Latest news with #flatwhite
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Tiny airport sign sparks heated coffee feud between Australia and New Zealand
Aussies are up in arms after a very bold claim was spotted at Wellington International Airport in New Zealand. The offending sign pokes at our national pride in the form of a good flat white, and where exactly it originates from. It reads: 'Home is where the flat white was really invented' and, unsurprisingly, it didn't go unnoticed by Sydney comedian Tom Cashman, who posted a now-viral video calling out the claim as 'disinformation'. 'I'm from Sydney,' Tom said in the clip, which has now amassed over 850,000 views. 'If you know anything about flat whites, you'll know they were invented in Sydney. So I thought the sign was just a joke for our plane. But then I realised, it's permanent. They actually believe it!' For those unaware, the flat white is a beloved espresso-based drink that features silky steamed milk and a shot (or two) of strong coffee - a staple on Aussie café menus from Melbourne to Byron Bay and beyond. And while the trans-Tasman battle over who invented pavlova and Crowded House is nothing new, this latest dispute has reignited tensions like never before. According to Tom (and a quick dive into Wikipedia), Australia's claim goes back to 1983, when a Sydney café named Miller Treat first referenced a 'flat white' in a review. The drink gained popularity across Sydney's buzzing coffee scene, and by 1985, it was a menu staple at Moors Espresso Bar. Even Parliament House in Canberra reportedly had a sign reading 'flat white only' during a milk froth shortage that same year. One version involves an Auckland café whose owners admit they heard the term from a friend who worked in Sydney. Another blames a botched cappuccino in Wellington in 1989, years after Sydney's documented origins. A third story, from an Auckland barista-turned-author, says he was serving a flat white in the mid-80s using, ironically, an Australian recipe. 'What are we even talking about here?' Tom said. While the Kiwis continue to push their claims, the paper trail overwhelmingly points back to Sydney as the birthplace of the beloved brew. Tom doesn't hold back in his video, even joking that Wellington Airport is waging a 'disinformation campaign' with its flat white sign - and calling on the Australian Defence Force to 'invade Wellington and remove it with physical force'. According to Tom (and a quick dive into Wikipedia), Australia's claim goes back to 1983, when a Sydney café first referenced a 'flat white' in a review, whereas new Zealand's was referenced as 1989 He also throws shade at Contact Energy, the New Zealand company behind the airport display, noting that its biggest shareholders are in fact, major US corporations. Meaning the 'Kiwi claim' might not be so local after all. 'This story really escalated,' wrote one fan on his video. 'You're single handedly keeping investigative journalism alive in Australia,' another joked. 'This is disinformation being spread by a foreign-owned company,' Tom added. 'Is it even legal to have this much disinformation at an airport?!' While the debate over the flat white's true origin may never be fully settled, one thing is clear, this isn't just about coffee. It's about national identity, bragging rights, and the sacred ritual of a morning brew. And for Australians, especially those from coffee-obsessed Melbourne and Sydney, the idea that the flat white didn't originate here is nothing short of sacrilege. All that said, Tom did make one last comment and it was surprisingly in New Zealand's favour. 'I do like the fact that the flat whites in Wellington seem quite strong.' One thing's for sure, the next time you order a flat white, be prepared to sip it with a side of controversy.
The Guardian
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
‘My one special treat': Guardian Australia readers react to rising costs of cafe coffee
Whether it's a ritual or a mild addiction, coffee is a non-negotiable for some Australians. So when news broke that flat whites might cost $10 by the end of the year, it sent a chill down spines around the nation. Increased coffee bean prices and the overall cost of doing business are driving up the price of coffee everywhere. So, curious if price hikes would cause Australians to forgo their daily brew, we put a callout to readers. Analysing over 300 responses, it's clear buying a coffee means more to Guardian Australia readers than just the caffeine hit. While most said they still plan to buy takeaway coffee, for most it is no longer a daily purchase. 'Buying a proper coffee used to be an everyday thing for me,' wrote Nadia. 'A ritual I couldn't imagine not having. But since the cost-of-living crisis, it's no longer manageable.' Most readers have noticed an increase in takeaway coffee prices, ranging from 50c to $2. As a result, they said they have become pickier with how often they are buying out. Most are saving their cafe coffee for social situations, such as when working in the office or catching up with friends. 'Coffee is such a crucial part of Australian social life and culture. You often meet friends and acquaintances and even professional colleagues at cafes and it is hard to get out of buying a coffee during these meets,' wrote Sagar. Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning Readers who aren't limiting their intake are budgeting accordingly. 'Coffee is my one special treat each day,' said Sloane. 'My coffee budget comes out of my 'fun spending' money.' She said she'd rather sacrifice a dinner out or a fashion item than go without coffee. Other readers said creeping prices are becoming harder to justify. An anonymous reader wrote: 'I do feel extremely guilty drinking my coffee. It is so expensive and getting more difficult to rationalise … I do not tell my colleagues that I buy a coffee daily.' Although many are feeling the burden of pricier takeaway coffees, readers remain faithful to their local cafes. 'Our closest cafe is an important establishment in the community,' wrote Anthony. Overwhelmingly, readers said they will continue to buy coffee from cafes if prices keep rising. Jacob, Anne and others point to the social aspect. 'It's not just about the coffee. It's a peaceful place – a little community. You can chat to people that you might not normally interact with,' wrote Jacob. Sign up to Saved for Later Catch up on the fun stuff with Guardian Australia's culture and lifestyle rundown of pop culture, trends and tips after newsletter promotion 'I will not be changing this [habit] even if the price doubles. In the local neighbourhood, a coffee is more than a cup of liquid. It is an interpersonal interaction,' said Anne. This resonatedwith readers who work from home or remotely. Peter wrote: 'More often than not, [it's] the only in-person interaction I'll have all day.' Many readers also stressed the importance of supporting their local cafes and were happy to pay more to do so: 'The best cafes are the ones that bring the community together, if those places go under due to financial stress … then the small financial loss I feel when I buy the coffee will be surpassed by the larger cost to the community and quality of the areas we live in,' wrote Anthony. Whether or not people continue to buy coffees out, around half of the readers who responded said they are making coffees at home more frequently. Many, such as Kiri, established a set-up during lockdown. 'Our coffee habits really changed through Covid and we started using our home espresso machine every day,' she wrote. 'Since then I haven't gone back to buying coffee on a daily basis.' Others have just established their home cafe, such as Danielle who no longer buys coffee out. 'I recently bought a home espresso machine. The machine will pay for itself in three weeks of no takeaway coffees.' These set-ups range from French presses and moka pots to espresso machines with plenty of add-ons, which Katie said was 'all quite normal for inner Melbourne'. Unfortunately more than half of readers could not name a place that offers a decent yet affordable coffee, with some turning to convenience store cups. 'If I really need one … the 7-11 stuff isn't bad!' wrote Erin. Office coffee machines were also another cost-effective option for some readers, though with less positive results. 'I now either bring my coffee from home or I use the instant sachet coffees at work,' wrote Rosa. 'They all taste worse and are more for need than enjoyment.' Others would rather opt out entirely. 'Bad-tasting coffee isn't worth it even if it's cheap,' wrote Andy. For most, it's either coffee or nothing. When asked if they were seeking out alternative drink options, readers responded with a resounding no. The mere suggestion was too much for Maria: 'Every time I drink tea I just think, 'I wish you were coffee.''
The Guardian
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Tell us: will you continue to buy takeaway coffee as prices rise?
Australians take coffee seriously, so much so that we perfected it through the humble flat white (although New Zealanders may beg to differ). But local coffee culture, admired around the world, may be under threat. A perfect storm of increased wholesale coffee bean prices, supply chain issues and other rising overheads are driving up the price of cafe coffee. One industry figure suggested takeaway coffee prices could reach $10 by the end of the year, though others say increases this steep are highly unlikely. Meanwhile Breville recorded a lift in at-home coffee machine sales earlier this year. In Sweden, coffee catch-up culture is already changing. Could Australia be next? Tell us in the form below. Please include as much detail as possible. Please include as much detail as possible. Please include as much detail as possible. Please include as much detail as possible. Please include as much detail as possible. Please include as much detail as possible. Please include as much detail as possible. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. If you're having trouble using the form, click here. Read terms of service here.
