What is a flat white?

As explained by Le Picnic, a flat white is an espresso with steamed milk and a thin layer of micro-foam, more concentrated in espresso than a classic latte. The result is a shorter, smoother cup with a strong coffee flavour.

What is the best milk for latte art?

Whole milk often gives a more stable foam that's easier to work with for latte art, but the result also depends on technique. Le Picnic prepares its coffees with regular, lactose-free or oat milk, depending on your preference.

What is the difference between a caffè latte and a latte macchiato?

In a caffè latte, the espresso is poured first and the milk blends in evenly. In a latte macchiato, the milk dominates the cup and the espresso is poured on top instead, creating visible layers.

What is a cappuccino?

The cappuccino is similar to the latte, but it generally contains more foam and less liquid milk, for a lighter, airier texture. It's a good option if you like thicker foam than a flat white.

Where can I get a latte or flat white in Drummondville?

Le Picnic, at 3025 Saint-Joseph boulevard in Drummondville, prepares eleven coffees on site, hot or iced, including the latte and the flat white. The store is open every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., handy for grabbing your coffee on the go.

All articlesNovember 1, 2026 · 3 min read

Latte or Flat White: What's the Difference?

Latte and flat white: what changes in the cup

Both drinks start from the same espresso, but what ends up in the cup is pretty different.

| Drink | What's in it | Taste and texture | |---|---|---| | Latte | Espresso, a good amount of steamed milk, thicker foam | Smooth, creamy, more subtle coffee taste | | Flat white | Espresso, less milk, very fine micro-foam | More concentrated, silky texture, pronounced coffee taste |

Basically, the latte is the softer, milkier version. The flat white is made for people who want to taste the espresso first.

How to choose based on your taste

Here are a few simple tips to help you decide at the counter:

Do you like a smooth coffee, almost sweet on the palate? Go for a latte.
Do you want to actually taste the espresso without it getting lost in the milk? The flat white is for you.
Still not sure? Ask for a small size to try it without any risk.
Do you like an extra flavour? Both drinks pair well with a flavour of your choice, like vanilla, caramel or hazelnut, including sugar-free options.

There's no single, universal recipe for these two coffees: every shop adjusts its own proportions. What matters most is finding the texture that suits you.

At Picnic in Drummondville: where to try both

At Picnic, the Coffee made on site, hot or iced service covers eleven different drinks, including filter coffee, americano, espresso, mocha and, of course, the latte and the flat white. You choose your milk, regular, lactose-free or oat, and you can add a flavour if you're in the mood.

It's a great option when you're on Saint-Joseph boulevard in the morning, running errands, or even late in the evening since the store is open every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. You'll find all the details to get there on the find us page.

The latte's cousins: macchiato, cappuccino and americano

To better place the latte and flat white among the classics, here's how they compare:

The latte macchiato puts the milk front and centre: the espresso is poured on top, creating visible layers in the glass.
The cappuccino is similar to the latte, but with more foam and less liquid milk, for a lighter, airier texture.
The americano has no milk at all: it's simply espresso lengthened with hot water.

Each of these drinks gives a different result even though they all start from the same base espresso.

A coffee that fits right into your morning stop

Coffee is rarely enjoyed alone. At Picnic, you can pair your latte or flat white with a Picmuffin, a filled croissant or a baguette sandwich for breakfast. Later in the day, there's also pizza by the slice and homemade dishes like pâté chinois or spaghetti, handy when you don't feel like cooking. And since it's also a neighbourhood grocery store, you can leave with fruits and vegetables, a bag of ice or whatever's missing for supper, all in one stop. For more ideas on coffee and meals to go, check out the blog.

See the coffee menu