Greece exports culture and… coffee. Taste Atlas, which is known for its food-related lists, due to its World Coffee Day “celebrated” on October 1, has compiled both the most popular and the top coffees in the world. These lists are based on public ratings, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and ignore the ratings of bots, nationalists, or patriots, and give added value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable.
The list of the top cafes has of course a large dose of… Italy, but Greece is not far behind, having a very noticeable presence, showing that the coffees preferred by Greeks are leaving an impression on the rest of the world.
The Greek presence in the top 10 starts from position 8, where Frappe, based in Thessaloniki, is sitting pretty. As Taste Atlas write:
Although the word frappe first appeared in the 19th century, this Greek coffee variety was invented in 1957. It is made by combining instant coffee with water and ice. The combination is usually prepared in a shaker or a hand mixer, so when the drink is poured in a glass, a frothy foam should appear on top.
The variations may include milk or evaporated milk—when it is often referred to as frapógalo—and the drink can be sweetened according to taste. Traditionally, this coffee is served in a tall glass, and three degrees of sweetness are available.
Then comes the Espresso Freddo, ranked 5th. It is a simple Greek coffee that combines espresso and ice. Unlike similar ice coffee varieties that merely serve coffee over ice, this Greek version primarily blends the two ingredients until the coffee is slightly chilled, smooth, and creamy.
Slightly chilled coffee is then strained and poured over ice. The drink is sweetened according to preference, which should be done before it is blended. Espresso freddo became popular in the 1990s, and nowadays, it is a staple throughout the country.
Freddo cappuccino, ranked 4th is a chilled coffee variety that originates from Greece. It is made with espresso; usually a double shot, which is first blended with ice, strained, and then poured over ice. The drink is then topped with well-chilled milk that is shaken or blended until it achieves a light, frothy consistency.
Freddo cappuccino is a traditionally served in tall glasses. Similar variety, without milk, is known as espresso freddo. Both drinks are commonly found in Greece, and they are mostly enjoyed as refreshing summer drinks.
The best coffee of all was the Cuban Espresso, with Vietnamese Iced Coffee coming in 3rd and Ristretto 2nd.
