is the healthier option-has a lower fat content than Flat White.

Caffeine Content

A healthy adult should consume at most 400 milligrams of caffeine daily. Excessive consumption of caffeine is harmful to your health.

 A 16 fl oz. serving of the Flat White has fat content ranging from 130 to 150 milligrams of caffeine; the median average is 140 milligrams of caffeine. On the other hand, a 16 fl oz. serving of Cappuccino contains 150 milligrams of caffeine.

If you are a genuine caffeine lover, Cappuccino is the best option of the two. Cappuccino wins in this category because it has higher caffeine content than Flat White. 

Availability/Accessibility  

Not all drinks are available or accessible all year round. Additionally, some drinks may only be available in some Starbucks stores. 

Flat White and Cappuccino are easy to access in most Starbucks stores. Additionally, they are available throughout the year. 

This category is a draw since Flat White and Cappuccino are easily accessible and available throughout the year.

Roast Level

The roast level determines your favorite beverage’s taste and flavor; Light roasts have a strong flavor. On the other hand, Dark roasts have a mild flavor.  

Flat White is prepared with a Light coffee roast, giving it a stronger flavor. Cappuccino is prepared with the Dark coffee roast, giving it a mild taste.

The category is a draw because while Flat White has a stronger coffee flavor, Cappuccino has higher caffeine content. 

Starbucks flat White vs. Cappuccino: A comparison overview

Starbucks Flat White – Overview

The perfect option if you want a drink with a strong coffee flavor. Flat White combines milk with brewed espresso to give a drink with a very rich coffee taste. 

I like not only its one-of-a-kind flavor but also its very rich coffee taste. Additionally, you have the option of customizing the Flat White to what you like. You can add different flavors, toppings and add-ins to make it better.

The Starbucks Flat White is suitable for persons who crave a drink with a moderate calorie, sugar, fat, and caffeine content.

What I liked;

• Its rich coffee taste 

What I didn’t like;

• Limited versions

Who it’s best suited for.

• Best suited for persons who crave a drink with a moderate calorie, sugar, fat, and caffeine content

Starbucks Cappuccino – Overview

The go-to option if you are after a drink with a sweet and bold taste. It perfectly combines brewed espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam.

I liked not only its unforgettable flavor but also its bold and sweet taste. The thin layer of light and airy form makes the drink more sophisticated.

The Starbucks Cappuccino is suitable for genuine coffee lovers who prefer a coffee with moderate calorie, sugar, fat, and caffeine content.

What I liked;

• Sweet and bold taste 
• The thin layer of sweet milk foam

What I didn’t like;

• Its iced version is no longer available 

Who it’s best suited for.

• Best suited for genuine coffee lovers.

Final Verdict: So, Which is better? – Starbucks flat White vs. Cappuccino

Cappuccino is better than Flat White. Cappuccino is the healthier option of the two-it has lower calorie, sugar, and fat content than Flat White. Additionally, it has higher caffeine content than Flat White. Therefore, Cappuccino is better than Flat White. 

Informative Section

Which one tastes better between a Starbucks flat white and a cappuccino?

A Starbucks flat white prioritizes foam over froth and has a silky texture from the smooth foam mixed with espresso shots that give the drink a caramel-like flavor and look. On the other hand, cappuccino is bolder in flavor. Thus, while both drinks are a creamy and indulgent start to any day, flat white tastes better.

Which is healthier between, flat white and a cappuccino?

Flat white drinks have calories that range from 120 to 170, while a cappuccino has140 calories. Therefore, either of the options is healthy depending on the flat white beverage you get; if it has below the 140 cappuccino range, then it is healthier but if it is above this number then a cappuccino is healthier.

Which one has a better texture between flat white and a cappuccino?

A flat white has a silky texture from the smooth micro-foam mixed with espresso shots, thus is smoother with a velvety feel, while cappuccino is creamy and compact with a fine texture. Therefore, a cappuccino has a better texture.

Which one is harder to brew between Starbucks cappuccino and flat white?

A cappuccino is an equal third of milk, espresso, and foam, while flat white has a different espresso to milk ratio, making it harder to brew.