Coffee is a full-blown mission for Christian, the Flat White hunter @theflatwhitehunter. Based in Zurich, Switzerland, he travels the world in search of the perfect Flat White—one that meets his meticulous standards of taste, texture, and temperature.

His passion project, The Flat White Hunter, isn’t just about sipping coffee; it’s about documenting the evolution of specialty coffee culture, one cup at a time.

HUDES | Worldwide Digital Magazine for Manual Coffee Brewers

We talk with Christian about his journey, his obsession with Flat Whites, and why he believes Australians have coffee running through their veins.

The story of The Flat White Hunter begins, quite romantically, with Christian’s wife. An Australian, she introduced him to a coffee culture unlike anything he had experienced in Europe.

Christian, Flat white hunter | photo by Christian

“I’ve always been interested in coffee—the process, the origins, what makes good coffee good,” he shares. “But when I visited Australia, I was blown away.

The coffee was just on another level, and the Flat White? Perfect milk-to-coffee ratio. Smooth, balanced, no unnecessary foam. I knew I had found the one.”

A Flat White is basically a smooth and creamy coffee that packs a punch. It’s made with a double shot of espresso and topped with steamed milk, but instead of thick, foamy milk like a cappuccino, it has a thin layer of silky microfoam. This means you get a nice balance—strong espresso flavor with just enough milk to make it smooth. It’s super popular in Australia and New Zealand (where it supposedly started), and if you love a good coffee without too much milk, this one’s for you!

Returning to Europe, Christian realized just how hard it was to find a decent Flat White. The search became a personal quest, and before long, The Flat White Hunter was born. “For me, drinking bad coffee is a waste. Life’s too short for that.”

The Art of the Perfect Flat White

With an MBA under his belt and a barista course in Brisbane on his resume, Christian isn’t just another coffee enthusiast—he’s an educated one. His criteria for a great Flat White are clear:

Coffee-to-milk ratio must be spot on.
Flavor profile should lean towards chocolate, biscuit, and caramel (fruity notes? Not for him).
Balance between acidity and bitterness is key.
Milk temperature should be warm, not scalding. “If I burn my mouth, that’s an automatic fail,” he jokes.

Cow’s milk is his preference, as he believes it enhances the coffee’s natural flavors. “Alternative milks can be great, but some leave a grainy texture. And no one wants that in their Flat White.”

Coffee comes before sightseeing for him. His trips are planned around specialty coffee shops rather than tourist attractions. “It’s the best way to discover a city,” he says.

“You end up in neighborhoods you wouldn’t normally visit, meeting local baristas who really care about their craft.”

So, where has he found the best Flat White so far?

Brisbane, Australia – Coffee Commune: “They really took the time to understand what I was looking for. The variety of beans, the attention to detail—amazing.”
Melbourne, Australia – St. Ali: “Great coffee, great vibes, and absolute legends behind the counter.”
London, UK – Nagare Coffee: “Unexpectedly fantastic. The kind of place you keep going back to.”
Aix-en-Provence, France – Kava: “A hidden gem! Excellent coffee, plus their brunch is top-notch.”

Through his travels, Christian has noticed a stark contrast in how Flat Whites are made across different countries.

“Australia and Asia just get it,” he says. “The baristas are incredibly passionate. It’s like good coffee is wired into their DNA. Europe, on the other hand, is still catching up. The culture is changing, but there’s work to do.”

He’s also observed regional flavor trends. “In Australia, you get more chocolatey, nutty notes. In other places, the coffee is more bitter, and in some regions, fruity notes are trending. It’s fascinating to see how preferences shift.”

The Social Side of Coffee

Instagram has played a huge role in growing The Flat White Hunter community. Christian loves connecting with fellow coffee lovers, swapping recommendations, and discovering new spots through his followers.

“The Aussie coffee crowd is always sending me tips on where to find a great Flat White. Sometimes, coffee shops reach out and invite me to try theirs, which is amazing. I’d love to see more of that!”

His most memorable interaction? Spotting an American actor in a Swiss hotel, curious about The Flat White Hunter shirts he and his wife were wearing. “He asked for a recommendation in Zurich. No idea if he liked it, but hey, at least he asked!”

What started as a passion project is growing into something bigger. Christian has big plans—expanding the team, collaborating with coffee roasters, and maybe even launching an app.

“We’re thinking about curating a global list of the best Flat Whites and specialty coffee shops. There are so many great spots out there, and we want to highlight the best of the best.”

And if he could have a Flat White anywhere in the world right now?

“Tokyo. The coffee culture there is incredible, and their attention to detail is next level. I’d love to sit in a beautifully designed café, chat with the baristas, and soak it all in." (hudes)