Grace’s Weekly Blend:
Final Sip - National Frappè Day (October 7th)
IF,
for some odd reason,
you've been anxiously waiting for the number one thing that caught my eye this week;
the number one spot is unique as it's not necessarily a thing but rather an idea.
October is here,
and for coffee lovers like myself,
that means National Frappè Day is just around the corner on October 7th!
Frappès has been a long-standing favorite, especially on warm afternoons when you r e a l l y want that coffee fix and need something cool and refreshing.
Did you know the frappè originated in Greece?
Let's Get Into It:
Sooo, a quick jump back into history, back in 1957, at the Thessaloniki International Fair in Greece, a Nestlé employee named Dimitris Vakondios found himself without hot water to make his instant coffee. Like a barista, he made some shit up;
improvising,
He mixed the coffee with cold water and ice cubes in a shaker—and voila! The Greek frappè was born. This accidental creation resulted in a frothy, milkshake-like coffee that quickly became a staple in Greece and beyond.
It's traditionally made by shaking instant coffee with water, sugar, and ice, then served frothy and cold. Over the years, it has evolved into the delicious, blended beverage we enjoy today.
The Evolution of Frappé to Frappuccino
In the 1990s, the frappé got an american makeover! Starbucks bought the rights to a blended coffee drink from a small chain in Massachusetts and coined it the "Frappuccino"—a blend of "frappé" and "cappuccino." From there, the drink exploded into this global phenomenon we know today, with endless flavors, toppings, and customizations that have made the beloved Frappuccino a fan favorite worldwide.
Yes, "Frappuccino" is a trademark owned by Starbucks.
As much as the term Frappuccino has become synonymous with blended coffee drinks, it's a trademark owned by Starbucks. That means only Starbucks can officially use Frappuccino for their products. So, if you're whipping up your version of a blended coffee, you'll want to go with other creative names like frappé, blended coffee, or frozen latte.
It's a little-known fact,
but
it's important to remember if you're venturing into the world of coffee creations and want to avoid trademark issues. Now that we know let's get creative with our sweet potato-inspired coffee blends!
This week,
coffee has been my main source of inspiration as it's my primary art form. I've been in the lab working on my fall menu and look forward to seeing it manifest into my next coffee gathering later this month,
GRACE . (pronounced Grace Period).
Experimentation is the heart of creativity, and I've been joyfully diving into it this week. My experiments have led me to concoct recipes with unique ingredients such as sweet potato, pumpkin spice, and matcha with lavender. It's been a delightful journey of discovery, and I look forward to sharing the results with you.
Whether you prefer a frappè's simplicity or a Frappuccino's indulgence, National Frappè Day is all about celebrating creativity in a cup! I encourage you to share your own coffee creations on National Frappè Day and join the global community of coffee enthusiasts in celebrating our favorite beverage.
And that's pretty much a wrap on this week's Grace's Weekly Blend!
From National Frappè Day to exploring the evolution of sweet potato blends, it's been a fun ride through creativity, coffee, and culture. I hope these picks brought a little extra flavor to your week.
But the fun doesn't stop here! Stay tuned for the following lineup of Grace's Weekly Blend—there's always more brewing, and I look forward to sharing what's next. Until then, keep sipping and discovering!