Chain Reaction

New Zealand-invented coffee the flat white will now be offered to British Starbucks customers from December 7, the first new type of coffee the company has offered to British consumers since it opened up shop in Britain more than a decade ago. Alan Hartney, Starbucks’s coffee ambassador in Britain, said: “I love the taste. The quality of the milk gives it a sweeter taste and velvety texture. And it brings out the caramel taste of the espresso.” New Zealander Eric Hiakita, the manager of Soho coffee shop Flat White, is considered to be the first man to start serving the drink in London. Hiakita said he did not feel threatened by Starbucks’s move. “It all comes down to the quality of the coffee. And frankly the big chains just can’t train up their staff to the high standard needed. “Comparing us with Starbucks would be like comparing Gallo wines to Petrus.” Flat White opened in September 2005.