Sunday, April 10, 2011

GREEK FRAPPE!

We've had really hot days here in the North-West corner of Italy these days! It feels like full summer... It's kind of a mini heat wave, with temperatures that have climbed up to 30-32° C and plenty of sun and blue skies.
It feels like summer, so I've been thinking about my favorite summer drink in Greece: Greek frappé! I'm going to taste it very soon, as I'm off to my beloved island of Rhodes this Tuesday for a week!
Greek frappé or Café frappé (Greek: φραπές, frapés) is a foam-covered iced coffee drink made from instant coffee. It is very popular in Greece and Cyprus, especially during the summer.

This drink is so popular in Greece that there is even a website devoted to it, Frappe Nation! Here is the description from the site:
"A frappé is nothing more complicated than instant coffee, sugar, and a small quantity of cold water shaken vigorously together to produce a thick foam, then poured over ice in a tall glass, and finally topped off with milk or water. That basic formula gets muddled not only by personal habits but also by the homespun guidelines passed on by its practitioners.”
"It may be best to describe the frappé formula in terms of volume proportions. A gliko (“sweet”) frappé, for example, is typically made with between 1 1/2 and 2 measures of sugar per 1 measure of coffee. To prepare a metrio (“medium sweet”), up to 1 measure of sugar should be mixed with 1 measure of coffee. To create a thick, creamy foam, the ideal coffee-to-water ratio is about 1 part instant coffee per 4-5 parts water."


The basic recipe:
"1. Place 2 teaspoons of instant coffee, sugar to taste, and a splash (3-to-4 tablespoons) of cold water in a shaker, jar, or drink mixer. Cover and shake well for 30 seconds or, if using a standing or hand-held drink mixer, process for 10 seconds to produce a thick foam.
2. Place a few ice cubes in a tall glass. Slowly pour the coffee foam into the glass. Add a splash of milk (evaporated or regular), if desired. Fill with water until the foam reaches the top of the glass. Serve with a flexible straw."

15 comments:

antigoni said...

ohhh... I need a glass of cool frappe .. right now!!!

Demi said...

Cool!

Annuk said...

:))))))

zsazsazsu said...

my favorite greek drink ! Thanks for reminding me after a long winter :-)

Annuk said...

You're welcome Sandra ;)!

Yael said...

Sounds easy enough to prepare and too delicious to miss out - so for sure I will try it!
Thank you Anna!
So off you go tomorrow? I wish you a most wonderful vacation - Greek frappe everyday!!

pantarei said...

Annuk....great post and loved the Frappe Nation link!!!!
Kalo ' taxidi my dearest Cousin!
TVB!!!!!

Annuk said...

Thank you girls :)))!!!!!!!!!!!

Carrie said...

I was wearing a vest Anna, a vest in N.Ireland yesterday - wow, it was warm!!! ;)
Enjoy all those Frappes in Rhodes and bring back millions of photos.
I'm off down south this Friday to Co Kerry and Valentia Island - eekkk, so excited....wonder what our national cold drink is, bound to be alcholic, hahahaha. Us Irish *rolls eyes* xxx

OnePerfectDay said...

I think you made everyone who read this post long for that coffee in the picture....You've got me thinking about it and it's night-time...

Annuk said...

Hello girls :)! Going to enjoy some frappes for you too ;)!!!

Ingrid King said...

I love any form of iced coffee and I thought I'd tried them all, but I've never seen this version. Will definitely have to try it, as soon as it warms up here. I envy you your warm temperatures!

Annuk said...

Hi Ingrid! Glad you discovered a new coffee version :)! If you like iced coffe, you're going to love it!!!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the recipe sweet Anna, I will try it! Looks gorgeous and yes, I want one now too:)

Annuk said...

Yes, do try it out, it's great in the summer especially! Even though... with a beautiful Greek island landscape, blue sky and the Aegean Sea in the background it tastes even better ;)!

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