About Frappé
Greek Coffee
"...The occasion was the Thessaloniki International Fair (September 1957), a major trade show held each September at the city's convention center. Working at an exhibit for Andreas Dristas, then the Greek distributor of Nestlé products, sales representative Dimitrios Vakondios made an important discovery. Reportedly there was no hot water available. Maybe he merely desired a cold refreshment. Either way, Vakondios grabbed a shaker meant for Nestlé's Nesquik chocolate drink, filled it instead with NESCAFE® instant coffee and cold water and, and shook it vigorously. Not accounting for the burst of foam this action would generate, Vakondios achieved two results that he personally recounted in 1993 to Alexandros Modiano, then corporate communication director of Nestlé Hellas, and in 1999 to Kimon Frangakis, then writing an article about frappé for a supplement of the subject of cafés in the news paper Eleftherotypia: The first outcome was the staining of his business suit; the second, the invention of the foamy concoction that would become known as frappé."
--Excerpt from Daniel Young and Vivian Constantinopoulos' authoritative book, Frappé Nation, which explores Greek café culture through comparisons between the dialogues of ancient Greece and the caffeinated conversation of the contemporary Greek coffeehouse.
Frappe Today
The basic building blocks of Frappé, namely NESCAFE® Classic, cold water, sugar, and evaporated milk have remained unchanged for the past fifty years. Perhaps it's this staying power during an enormous transformation in Greece that has caused a coffee drink to seep into the national psyche. Hey, we even named our website after it. Whatever the reasons may be, the Frappé continues to play a large role in beach side and street cafés, on balconies, and anywhere you see people in Greece enjoying life.
Frappé Diaspora
Frappé can hold a special place in the hearts and minds of those living outside of Greece. A mere sip will conjure up memories of gorgeous natural beauty, quality conversation and fabulous food. Perhaps, even serve as a window into a different way of life. A frrappé is all about connecting with the people, places, and events back in the homeland. It's our secret handshake -a reminder of time well spent in a place close to our hearts.
Perfect Frappé
Perfect Frappé
Makes 1 serving
2 teaspoons instant coffee
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon evaporated milk
Cold water
1. Place coffee, sugar, and 5 tablespoons of water in a drink mixer. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds to produce a thick, light-brown foam.
2. Place three ice cubes in a tall glass. Slowly pour the coffee foam into the glass. Add milk. Fill with cold water until the foam reaches the top of the glass.
3. Insert a thin, flexible straw (colored) and gently stir. Serve with an accompanying glass of cold water.