Frappés in Cyprus

In the UK, I occasionally made an iced coffee if the weather was particularly hot. But I didn't learn about frappés until we moved to Cyprus. Even then it took a few years. A friend told us that 'real' frappés are made by shaking water, instant coffee and ice together in a jar, as if making a cocktail. Rather a lot of effort, but it certainly produced a pleasant, cooling and refreshing kind of iced coffee. Here's how we made frappes (from my recipe site)... until this year. Daniel used to be the expert, and since he left it's fallen to Tim to make them. Occasionally. It always seemed like too much effort for me, on a hot and humid day.

So, finally, last Friday, we bought a Cypriot style frappé maker. It cost us all of twelve euros! If I'd know they were so inexpensive, we might have had one years ago...


What a difference it makes! Cold water, instant coffee and perhaps a little sugar whizz up to thicken and give a froth on top in just a few seconds. More cold water, milk, and perhaps ice cubes are added - no effort at all.

I couldn't resist drinking some of it before taking the photo:


It's fine with decaffeinated coffee, too, although that would probably rather shock Cypriots who tend to have their coffee - and frappés - strong!