I read today on the Stuff website, that Starbucks in the UK is introducing the Antipodean flat white to its menu. I can only assume that they are trying to jump on the bandwagon of Flat White Cafe, started by Kiwi Eric Hiakita in 2005. Perhaps what Starbucks fails to realise is that there are good flat whites and there are bad flat whites. Even here in New Zealand (land of the flat white), there is a huge range of quality of flat whites served in our cafes. Let's just hope that Starbucks doesn't give our drink a bad name.

Hopefully what the Brits will find, is that there is nothing like a skilled barista to serve up a good cup of coffee and there is nothing like the real thing. If I were in London, I'd be spending my hard-earned pounds in Flat White Cafe.

There is nothing worse than ordering a flat white and ending up with a weak, almost-flavourless coffee made with thin milk. I'm afraid that the Starbucks' version will give the flat white a bad name.

What is a flat white?A flat white is a coffee style originating from New Zealand or Australia (depending on who you talk to). It is a single shot of espresso coffee with steamed milk poured over it, served in a small (around 160ml) ceramic cup.

The sign of a great flat white is a bold coffee flavour and hot, velvety steamed milk.

Read the Stuff article http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/3227267/Kiwi-flat-white-goes-global

Have you in the UK and have tried the Starbucks version of the flat white?

How does it compare with what you get at Flat White Cafe in London or any decent cafe in New Zealand or Australia?