A VAST & VARIED STORY
Coffee has a vast and varied story that is woven into many cultures. Tracing its evolution from a simple concoction to the popular drink enjoyed globally today, it has also created several traditions. Among the myriad of coffee beverages, the frappe stands out not only for its refreshing taste but also for its intriguing history.
IT ALL BEGAN IN GREECE IN 1957
A frappé is a Greek iced coffee drink generally made from instant coffee, water, and ice. Additionally, sugar or milk can be added, but this is oprional. The story of how the frappé came to be as we know it today begins in Greece, a country renowned for its rich coffee culture. The word ‘frappé’ is derived from the French word ‘frapper,’ which is generally used to describe a drink chilled with ice in French. In the context of coffee, frappé refers to the method used to create the beverage, which involves shaking and mixing the components to achieve a frothy texture. While variations of the frappé now exist globally, it is widely accepted that the Greek frappe was the original version of the drink and will always hold a special place in the hearts of most coffee enthusiasts.
THE FIRST-EVER FRAPPE
The invention of the Greek frappé is attributed to a chance encounter at a trade fair in Thessaloniki in 1957. During this event, a representative of the Nestlé company, Giannis Dritsas, was exhibiting a new chocolate beverage that was produced instantly by mixing it with milk and shaking it in a shaker. During a break, Another employee, Dimitris Vakondios, could not find any hot water for his coffee, so he used the shaker to mix instant coffee with cold water and ice cubes. The result was a frothy, cold coffee based drink that was both delicious and refreshing. This improvised accidental experiment established the frappé which quickly grew in popularity all over Greece.
A POPULAR DRINK
Cafés all over Greece act as important social hubs where people gather to enjoy coffee and engage in conversation, and the frappé, with its unique texture and refreshing qualities, became an instant hit soon spreading throughout the whole country. Greek coffee culture and the warm climate also contributed to the rise in the drink’s popularity, and the drink’s simplicity made it accessible to anyone wishing to make it at home.
ICE-COLD COFFEE CULTURE
Following its initial success in Greece, the frappé began to attract attention beyond the Mediterranean and the idea of ice-cold coffee culture quickly spread throughout the world. Intense marketing campaigns by Nescafé during the 1980s also helped to broaden the drink’s popularity and the frappé was accepted as the ideal companion for leisurely social interaction the world over. The drink’s versatility allowed it to take on various different forms, with several coffee shops and cafés experimenting with its ingredients and creating a whole new array of iced coffee based beverages. In the United States, coffee chains have popularised the concept of blended frappés, often incorporating ice and cream to create a smooth, dessert like beverage and the frappuccino, which is a thick coffee based milkshake containing ice cream is a good example of this. In other countries, coffee shops are known to offer frappés with crushed cookies, fruit, various flavoured syrups, oat milk, whipped cream, and chocolate, transforming the drink into a more indulgent treat.
THE CYPRUS FRAPPE
In Cyprus, the frappé embodies a way of life and the slow ritual of preparing and sipping a frappé is intertwines with the concept of the traditional ‘kafeneio‘, or Cyprus coffee shop, where patrons engage in deep conversations and share stories, over a frappé or two. In this social landscape, the Cyprus frappe shares a connection and conviviality, and its popularity has led to the emergence of specific café cultures centred around the drink, creating a key feature of Cypriot identity. This is further supported by the fact that the frappé has made appearances in Cypriot literature, art, and film, all reflecting its impact on modern Cypriot culture. The beverage also serves as a symbol of modernity acting as a bridge between the island’s historical coffee customs and modern contemporary lifestyles, emphasising convenience, sociability, and creativity in consumption.
A SYMBOL OF SOCIAL CONNECTION
The story of the frappé is one of chance, innovation, and cultural significance. From its humble beginnings at a trade fair in Greece to its popularity across the globe, the frappé has evolved into a symbol of social connection, creativity and refreshment. The frothy ice-cold coffee beverage reflects the diverse experiences of coffee drinkers across several cultures and the frappé serves not only as a delightful drink but also as a reminder of how simple ingredients can bridge the gaps between tradition and modernity, uniting people across the world through the universal love of coffee.
THE FRAPPE RECIPE
To prepare a frappé just a few key ingredients are required. Instant coffee, ice and cold water are essential and sugar and milk are optional. One places the coffee and the sugar, if required into a shaker or a glass. Cold water or milk on its own or a combination of both is then added and the mixture is shaken vigorously, incorporating air into the mixture. This will create a frothy foam that is characteristic of the drink. Finally, the mixture is poured over ice and topped with cold water or milk, as required, resulting in a refreshing ice-cold beverage.
