Frappe Coffee

Frappe is a cold instant coffee that has become one of the most recognized and beloved coffee forms in Greece. Its connection to Thessaloniki is particularly significant, as this city is where it was first created in 1957 and from where it began to conquer Greece and eventually become a global phenomenon.

The history of frappe began in 1957 during the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF). During the fair, Dimitris Vakondios, an employee of Nestlé, found himself without hot water to make his usual instant coffee. Improvising with cold water and a mixer, he created a coffee with a rich foam, which was later named "frappe," derived from the French word "frappé," meaning shaken or mixed.

Thessaloniki is considered the "capital" of frappe. The city, known for its relaxed and welcoming lifestyle, quickly adopted frappe as the perfect drink for hot days and social gatherings. As Thessaloniki residents enjoy their life outdoors, frappe became an integral part of their daily routine, accompanying conversations in cafes and tavernas.

Frappe has become an iconic element of modern Greek culture, and Thessaloniki takes pride in being its birthplace. What started as a spontaneous creation at the TIF has become a symbol of leisure and sociability, perfectly associated with the city that discovered it.