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C Illustration / Yalan Zhang

Ancient Roads to Modern Brews

Coffee is deeply ingrained in Greek culture, and has been since the days of
the Ottoman Empire. The traditional way of making coffee with an ibrik coffee,
was the main form for centuries until after World War II. Coffee shops were
popular places to enjoy a cup of coffee and socialize with friends, as it remains
to this day – an affordable and enjoyable way to come together.
In the years to come, the Greeks started showing a knack for inventing coffee
drinks. In the late 1950s, instant coffee started gaining popularity in the United
States and Europe. In Greece, what started as a simple way to make coffee quickly
evolved into the beloved frappe. A Greek invention, the drink involves mixing in-
stant coffee with sugar and water, then shaking and adding cold water or cold milk
foam on top. The drink was an instant hit, and soon many Greek cafes began serv-
ing it. Today, frappe is enjoyed all over Greece by many, though the entrance of
COFFEE IN
espresso in the country has threatened its popularity.
The introduction of espresso to Greece was quite early, as hangouts for artists,
secularists and intellectuals served it in the 1950s. However, it wasn’t until the
1990s that espresso and cappuccino became popular with the general public. The
invention of two Greek variants – Freddo Espresso and Freddo Cappuccino – which
blended the rich taste of espresso with a need for iced refreshment, caused a shift
away from frappe drinks and an almost universal adoption of espresso-based bev-
erages. Espresso became the new favorite Greek habit, whether it was hot or cold.
ATHENS
The start of the 21st century has seen the Greek coffee scene become even
more varied and diverse. A discerning and informed group of consumers now exists
in the country who are constantly looking for, reading about, trying out and offer-
ing their opinion on the different types of coffee they drink. The “Third Wave” of
coffee is finding lots of fans in Greece, with this newfound interest leading to
plenty more options for customers as well as better all-round services.
Despite all these changes, one thing remains at the heart of Greek coffee cul-
ture: it is still a leisurely, everyday pleasure enjoyed with friends and loved ones.
This June, World of Coffee is coming to Athens, bringing together the best from all
over the world. This is a chance to get to know the city’s ancient history, sample
the local brews, and immerse yourself in the slow coffee life like a local. Here are
five coffee shops to get you started!

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