For Greeks, coffee is more than just a favorite drink - it is part of their life. Imagining the Greeks without coffee is like imagining Greece without the sea. The day begins with coffee and continues under the sign of coffee. Do you want to meet a friend? So I need to go have coffee with him. Do you want to chat in a stern male company about politics? Well, how can we live here without our favorite drink? Greeks drink coffee wherever possible and whenever they have some free time. It would seem nothing surprising, now the whole world drinks coffee. Perhaps, but the Greeks drink theirs - greek coffee and drink it selflessly. With a cup of their favorite strong drink, they can spend the whole evening in friendly company.
Greek coffee
What about tea? This is something that Greeks practically don’t drink. Unless they get sick... and even then, they also drink exclusively their own tea - mountain Greek , medicinal and healthy.
How does Greek coffee differ from the familiar “Espresso” or “Americano”?
- Firstly, the method of preparation. Greek coffee is brewed in a “turk”, which is also often called “cezva”. The Greek version of the name for this simple dish is “briki”. It is a small vessel with a handle and a narrow neck, made of copper or brass.
- Secondly, grind the coffee beans very finely, literally “to dust.”
- Thirdly, kaymak foam. It should be thick, with small bubbles.
This method of preparation is often called “Oriental coffee” or “Turkish coffee.” Only in Greece should it be called correctly - ελληνικός καφές i.e. Greek coffee. Otherwise, the Greeks won’t understand you, or they won’t want to understand. The Greeks are skeptical about any surrogate coffee drinks. They managed to complicate even the convenient instant coffee beloved by many and turn it into their own unique Frape coffee (καφές φραπέ). Moreover, they made it a soft drink, which has already gained almost worldwide popularity.
This oriental magical drink is usually served in a small coffee cup with a glass of cold water, which emphasizes its unique taste. Coffee should be aromatic, strong and hot. Drink it in small sips with water. This is a process of having fun, and it should not be short.
Finding a cafe (“kafenio”) that serves Greek coffee is not difficult, because... They are sure to be on every tourist street. True, if you want to try real Greek coffee, then it’s better to wander away from the tourist routes and find a place where mostly Greeks sit. This is a guarantee of both the quality of coffee and its low cost. The tradition of spending time in the “kafenio” was born among Greek men, but now the fairer sex has also joined it. Why not chat with your friends over a cup of black coffee at the end of a tiring day?
To place your order correctly, you need to know that the Greeks have several types of coffee:
- Βαρύγλυκο (varigliko) – strong and sweet
- σκέτο (sketo) – completely without sugar
- μέτριο (metrio) – semi-sweet.
There is no need to order water; it will be served to you with your drink. And don’t be surprised when they bring you some sweets with your coffee - this is a compliment - a gift from the establishment.
Elliniko
Real Greek coffee is brewed in a classic cezve from finely ground beans. Coffee “dust” is added to already hot water and the liquid is allowed to boil. As the grounds settle to the bottom, the drink acquires a thick and velvety taste. Elliniko is served hot in small thick-walled cups or traditionally in copper cups on a copper saucer - this way it stays hot longer.
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In fact, Greek coffee is not much different from Turkish coffee. This is explained by the fact that the drink appeared in the country during the Ottoman Empire. The first coffee shops opened in Greece in the 16th-17th centuries and were truly Turkish.
Since the finished Elliniko is rich and strong, many Greeks prefer to add sugar to it in different proportions:
- metrios (1 teaspoon sugar);
- glykos (2 spoons);
- variglykos (very sweet, more than 2 spoons);
- sketos (no sugar).
The barista must be told in advance how sweet Elliniko you would like to try, otherwise he will add one or two spoons to it according to his taste.
How to make coffee frappe
There are many frappe recipes. Each of them has a number of features. It is worth highlighting the most popular and simple ones.
Ice frappe
The name “ice frappe” usually refers to a traditional cocktail. The following ingredients are used to prepare it:
- 100 ml espresso;
- 2 teaspoons sugar;
- 40 ml cream;
- 5 cubes of crushed ice.
Preparation boils down to performing the following manipulations:
- Brew espresso in any convenient way and cool.
- All components are mixed in a shaker.
- The cocktail is poured into a glass goblet.
Frappe with caramel
This coffee-caramel cocktail is sure to please those with a sweet tooth. To prepare it you will need the following components:
- 50 ml espresso;
- 1 teaspoon sugar;
- 30 ml milk;
- 4 ice cubes;
- 1 tablespoon caramel syrup.
The cooking method is no different from the classic version. In this case, it is customary to decorate the finished drink with whipped cream, but this condition can be omitted if desired.
Honey-chocolate
The recipe for frappe coffee with chocolate is in many ways similar to the traditional one. Its only difference is the use of additional components. When whipping, add 20 g of grated chocolate and a teaspoon of honey to the mixture. Decorate the finished drink with berries and chocolate chips.
Fruit Recipes
This is a festive, exotic cocktail. Among its most popular variations are:
- pineapple;
- banana;
- strawberry.
Preparation of frappe is carried out according to the following scheme:
- Initially, black coffee is brewed and cooled.
- Add sugar and beat the drink until a tasty foam forms.
- The glass is cooled. To do this, place it in the freezer for ten minutes.
- Ice is mixed with pieces of berries or fruits and placed in a glass.
- Pour the coffee mixture on top.
- Decorate the cocktail with a mint leaf and chocolate chips.
Banana
Pineapple
Frappe with ice cream
Making a delicate, refreshing frappe at home is quite simple. In addition to the main components, you will need 100 g of ice cream and 100 ml of milk.
Cooking method:
- Brew coffee in a Turk and strain it.
- Mix ice cream with milk and beat these ingredients. The result should be a mass similar in consistency to sour cream.
- Place ice in a chilled glass.
- Place ice cream whipped with milk there.
- Finally, pour in the chilled espresso in a thin stream.
Vanilla
Vanilla cocktail has a delightful aroma and exquisite taste. The recipe for its preparation is not difficult. It is practically no different from the classic one.
To make a vanilla frappe, you first need to prepare a traditional Greek cocktail. Then simply add a pinch of vanillin or 2-3 drops of vanilla extract. You can use vanilla. True, in this case you need to be extremely careful. If there is too much vanilla in the drink, it will taste bitter.
Mint frappe
This cocktail creates a real harmony of flavors. It can refresh even on the hottest summer days. This effect is achieved by adding mint to the composition.
The recipe for preparing the drink differs from the traditional one only in the use of mint syrup. Garnish the cocktail with mint leaves. You can add a small slice of lemon or lime. Due to this, the taste will become even brighter.
Winter recipe
Hot coffee is not used to make frappe even in winter. The serve also stays cold. The drink is prepared according to the classic recipe, but with some changes:
- when whipping espresso, add 50 g of melted dark chocolate to it;
- milk is mixed with a couple of spoons of honey and whisked thoroughly.
After preparing coffee frappe at home, you can garnish it with a slice of lemon or orange.
Frappe
Although Frappe, or Greek cold coffee, became truly iconic in the 60s, it remains incredibly popular in the country. All you need to prepare it is instant coffee, cold water or milk, sugar and ice. All ingredients are mixed in a shaker, the finished drink is poured into a tall glass and decorated with slices of fruit or berries. It is customary to drink it through a straw and, as always, slowly.
Frappe owes its existence to an inventive employee, Dimitrios Vakondios, who, unable to find hot water for his instant coffee, mixed what was at hand. This happened in 1957 - a successful improvisation conquered the whole world in the blink of an eye.
In Greece you can find different Frappe recipes, for example with the addition of vanilla ice cream instead of milk. However, all adherents of this coffee agree on one thing - it is very good for health. The Greeks claim that Frappe helps you feel less tired and have more endurance, reduces hunger and even lowers blood sugar.
Greek coffee recipe
Dish Drink
Cuisine Greek
Preparation time 5 minutes
Cooking time 5 minutes
Total time 10 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Ingredients
- 250 ml - Water
- 3 tsp. — Finely ground coffee (Arabica or Robusta, or better yet, mix in half)
- 1-3 tsp. — The amount of sugar depends on the type of coffee you plan to prepare
Instructions
- Pour coffee and sugar into the pot and fill it with cold water. Stir and put on low heat, you can use a divider. Stir until foam appears. When the “cap” of foam begins to rise, remove from heat. Under no circumstances should the drink be allowed to boil!
Freddo cappuccino and Freddo espresso
This is the newest variety of coffee to appear in Greece - it is prepared, like Frappe, with the addition of ice cubes and is very popular in the summer months. Greek youth especially love this cold coffee cocktail.
To make Freddo cappuccino, you will need a double portion of freshly brewed coffee, sugar, milk, and, of course, ice - it is placed in the glass almost to the middle. Coffee and thick whipped milk are poured on top. The cocktail is decorated with chocolate chips or cinnamon. Freddo espresso is prepared in the same way, only without adding milk.
What is frappe
Frappe is a Greek iced coffee that is perfect for hot summer days. It has unusual, interesting flavors. The French name was assigned solely for euphony, and frappe was invented in Greece.
The drink is considered low-calorie. Therefore, it can be safely drunk by those who are on a diet and watching their figure.
In addition, the cocktail has the following benefits:
- Pronounced refreshing effect.
- The caffeine concentration is low.
- Easy to prepare. This task can be easily accomplished at home, even in the absence of modern technology.
- Attractive appearance due to the high foam on the surface of the drink.
- Low cost. All ingredients used are affordable. In addition, it is allowed to use not only natural ground grains, but also a soluble product.
- Diversity. There are many variations of recipes, so every coffee lover will be able to choose the most suitable one for himself.
Where to drink coffee in Greece
To try real Greek coffee, you should go to one of two typical local establishments: cafeteria or kafenio.
Cafeterias are very popular and are located in all major cities. These are traditional places where, in addition to an extensive coffee menu, there is a menu with Greek desserts and snacks. Here you can spend a pleasant evening with friends, or in solitude, reading a book or newspaper. In spring and summer, cafeterias place tables outside and often operate as bars at night. This partly explains the average age of visitors - Greeks over 35 are not frequent guests in the cafeteria.
The first Greek coffee shop opened in the city of Nafplio in 1828, 7 years after the country's independence from Turkey was recognized.
In turn, kafenio are authentic Greek cafes, which at all times have been a place for residents to meet, discuss and have heart-to-heart conversations. Historically, it was men who gathered in the kafenio: to relax after a hard day at work, report news, play backgammon and, of course, drink coffee. It is not surprising that the situation here was and remains as simple as possible.
Although today cafeterias have almost completely replaced kafenio from large cities, such establishments are still easy to find in the Greek provinces. People come here to see friends, discuss sports or politics. As a rule, the Kafenio audience is permanent and no longer young - everyone knows each other well and can communicate directly.
Frappe with ice cream
- espresso – 30 ml;
- creamy or vanilla ice cream – 1 scoop;
- cocoa powder – ? teaspoon;
- chocolate – 30 g;
- ice – 4 cubes;
- cinnamon for decoration.
- Brew espresso at the rate of 7 g of ground coffee per 30 ml. Cool.
- Blend the cool espresso, ice cream, cocoa powder and chocolate in a blender at high speed until smooth.
- Add ice. Beat all ingredients until a thick foam forms.
- Pour the cocktail into a tall glass, garnish with cinnamon and chocolate.
The most famous Greek coffee
Greece does not have as many famous coffee brands as, for example, Belgium or Austria. But the country has its own special brand, which has become a source of national pride - Loumidis Papagalos. This is what tourists most often choose when they decide what kind of coffee to bring from Greece as a gift.
The history of the brand began at the beginning of the 20th century, when three brothers opened a small store in Athens. In addition to other goods, it also sold coffee. Gradually expanding, by the beginning of the 21st century the family enterprise had become a large food company, with branches operating in different parts of the world.
Greek coffee "Loumidis Papagalos", or as it is also called, "coffee with a parrot", is made from a mixture of Arabica and Robusta and is distinguished by a rich aroma and rich taste characteristic of these varieties. Sold in packages of three different colors: green, black and red - differing in degrees of roasting.
To see the best range of Loumidis products, you should visit the brand’s flagship store in Athens - Loumidis Coffee Shop (106 Eolou) . Here you can choose a wide variety of gifts: from beautifully packaged sets of tea, coffee and sweets to all kinds of coffee accessories.
And in Crete, the most popular brand is Dandalis, named after its founder Alekos Dandalis. A package of coffee (750 grams) costs about 10-11 €. You can buy it both in branded packs in stores and by weight. Therefore, if you are wondering what kind of coffee to buy in Greece, Dandalis will also be a worthy souvenir option.
Frappe based on ice cream
This drink will appeal to lovers of sweets. The process of its manufacture is not complicated. It is necessary to prepare and cool the espresso in advance. 30 ml of coffee is combined with one scoop of vanilla ice cream and a small amount of chocolate (approximately 30 grams). The acquired mass has a uniform consistency. It is recommended to add a little crushed ice to it. Then the drink must be whipped again in a blender until foam forms. The finished cocktail should be poured into a separate glass. To give the frappe a rich flavor, the drink should be garnished with cinnamon.
Where to drink coffee in Athens
There are many cozy and beautiful coffee shops in Athens, where you can soak up the traditional Greek atmosphere, relax and drink a cup or two of excellent coffee. Among the most famous places in the city there are three cafes that are traditionally popular with tourists.
Coffee Island
An excellent cafe in the city center near Monastiraki Square offers guests a large selection of desserts and sandwiches, delicious milkshakes and, of course, perfectly prepared coffee. A cup of aromatic drink costs 1.10-1.40 €. You can take coffee to go.
Cafe Lycabettus
Located on Mount Lycabettos, the cafe boasts stunning views of the Acropolis and other attractions of Athens. Another “trick” of the establishment is delicious Frappe and Freddo espresso, which are so pleasant to savor while admiring the surroundings. The cost of drinks is 4-5 €.
Cave of Acropolis
At the tavern at the very foot of the Acropolis you can try traditional Greek dishes and drinks. Greek coffee, Freddo cappuccino and Freddo espresso, Frappe with ice cream cost from 2 to 4.50 €.
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18.08.2019
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Drink without cooking
To get a larger dose of caffeine, it is recommended to infuse coffee beans in cold water. It is best to do this at night - in 6 - 8 hours all chemical compounds are extracted into the liquid. Honore de Balzac is considered the first author of this drink.
Greek coffee is prepared from a mixture of beans - Robusta and Arabica. The ratio of varieties depends on the preferences of cafe visitors. If a person likes a sour-bitter taste, he will be offered a mixture consisting of 50% robusta.
It also contains more caffeine - almost 2.5 times, so the drink will be very invigorating. This is not recommended for hypertensive patients or people with heart problems to drink in hot weather. For everyone else, increased dosages of caffeine are not scary, especially if you drink a glass of water before a cup of Greek coffee.
The degree of extraction also depends on the grind - the finer it is, the more caffeine and essential oils will get into the water. You can make a drink without cooking from green grains - this type is popular among those people who watch their figure or practice a healthy eating style.
Roasted grains are tastier, but less healthy. Greens contain a large amount of the antioxidant chlorogenic acid, but when frying this chemical compound is completely destroyed.
To make extracted coffee without boiling, you need to pour ground beans into a container. The degree of grinding does not matter in this case. The mixture is left overnight and can be drunk in the morning.
Health benefits of frappe
The classic Greek frappe coffee recipe involves using the following products:
- water;
- instant coffee drink;
- a small amount of sugar.
Quite often, cold milk, fruit or ice cream are added to frappe coffee.
Frappe helps improve performance, reduces hunger, and activates metabolism. It improves intestinal motility.
Coffee story
There are legends about the emergence of this natural “energy drink”. The most widespread of them is associated with the shepherd Kaldim and the events that occurred in Ethiopia in 850. Oh, this is how this story sounds according to handwritten sources.
Kaldim drove his herd along colorful mountain slopes with rich vegetation. Suddenly the shepherd began to notice that, after chewing the leaves of one wild plant, the goats became very alert and excited: they began to run, jump wildly, butt. The guy was horrified and thought that the goats were poisoned, and their inappropriate behavior was a sign of their death throes.
After thinking a little, the shepherd decided to seek advice from the wisest monks. He collected several coffee fruits and brought them to the monastery. After listening to the young man’s story, the monks decided that these fruits had been sent to earth by a demon, and they needed to be burned immediately. The grains were thrown into the fire, and here a rich coffee smell, hitherto unfamiliar to people, spread throughout the entire monastery.
Judging that such a smell was unlikely to be poison, the beans were quickly taken out of the fire, crushed and poured with water, thus preparing the world's first coffee drink. The monks liked the dark water, and the invigorating properties of the drug helped the ministers tirelessly stay awake during long night services. Later, the drink, which was popular in monastic circles, began to be prepared in nearby towns, from where the fame of coffee spread throughout the world.
This is how the famous legend tells about the origin of coffee. According to historical information, the Greeks owe the arrival of coffee to the Mediterranean region to the Turks. In Hellas, this drink became widespread specifically during the rule of the Ottoman Empire. The first coffee houses in Greece were Turkish, and their opening dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries. At first, these establishments were visited only by Turks, but gradually representatives of Greek civilization began to visit here more and more often.
In 1828, with the advent of independence, the first purely Greek coffee shop opened in Nafplion. Here guests were offered not only to drink a cup of fragrant drink, but also to purchase ground or roasted coffee beans for making homemade Greek coffee. Later, special companies and stores appeared in Greece, specializing in the import and processing of coffee products from various countries. And the drink became more and more popular every year.
Nowadays, Greeks cannot imagine their life without a cup of fragrant coffee. This drink is consumed at every meeting, without paying attention to the time of day or the place of the event. Any cafe will offer you a number of types of coffee drinks, and one of the most popular is the Frappe coffee recipe. This cold cocktail has become one of the signs of tourist holidays in Greek resorts.
Drink with added cherries
Greek cold coffee frappe can be prepared according to the original recipe. To enhance the taste, add cherries to the drink.
The step-by-step process for making iced coffee is quite simple:
- First you need to brew and cool the espresso.
- At the same time, the cherries are thoroughly washed, pitted and combined with several pieces of ice. The resulting mixture is ground in a blender.
- The cool cherry mass is placed at the bottom of the glass. It is topped with pre-prepared espresso.
Small slices of fruit are usually used to decorate the drink. Ice cubes are ideal for this purpose.
THE EASIEST COLD COFFEE RECIPE
Our next coffee shop is located in the Land of the Rising Sun. Here we can admire the charming Japanese people, serious in appearance, but in fact very friendly, at the same time we will admire the views of this fast-growing country and, of course, try Japanese iced coffee.
To contents
Japanese iced coffee
You will like the simplicity of the drink, and the taste will pleasantly surprise you.
The Japanese started making iced coffee a long time ago. It was believed that in this way the drink reduces acidity, while the vigor and taste remain the same. Let's try!
You only need 15 minutes and a small amount of ingredients:
- Ice
- Water
- Coffee, preferably more
Take a large cup and fill it halfway with ice. Then you need to pour the coffee into a paper filter and place it in the funnel of the coffee maker so that the drops fall directly onto the ice.
After the coffee is ready, add milk and sugar to the cup. Just remember that in an ice-cold drink the sugar will not melt immediately, so it is better to heat it with milk and pour it into the coffee later. You can also add aromatic cinnamon or any other spices and additives to your taste.
Glasse
Next, we will introduce you to coffee that is loved and respected in almost every country - this is classic glass.
Now it’s difficult to say where exactly this popular type of drink originated, but some sources call Austria the birthplace of glass. So, what do you need to make classic coffee with ice cream:
- Vanilla ice cream or ice cream block
- Ready-made coffee without sugar
- Whipped cream
- bitter chocolate
Preparation: take a glass and put at least 200 grams of ice cream in it. Next, pour the cooled coffee into the glass. As the ice cream melts, it will mix with the coffee, giving your drink a unique color and flavor. Whip the cream and grate some chocolate, you will need this for decoration and additional taste. Drink this drink from a straw and remember: the more ice cream, the tastier.
WHAT IS COLD COFFEE CALLED?
In the summer, we are all drawn to the cool river, cozy benches in the park, leisurely walks and cold drinks. But there are so many who are forced to spend all summer days in a stuffy office. And their favorite hot coffee no longer saves them, because vigor is vigor, and you don’t really want to add extra hot steam to yourself. So some have switched to the increasingly popular iced coffee cocktail.
This drink has many names, it all depends on what ingredients you add to the glass. After all, it’s the same as with regular espresso: add milk and cinnamon, you get cappuccino, whipped cream or ice cream - a new coffee delicacy.
