Coffee in Greece

Coffee is known all over the world. Different nation have different coffees, so for example Italy with its Espresso or France with its Cafe au lait. Greece has his own coffee specialties too. Those I will present to you today.

Greek people like to drink their coffee cold, because it is so hot in the summer. Next to the Frappe or Iced Coffee, other popular Greek cold coffees are the Freddo Cappuccino and Freddo Espresso.

The name is already indicating that the coffee is cold, due to the Italian word "freddo", which is translated "cold".

Greek people can drinks hours on one coffee, that is also advisable, because the coffee has a lot of caffeine. People not knowing the Greek living rhythm might be surprised when they find out about their coffee time. All the coffee shops are crowded at noon and at 6 or 7 in the evening again.

But now to the recipes:

For Freddo Cappuccino you need:

• 2 cups/glasses for preparation
• Espresso
• Evaporated milk
• Sugar (optional)
• Ice cubes
• Milk frother

The preparation:

• Fill a cup with three ice cubes and cover them with evaporated milk
• Froth the milk, until you have a nice foam. That takes about three to four minutes
• Make two shots of espresso
• If you want sugar, now is the time to add. Take one teaspoon for a slightly sweet or two for a sweet coffee
• Put the espresso with two ice cubes in a cup and whir it, until the espresso is cold
• Now put the espresso in your drinking glass and slowly and carefully pour the milk foam into the glass. The foam should float on the top.
• Add a straw and you are done!

While drinking, use the straw to mix the milk and the coffee.

For Freddo Espresso you need:

• 1 cup/glass for preparation
• Espresso
• Sugar (optional)
• Ice cubes
• Milk frother

The preparation:

• Make two shots of espresso
• Fill the espresso into a cup and add sugar if you want
• Add two ice cubes and whir it up for about 30 seconds
• Put some ice cubes into a drinking glass and pour the espresso over them. The drink should be frothy
• Add straw and you are done!

When you don't want to make your Freddo Cappuccino or Freddo Espresso yourself, you can buy it in every coffee shop in Greece, also for on the go. When ordering you mostly get asked if you want sugar or not. If you want to skip that, there are three kinds how the Greeks drink their coffee: Σκέτο (sketo) – without sugar, μέτριο (metrio) – middle, with a little sugar, or γληκό (gliko) – sweet, with sugar. When you order the next time some coffee in Greece, you just say: ena Freddo Cappuccino sketo, parakalo (a Freddo Cappuccino without sugar, please). Use of course the drink and the sweetness you desire.

Enjoy your coffee!