Rough coffee - history of appearance, recipes, composition and calorie content of the drink

What is raf coffee? A brief history of the creation of the raf coffee recipe

Strictly speaking, raf coffee is not coffee as such. This is a coffee cocktail drink, initially consisting of espresso, cream and vanilla sugar. Although raf can hardly be considered coffee. The most delicate sweet drink is much closer to desserts.

The Moscow coffee shop “Coffee Bean” is considered to be the birthplace of the raff coffee recipe. The drink got its name in honor of a regular customer nicknamed Raf (or Rafael), who first asked to make this coffee cocktail for him. This event took place in 1996, and since then this simple coffee recipe has won several prizes in various coffee competitions. And also the love of all coffee lovers.

Author of the recipe

The history of Raf coffee dates back to approximately 1997, when coffee shops just began to appear in the post-Soviet space. A Coffee Bean mini-cafe has opened in the center of Moscow, its area more reminiscent of a small shop. The main highlight of the establishment was the coffee machine, which saves time for preparing a flavorful drink.

In addition to classic espresso, the menu included other recipes based on it. A variety of drinks attracted regular and new visitors, among whom was a gourmet named Raphael. The man did not like the bitterness of espresso, and the taste of cappuccino seemed too creamy, so he asked the waiters to brew coffee to order - moderately sweet and soft.

The barista of the mini-coffee shop combined a shot (standard portion) of traditional espresso, low-fat cream, vanilla sugar and whipped the resulting mixture in a heated cup using a steamer, then served it to Raphael.

The guy was very pleased, and the new recipe aroused the interest of other cafeteria regulars. In order not to indulge in long explanations, when ordering they said: “For me, like Raf.” A couple of months later, the request was reduced to “Raf coffee,” and the establishment’s employees added an unusual recipe to the permanent menu.

Don't miss: 10 interesting facts about coffee that you might not know

The name of the person who invented the innovative cocktail has sunk into oblivion - the information on the Internet is quite contradictory. Some sources name three employees of the cafeteria at once, who then went to work at Coffeemania. Others credit the recipe to the two-time Barista Championship winner. Be that as it may, fans of the delicious drink are grateful for the successful experiment with familiar ingredients.

Is raf coffee a Russian cappuccino or a Russian latte?

The answer is negative; it is a mistake to equate raff coffee with a latte or cappuccino.

Milk is added to lattes and cappuccinos, and cream along with vanilla sugar is added to raf. A different product creates a completely different taste.

In addition, the cooking technology is fundamentally different.

Latte is a “puff” drink. The layers are created in the sequence: heated milk - black coffee - whipped milk foam. It is understood that the layers should not be mixed.

The technology for preparing cappuccino involves preliminary frothing the milk using a cappuccino machine (or another method). And after receiving milk foam, the product is poured into the prepared espresso coffee.

Unlike these drinks, which are actually a type of coffee with milk, raf is not just coffee with added cream. Unlike most coffee recipes, here the cream is whipped right along with the coffee. The result is a drink with a delicate vanilla-creamy foam.

How to Serve Coffee Drinks with Orange Juice

Rough coffee is usually served in porcelain cups, similar to cappuccino. The cups are warmed up in advance. Rough coffee can also be poured into huge transparent glasses, like a latte macchiato. This way the drink will look especially appetizing thanks to the creamy, airy foam.

A coffee drink with orange slices, juice or zest can be prepared using another method. For example, cream is not combined with other ingredients, but is added at the end, forming a beautiful air cap on top of the drink.

It is better to garnish coffee with orange slices. You can sprinkle cinnamon on top of the airy foam: this will give the drink an appetizing appearance and add an unusual tart note to its smell. Orange iced coffee poured into glasses looks great.

Various recipes for raff coffee with orange

Classic ingredients of orange raff coffee:

espresso 50 ml,
cream 11% 100ml,
vanilla sugar 5 g,
sugar 5 g,
orange juice - 2 teaspoons.

To make the drink, it is better to take freshly squeezed juice. All ingredients are added to the pitcher and whipped. If you need to prepare a larger volume of coffee, you can take 2 espresso shots.

Coffee drink with orange and hot chocolate

The recipe for coffee with orange and hot chocolate is one of the favorite drink options. The ingredients are the same as in the previous version, plus 100 ml of chocolate and a pinch of cinnamon.

There are 2 drink options. In the first case, all ingredients are whipped together, as it should be when developing raff coffee. In the 2nd option, instead of juice, an orange slice is taken and placed at the bottom of the cup, then chocolate and coffee are added and, finally, whipped cream with a pinch of cinnamon is added.

Coffee with orange liqueur

Orange liqueur and coffee mix well in this drink. The recipe contains ingredients for 4 servings. This coffee drink will come in handy on a winter evening in a cozy company of friends:

strong coffee - about 500 ml,
orange liqueur 150 ml,
a pinch of orange peel powder,
whipped cream 100 ml,
one orange slice per serving.

According to this recipe, coffee is combined with liqueur, and whipped cream with zest is placed on top. The composition is completed with an orange slice. The perfect design of drinks is very important: the breathtaking taste and smell of coffee with citrus notes will give a real holiday, and a unique presentation at the table will add charm to the moment.

Coffee with cinnamon and orange

Many recipes that combine coffee and orange juice also contain cinnamon. This strong-smelling spice complements the drink very well, and coffee with orange and cinnamon is constantly popular.

Orange coffee with cinnamon for two is prepared using the following ingredients:

coffee 500 ml,
orange,
ground cinnamon - teaspoon,
sugar 30 g,
chocolate,
cream 200 ml.

Coffee is boiled for 20 minutes together with cinnamon and orange, cut into slices. Half the sugar is added to the coffee a few minutes before it is ready, the rest of the sugar is whipped with cream.

Coffee is poured into glasses, cream is added, and grated chocolate is sprinkled on top. In order to easily grate a chocolate bar, it must be cooled in advance.

Coffee with spices and orange zest

When making coffee drinks with orange, you can improvise. Any recipes, including the very idea of raff coffee and other options for drinks with coffee, are the result of creative searches, culinary trials and tests. You don’t have to limit yourself to just one spice; the recipe for coffee with orange zest includes cinnamon, vanilla, and cloves.

This coffee contains the following ingredients:

ground coffee - 4 teaspoons,
water 150 ml,
orange zest - half a teaspoon,
cinnamon - a quarter teaspoon,
a little vanilla and cloves.

All ingredients are mixed and coffee is prepared in a Turk or coffee maker. The drink poured into cups is decorated with whipped cream and orange slices.

If desired, and taking into account personal preferences, one of the spices can be changed. Cardamom, nutmeg, and ginger mix harmoniously with coffee. But when adding spices to a drink, it is always recommended to keep in mind moderation: they should only enrich the smell of coffee, and not change it.

Making coffee and tea with the addition of orange juice.

Once upon a time, an unknown bartender from Rio de Janeiro prepared coffee with coffee with the juice of a ripe orange. An invigorating cocktail with an unusually subtle taste soon gained popularity around the world. Now it is included in the menu of almost every establishment in Europe and America.

Composition and sequence of preparation of the drink

Ingredients for preparing raffe coffee per 150-160 ml of drink:

espresso -25ml;
vanilla sugar – 5g (one teaspoon);
10-15% cream – 100ml;
sugar – 5g (one teaspoon).

To comply with the cooking technology, a pitcher is used.

Reference: a pitcher is a special vessel for frothing milk to obtain milk froth.

The cream is preheated using steam or some other method (some even recommend using a microwave). Then pour into the pitcher along with espresso coffee, sugar and vanilla sugar. Using the steam vent nozzle, everything is whipped until the most delicate foam appears.

We will tell you further about how to prepare raff coffee at home.

The appearance of a new coffee drink, raf, in Russia gave rise to a lot of experiments to find the most successful recipes and combinations of ingredients.

This is how variations arose at first:

for the base - choice of standard or double espresso
for serving method - in a small cup or in a large glass
sweetener – vanilla sugar only or both vanilla and regular sugar
according to the preparation technology - classic with heated cream and whipping with a steam vent, or without whipping with cold cream simply poured into the coffee.

However, the boundless imagination of coffee making professionals and amateurs has created not only unique raf recipes. Variations of the technology have been tested and found to be quite acceptable, making it possible to prepare the drink at home.

Recipes with various flavors

Classic raf coffee is very delicate and light in taste, but for true connoisseurs of coffee drinks, there are recipes that can diversify the taste of coffee. You can experiment with the drink, add new spices and syrups, as well as non-traditional ingredients (orange juice, lavender, etc.). In this article we have collected several variations of such unusual recipes. Among them, everyone will find something to their liking.

Citrus

If you are watching your figure or just want to eat only healthy foods, then citrus raf will be an excellent option for you. Orange juice helps speed up the metabolism in the body and also rids the body of accumulated toxins. For preparation, the same ingredients are used that are in the classic drink, however, you will need to replace vanilla sugar with 20 ml of orange juice. It is necessary to add fresh juice at the stage of mixing all the components (clean it of pulp first), and all other steps are carried out as for the classic recipe.

Honey

This is another variety of raf for those who want to adhere to a healthy lifestyle.

In this case, instead of sugar, honey is added to the coffee drink, which increases the human body’s immunity. In addition, the drink becomes even softer and more tender. To prepare this option you will need: - 50 g of ready-made espresso; - 100 g low-fat cream; - 1 teaspoon of honey.

Add ready-made espresso, heated cream and honey to the cup, and then whisk the whole mixture. Serve in a cappuccino cup, which can be decorated with cinnamon. During the cold season, this is an excellent warming drink.

Walnut

In coffee shops, this type of raf can be seen under the names peanut raf or Snickers. It is much less common to find, but if you like to experiment, try making it at home - the results will truly surprise you. Here the recipe is slightly different from the classic preparation of raffa: you additionally need to add peanut butter, which in its fat content will replace cream. Ingredients:

Espresso;
100 g milk;
1 tablespoon peanut butter;
Syrup or cane sugar to taste.

When choosing peanut butter, it is better if it is produced in America - it contains the highest concentration of nuts, which means it will give the coffee the expected aroma and shade. First, the paste must be diluted in a small amount of clean water - the resulting mixture should be similar to sour cream. Then add the syrup here, mix everything and pour into the pitcher. Add warmed milk to this mixture as well. At the same time, prepare fresh espresso and add to the already prepared mixture. Beat all ingredients with a blender or whisk. Next, choose decorations to your taste and serve.

Lavender

If you are looking for a drink that will help you relieve stress and get rid of negative emotions, then an excellent option would be to add lavender to the raf, which is an alternative to vanilla in taste. The taste of these additives is almost the same, so they can be combined in a coffee drink - it all depends on the result you would like to get. Lavender is also commonly used as a substitute for regular sugar. Take as main ingredients:

1 teaspoon of coffee for making espresso;
100 g water;
100 g low-fat cream;
1 teaspoon regular sugar;
Half a teaspoon of dried lavender (available at the pharmacy).

Brew espresso in a convenient way. Mix the lavender with sugar, and then grind this mixture with a coffee grinder until smooth. Add the resulting mixture to espresso, then add hot cream and froth the resulting mixture. After this, you can serve the finished drink to the table, and for greater effect, you can additionally decorate the coffee with an orange slice or lavender flowers.

Raf cheese coffee

If you are a big cheese lover, then you will definitely like this option. Cheese raff has a subtle piquant flavor and an unusual combination of modern cooking methods. In order to prepare raf, you will need:

50 g cream cheese (soft variety);
10 g low fat cream;
2 teaspoons coffee;
2 glasses of clean water;
A pinch of salt;
Spices to taste (nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, black pepper are suitable);
1 teaspoon sugar.

Coffee can be prepared with or without spices. Add cheese to the cream and beat the mixture with a whisk or blender to obtain a homogeneous mass. Then pour the mixture into the pitcher along with espresso and sugar and whisk the resulting drink. As a result, you will get a lush and tasty version of raffa with a beautiful foam. Almost any type of cheese is suitable for this recipe (you can take cottage cheese, mascarpone, Philadelphia or processed).

Banana

The banana version of the dessert has become widespread in Russia. Most coffee lovers prefer it precisely because of its soft and light taste, as well as its unusual aroma. This drink will appeal to both men and women: in fact, it plays the role of a separate dessert that will bring joyful and positive emotions to your day. What will you need to prepare it?

Ready espresso (you can use a Turk or strain coffee);
100 g cream 10%;
Half a banana;
1 tsp sugar.

First you need to grind the banana using a blender or manually with a fork. Cream, freshly brewed espresso and sugar are added to this mass. The resulting drink must also be blended with a blender until smooth. Coffee is best served in a tall glass, and whipped cream on top is a great addition.

Raf with halva

The main idea of this drink is to replace sugar with halva. If you add a solid dessert, then 25 grams will be enough for you; you will need to add 20 ml with syrup. Also, for the drink, prepare 150 ml of cream and a fresh shot of espresso. You can also add 10 ml of nut syrup for taste.

Coconut rough

If you practice vegetarianism, then this drink option is right for you, since it is based on coconut milk and not cream. This product is sold in most stores, or you can make it at home using coconut flakes. The recipe is similar to classic raf, but instead of cream, coconut milk is added. You can additionally decorate the drink with coconut chips or shavings on top.

Mint raf

To cool yourself down on a hot summer day, try making mint raff. You will need:

100 ml espresso (double shot);
100 ml low-fat cream;
2-3 tsp. Sahara;
A sprig of mint.

First, grind the mint in a blender until smooth. Then add cream, coffee and sugar to this mixture and beat the resulting mixture for one minute. This cocktail is best served in a tall glass and topped with a mint sprig. You can also complement the dessert with several blueberries or blueberries - it is better to chop them together with mint for new shades of flavor.

Chocolate raf

This is a classic drink that will please any sweet tooth. Chocolate and cream are a great combination for coffee. For preparation it is used:

A shot of fresh espresso;
50 g milk or dark chocolate;
100 ml low-fat cream;
1 spoon of vanilla or traditional sugar;
A little cinnamon.

Let the espresso brew, and at the same time melt the chocolate in a water bath or in the microwave, and also heat the cream. All components are mixed and whipped using a mixer. Then pour the drink into a large glass or cup - you can add a little cinnamon on top.

Raf gingerbread

For the winter period or just a cold evening, raf gingerbread is perfect. Vanilla syrup is used here instead of sugar. It is also recommended to add Gingerbread syrup (20 ml will be enough), 150 ml of low-fat cream and a shot of espresso as additional ingredients. Use whipped cream and candied fruits as decoration.

Classic cooking raf in the version of its authors

First of all, espresso coffee is prepared at the rate of 25 ml per 150 ml serving of drink. Then you need to add vanilla sugar to the cream and heat it. Mix the espresso with the hot creamy vanilla mixture and whisk everything well until foamy. It is best to whip with a cappuccino maker, but if you don’t have one, you can beat with a blender or just a whisk. In the latter option, you will have to beat for quite a long time. However, we need to achieve a light, airy foam, because it is this that gives the drink its vanilla-creamy taste and delicious coffee aroma. Rough coffee is served in a large cup or in a clear latte glass.

Subtleties of making raf coffee

To get a high-quality drink with a smooth and uniform structure, you need to know some secrets of the craft.

The structure of the drink depends on the whipping method. Coffee shops have powerful professional coffee machines; their cappuccino makers whip up raf to form high foam. The cappuccino maker of a home coffee machine may not have enough power, and the foam will be weaker.
Experts advise using a traditional cappuccino maker for frothing coffee, rather than an automatic one. A mixture of coffee and cream can clog the tubes of the automatic cappuccino maker with tiny coffee particles.
As a result of the manipulations, you should get a delicate, homogeneous drink, smooth structure, with soft and high foam. The taste of raffa is creamy vanilla, with a bright coffee aroma.
Want a larger portion? Then increase the volume of cream and take two shots of espresso. Even if you only have 150 ml of cream and not 200, then still add double the amount of coffee. Otherwise, the taste will be too weak and inexpressive.
Initially, raf was whipped directly in a cup. Modern baristas often do this in a pitcher and then pour the drink into warmed glasses.
Cream that is too heavy is not suitable for this recipe; the taste will be oily and the texture will be heavy. Therefore, it is better to dilute cream with a fat content of over 15% with skim milk or even water.

How to cook at home

Over time, many varieties of raf coffee have appeared. For example, it is possible to take not only espresso as a basis, but also Turkish coffee, coffee prepared in a French press, in a coffee maker, or even instant coffee. Cream can be replaced with full-fat milk, and instead of vanilla sugar, cane and ground vanilla or vanillin can be added separately.

Making raff coffee is quite possible at home. In this case, you need to brew espresso in a coffee machine, coffee maker or coffee pot, and then mix it with the rest of the ingredients in the pitcher. Even in the absence of modern coffee machines, you should not refuse this cocktail. You can use a coffee pot and a regular whisk.

Strain the brewed coffee until the foam appears. Together with slightly warmed cream and other ingredients, beat in a blender until foam appears.

Every raf starts with a classic

There can be two ways to prepare the base of classic raf coffee:

professional – using a modern coffee machine;
home - using a carob coffee machine or brewing coffee in a Turk.

Using professional equipment, classic raf is prepared as follows:

Ingredients:

50 ml quality espresso;
100 ml of fresh cream, fat content no more than 10%;
1 teaspoon sugar;
1 teaspoon vanilla sugar.

Preparation:

The cream is heated a little and all the sugar is added to it. The finished espresso and sweetened cream are poured into the pitcher. Then, using the steam outlet-cappuccino maker, which is provided in the coffee machine, beat the cocktail until fluffy. Pour into a tall transparent glass or large ceramic cup. The surface is decorated with topping.

Help: The pitcher is often included with the coffee machine and is a tall metal jug with a spout. It is convenient to whisk milk or raff in it and then pour it into a cup.

Cooking at home

If you have a carob-type coffee machine, the ingredients will remain the same. The difference is in the method of whipping the mixture of coffee and cream with sugar. If you don’t have an automatic cappuccino maker, use a mixer, blender or a small but fast milk frother, also called a “Frapper.” He will quickly whip the cocktail to the desired consistency.

The raf cocktail, for which the coffee is brewed in a Turk, will not be inferior in taste. Pour a teaspoon of coffee (7 - 8 grams), which it is advisable to grind immediately before use, into a Turk and pour 50 ml of clean cold water into it. Cook over very low heat and carefully watch the process. When the first signs of boiling appear, remove from the stove and leave for a couple of minutes.

During these minutes, in the microwave, heat the cream, to which sugar has already been added, until warm. Strain the coffee, combine it with cream and whisk in the manner described. Pour the delicate cocktail into a cup and decorate the top with grated chocolate, cocoa powder, cinnamon or other topping.

All the numerous variations are prepared on the basis of the classic recipe.

Are raf and diet compatible?

According to expert calculations, the calorie content of a serving of the drink is close to 100 kcal per 100 ml.

That is, a 150 ml portion will give an increase of 150 kcal.

Of course, this is an estimate. Although cream makes up 2/3 of the volume of the drink, its fat content can vary significantly. After all, the difference between cream 10% fat and 15% fat is significant. The high energy value of the drink is also explained by the presence of sugar in the recipe. However, this opinion, in our opinion, is correct only if several servings of the cocktail are consumed per day. One serving, sweetened according to the recipe, is quite acceptable for a regular diet.

But raf coffee is certainly not a dietary dish.

Secrets and tricks

Serving utensils for raf coffee must be heated and only after that the drink is poured for serving.
Serve the cocktail immediately before the foam settles.
Control the dose of vanilla sugar when calculating the increased quantity of products for several servings. Otherwise, the taste of the drink may be spoiled.
To dissolve vanilla sugar, mix it with cream before heating.
For whipping, give preference to a mechanical cappuccino maker.
The density and stability of the foam depends on the quality of whipping.

Secrets and subtleties

There are subtleties and secrets of serving delicacies. It is believed that the effect of the drink depends on the glassware and serving. It is served in a nice warm container that is comfortable to hold in your hand.

It is customary to serve it in a large cup like a cappuccino, or in a glass like a latte macchiato.

If desired, the portion can be doubled. To do this, use two shots of espresso. Vanillin is added carefully; it should not be bitter.

The coffee drink has not existed for long, but managed to achieve significant victories not only in professional competitions, but also earned the love of coffee lovers.

Video recipe as icing on the cake

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