Not that in other countries they do not drink coffee. But ... they do not drink it in Cyprus, here coffee is a way of life. Although many can declare the same in relation to Italy, Greece, Arab countries and so on. What is the difference?
Firstly, in Cyprus there is traditional Cyprus coffee
He is Turkish, he is Arabic, he is Greek, he is Armenian. He is the smallest grinding of all types of coffee, looks like brown powder.
Cyprus coffee is brewed in Turk and completely gives its entire aroma and strength. Having tried this drink, you will feel the taste of antiquity, because it is the oldest of all. But not everyone likes it: it is bitter and hesitates greatly on the vessels.
No matter how much I heard the secrets of good Cyprus coffee! Someone says that in the process of cooking you need to remove the foam. Someone-what needs to be constantly stirred, and someone, on the contrary, warns that coffee cannot be disturbed during this complex process.
But everyone converges in one thing: it must be removed in time! It is necessary to watch the turkey, waiting for the moment when bubbles foreshadowing the rise of coffee begin to appear on the walls. You need to act immediately, otherwise coffee, like Vesuvius, will begin to pour out its foam over the region of the Turks, and consider that everything is lost.
In time, removed coffee is immediately poured into cups
Why cups?
Because there is a lot of coffee, and they are very small. There is also a dual coffee size, the most popular, but also small.
Cyprian owners always ask how much sugar you want. But do not give the answer in the spoons, here is another measurement system: Glyko, Metrio, Sketo. In other words: sweet, medium and without sugar. Sketo is a word used specifically for coffee in the meaning without sugar. It is jokingly consumed to other situations when no excesses are needed.
But sweet - how much? Medium - how much? Trust the owners, they know! The gold standard does not exist, and each at his discretion converts these doses into the tablespoons of sugar.
And now, the coffee is ready! Foam and bubbles on it brightly shimmer in the rays of the sun. By foam, many determine the manufacturer's skill. She should not be thick, but not scarce. The foam with a thin film covers the surface of the coffee. But that's not all. A glass of cold water is next to a cup of coffee. Take a sip of coffee and then a sip of water - this is the Cyprus Coffee Coffee!
Cyprus coffee - social drink
You can, of course, drink it alone. But still, most often they drink it for the company. This is a standard offer for any guest and any cafe. And in Cyprus Kafenio, he, in principle, is the only possible drink.
Kafenio is a purely male traditional cafe. Not that women are forbidden to appear there, but it is somehow inconvenient. Traditional Kafenio are visible right away: elderly Cypriots are sitting on the street and playing backgammon, and a cup of coffee and a glass of water on the table are always on the table.
Cyprus coffee is not the only
Many other species have gained popularity. I will not talk about Italian coffee, which is prepared in any cafe. I'll tell you about Frapp.
This coffee is in no way inferior, but rather a long time overtook Cyprus coffee in its popularity. In any decent house there is a machine for Frapp. A high glass is taken, soluble coffee, sugar is poured, slightly poured with cold or room temperature with water and then beaten with a machine.
Water from the dark mass turns into a thick bright foam in half a glass. In this process, you also need to fill your hand. If you add a little more water, then the foam will fill almost the entire glass. A too small amount of water will not be enough to completely dissolve grains of coffee.
My secret, how to determine whether Frappa has been made well: look at the bottom from below. Neither sugar nor coffee should remain at the bottom.
But the terminology on sugar migrated from Cyprus coffee to Frapp, they also ask whether you drink Glyco, Metrio or Sketo. Plus they ask how much milk is poured: completely, half, a little or not at all. The rest is filled with cold water and ice.
Frapp - a drink for all occasions. They drink it always and everywhere. At home several times, visiting a girlfriend, in the office at work, on the beach, in a cafe - the buzz of whipped foam is heard everywhere.
The slow sipping of refreshing coffee through the tube acts soothingly: do not rush, everything will be fine.
This is the motto of Cyprus, and its symbol is Frappe
Only in winter do the Cypriots give a break in cold coffee and prepare a cappuccino, or even tea.
Whatever the crisis, no matter how the pandemic rages, there are no cafes without customers. And where do we go without a cup of coffee and a slow conversation about life? Where to call friends, if not in coffee?
Yes, and is it possible to survive the hot summer without cooling itself periodically life -giving frapp?
P.S. This article was written with invaluable help of two glasses of Frappe
Author: Alina Moseikina
Photo by Freepik.com
This article was first published in the "Vestnik Cyprus" on June 23, 2024. Part of the information could be outdated.
