Greece and coffee, a big love story
Greece is considered to "frappe nation" and I won't say the opposite ! Greece is in love with coffee but it is bit of frappe.
You can find the frappe as well in a 200-seat cafe in Athens or in a two rooms appartment in the north of Greece. The frappe is enjoyed in all circumstances, both in a spectacular location on a sunny terrace in the coastal cliffs but also in offices or even in a coffee canteen window.
Drink a frappe coffee is a kind of tradition here. It is a sort of staple of the day: wake up and get some energy to start the day or to relax, chat, meet friends. Here, there is always a reason to drink a frappe!
This is common in Greece to see people sitting in cafes for hours, relaxing, looking around, smoking and talking about everything. Without any exaggeration, it can last all day.
For the Greeks there is no greater pleasure than those precious moments sitting in a coffee, tasting a good glass of iced coffee.
You can find the frappe as well in a 200-seat cafe in Athens or in a two rooms appartment in the north of Greece. The frappe is enjoyed in all circumstances, both in a spectacular location on a sunny terrace in the coastal cliffs but also in offices or even in a coffee canteen window.
Drink a frappe coffee is a kind of tradition here. It is a sort of staple of the day: wake up and get some energy to start the day or to relax, chat, meet friends. Here, there is always a reason to drink a frappe!
This is common in Greece to see people sitting in cafes for hours, relaxing, looking around, smoking and talking about everything. Without any exaggeration, it can last all day.
For the Greeks there is no greater pleasure than those precious moments sitting in a coffee, tasting a good glass of iced coffee.
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| Traditionnal Greek Coffee |
The Greek coffee is the same coffee served in Turkey: the famous Turkish coffee.
This is a coffee that has a very particular taste and it is not for nothing that 99% of foreigners (including me) think it is a kind of abomination.
But it is true that drinking this coffee is an art.
First we need to drink very slowly so that the marc is redeposited at the bottom of the cup after each sip.
If you are invited in Greek house, you will be served a Greek coffee with a glass of ice water and some pastries.
The glass of ice water proves to be very useful because the coffee can leave a persistent taste in the mouth.
It is better to know how to drink, to enjoy this very special flavor !
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| Greek Frappe Coffee |
This picture makes you want to taste it, Am I wrong?
And why not making this Greek iced coffee at home?
First, know that to prepare the famous, it will not take you more than 5 minutes!
The coffee can be done either with a shaker or an appropriate mixer (for example a hand mixer).
Put one or two spoons of instant coffee, sugar (white or brown, free of choice) and a little water. Mix vigorously to obtain a foam.
Pour into a tall glass and add cold water and ice, and eventually add milk.
Serve with a straw, and the only thing to do now, is taste!
If you want more information on Greece and it's love of coffee, I invite you to visit this website : frappenation.com
This website is inspired by the book "Frappe Nation" written by Daniel Young and Vivian Constantinopoulos.
Published the 9th of February 2014
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