Contents :
- What is iced coffee and where does it come from?
- How to make iced coffee at home?
- How to diversify the taste and appearance of iced coffee?
- Summary
Summer is a time when we seek refreshment and coolness. One of the best ways to do this is with iced coffee , which not only quenches thirst but also stimulates the senses. Iced coffee is a drink with many faces and flavors. You can prepare it in many ways, using different ingredients and add-ons.
In this article, I'll share a few iced coffee recipes you're sure to love. You'll also learn how to enhance its flavor and appearance to enjoy it even more. Enjoy! 😊
What is iced coffee and where does it come from?
The origins of the coffee beverage date back to Ethiopia , where people consumed coffee cherries cooked with butter and salt as early as the 1st millennium BCE. These cherries were harvested from the wild, not cultivated. It was likely the Oromo people of the Kaffa region who discovered the properties of coffee .
In the 13th or 14th century , coffee was brought to Yemen , where it was cultivated and brewed. Coffee quickly gained popularity in Arabia and neighboring countries and even gave rise to a new social and cultural form, the coffeehouse. Coffeehouses appeared in Mecca in the 15th century and in Constantinople in the 16th century.
In Yemen, Sufi monks were among the first to brew coffee as a beverage and use its stimulating effects to pray throughout the night.
In the 16th century, coffee spread throughout the Arab world and then to Europe. It was then that people began experimenting with different ways of preparing and serving coffee.
One legend about the origins of iced coffee tells of the Battle of Vienna in 1683, when the Turkish army left behind large quantities of coffee beans. Europeans began pouring cold water over them, creating a drink with a slightly nutty and chocolatey flavor.
Another legend takes us to France , where iced coffee was supposedly created from espresso, lemon and ice.
The most famous story of iced coffee, however, comes from Greece , where in the 1950s, at an international trade fair in Thessaloniki, a Nestle representative wanted to present instant coffee with chocolate to children. Lacking access to hot water, he poured cold water over the powder and mixed it in a shaker with ice cubes. This is how café frappé , or whipped iced coffee, was born.
As you can see, iced coffee has a rich and interesting history that illustrates how people have discovered and utilized the benefits of coffee throughout the ages. Today, we can enjoy many versions of this beverage, available both at home and in coffee shops.
How to make iced coffee at home?
Making iced coffee at home isn't difficult or time-consuming. All you need are a few basic ingredients and tools to enjoy a delicious and refreshing drink.
Here are some simple iced coffee recipes you can try:
- Classic iced coffee with milk and ice. Brew 150 ml of strong coffee, preferably espresso or espresso. Sweeten to taste and let cool. Pour the cooled coffee into a tall glass, add plenty of ice cubes, and top with 125 ml of cold milk, either cow's milk or plant-based. Stir, and you're done!
- Iced coffee with condensed milk. Brew 200 ml of strong coffee, sweeten to taste, and let cool. Pour the cooled coffee into a tall glass, add two tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk, and two handfuls of ice cubes. Stir, and you're done!
- Iced coffee with whipped cream. Brew 200 ml of strong coffee, sweeten to taste, and let cool. Pour the cooled coffee into a tall glass, add plenty of ice cubes, and top with 100 ml of chilled 30% cream. Stir and garnish with whipped cream, cocoa powder, or powdered sugar.
- Iced coffee with ice cream. Brew 150 ml of strong coffee, sweeten to taste, and let cool. Pour the cooled coffee into a tall glass, add plenty of ice cubes, and top with 50 ml of cold milk (cow's milk or plant-based). Stir and add two small scoops of cream or vanilla ice cream.
Iced frappé coffee is perfect for hot days
As you can see, making iced coffee at home is very quick and easy. You can also experiment with other ingredients and add-ins to create your own version of this drink. Enjoy! 😊
How to diversify the taste and appearance of iced coffee?
Iced coffee is a drink that can be easily customized to suit your preferences and mood. You can add various syrups, spices, sprinkles, fruit, or chocolate to give it a new flavor and appearance.
Check out some ideas to spice up your iced coffee:
- Flavored syrups. You can buy ready-made syrups for coffee at the store or make them yourself. The most popular flavors are vanilla, caramel, and chocolate, but you can also try hazelnut, coconut, mint, or cinnamon. Add a few drops of syrup to your iced coffee and stir.
- Spices . You can add a pinch of spices to your iced coffee to enhance its aroma and add warmth. Try cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, or turmeric, for example. Sprinkle them on top of your coffee or stir them into it.
- Sprinkles. You can decorate your iced coffee with various sprinkles to add crunch and sweetness. Try coconut flakes, nuts, granola, oats, or muesli. Sprinkle them on top of your coffee or mix them in.
- Fruit. You can add fresh or frozen fruit to your iced coffee for a juicy, vitamin-packed drink. Try bananas, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or mango. Chop them into small pieces and add them to your coffee or blend them in a blender.
- Natural chocolate . You can add chocolate to your iced coffee to make it even more delicious and sweet. Try dark or milk chocolate cubes, melted chocolate coating, or cocoa powder. Add them to your coffee or sprinkle them on top.
Iced coffee is a drink that can be easily enhanced and customized to your tastes. You can also combine several ingredients to create your own flavor combinations. Have fun! 😊
Summary
Iced coffee is a drink that's perfect for summer days. Not only does it refresh and quench your thirst, but it also invigorates and lifts your spirits. In this article, I've shared a few simple iced coffee recipes you can try at home. I've also shown you how to enhance its flavor and appearance to enjoy it even more.
I hope you liked my suggestions and that you will try making your own delicious frappé coffee.
