Coffeeland

I don't imagine many people think about Greece and then think about coffee.  But, in some form or another, it is definitely part of everyday life here.  Taxi drivers will often have a container of some kind of coffee drink (mostly cold) in their cab.  The cafe's are a popular destination year round to socialize with friends - I often see people not even finish their drinks they are so busy talking.  And cafe's will frequently take orders to local shop employees that can't leave. I have seen our post office give them great business!  And when visiting friends, it's one of the first things offered.

The kicker for me is in the variety of ways you can order said coffee.

When you go to a cafe (which serves only beverages and perhaps some sweets or a limited menu) you need to be very clear about what you want when you order a coffee.  Here are the standard options:

Nescafe [option 1]- "zesto", or hot.  Your basic coffee made with frozen grounds and of course sugar and milk options. 

Frappe [option 2]- a cold somewhat frothy drink (made from the same frozen grounds) served with a bit of ice in the options of plain, medium, sweet (I take mine medium, or "metrio") and with or without milk.  

- a Folger's fan?  Tough luck, Nescafe has a chokehold on this country.

Filter - the kind of basic coffee most of you drink at home or the basic choice at Starbucks/Peet's/Seattle's Best/your local coffee shop.

Greek - of Turkish origin, it's quite grainy once you get to the bottom of the cup, really more like mud.  Some people are known to forecast one's future from the dregs left in the cup. Again with the options plain, medium, sweet.

Regardless of which you order, you'll always be served water as well.  At first I found that a bit strange, but I now count on it.  Of course, they have a plethora of other coffee drinks at the cafes, both hot and cold - but the above drinks you can usually expect to be an option when visiting friends.

The picture above is of all our coffee paraphernalia.  The silver cups (briki) in the forefront are for making Greek coffee on the stove.  We have ones for both single and double servings.  You can also buy a special countertop burner especially for brewing your Greek coffee - warming up quite quickly.  The glass with the straw, and the container with the blue lid behind it are for making and serving the Frappe's (that glass is a bit small, but they are usually tall and thin).  I am sure you recognize a coffee maker and the french presses. 

The good news is that you can usually find decaf in most of the above varieties, the bad news is that nowhere do you get free refills!  Forget a leisurely breakfast out, having the server stop by numerous times to refill your cup.  For that matter, I am not sure where you could have breakfast out...  breakfast for Greeks is usually a cup of coffee and a cigarette and for the truly hungry perhaps a tiropita (cheese pie, made with filo dough).  IHOP would have a hard time doing business here.