15 Jan 2015 US: Starbucks adding ‘Flat White’ to its menu

Most seem to agree that the Flat White was invented in Australia in the 1980s—though some Australians also claim they’ve been drinking it since the ’70s—and the people of New Zealand say the beverage came from their shores. The only thing more hotly debated than the Flat White’s origin story is what the beverage actually is.

What separates it from other espresso drinks is the milk foam. Flat Whites use what’s called microfoam—steamed milk with tiny bubbles in it. When added to espresso, the end result could be described as either a stronger latte or a wetter cappuccino. Some coffee shops even openly admitted that their cappuccinos are so similar to what Aussies call a Flat White that the two are nearly interchangeable.

For Starbuck’s sake, their take on the beverage “will be made from two ristretto espresso shots—which are smaller and more concentrated—topped off with whole milk” and then steamed to a microfoam, according to a company spokesperson.

The drink has been available in British Starbucks since 2010. It’ll be hitting all American stores Jan 6, gaining a spot on the company’s core menu.