The trends in the development of the coffee industry are increasingly gaining momentum and are becoming more like art. Lovers of comfort find romance and tranquility in this. For many, the ritual of brewing coffee becomes a pleasant outlet for getting up early. Masters of their craft try to diversify the options so that everyone finds the right taste for themselves. Sometimes something new is a well-forgotten old. An example of this is aromatic raf coffee. Created by our compatriots, who embodied warmth in it. Let's look at everything in order.
History of the coffee drink
The history of raf coffee begins in the nineties of the last century. At that time, in the vast expanses of the post-Soviet space, coffee culture was just emerging. There were very few establishments where you could find different types of drinks based on coffee beans.
The origin of the famous cocktail occurred in one of these coffee shops. Then the barista decided to please one visitor, whose name was Rafael. He said that he did not like the rich taste of espresso and asked that a softer drink be prepared for him. Then an employee of the establishment mixed a portion of coffee with cream in one cup. The drink turned out to be so tasty that friends of the foreigner who was first served it started ordering it. When they came to the coffee shop, they ordered coffee like Raphael's. Over time, the wording was shortened to the modern “Raf coffee.”
Let's start with history
Three Moscow baristas who ran a small coffee shop right in the city center opened this airy drink around 1996. This was one of the first places where a coffee machine was installed. Therefore, coffee lovers from all over the city came to them to taste delicious cappuccino.
One day a foreigner, Raphael, came into the coffee shop. He didn’t like the local espresso, but it was important for the owners to please even such a picky visitor.
Finding out the client's preferences, it turned out that he does not like the pronounced taste of coffee, but likes it to be milkier. Their experiments led to the emergence of an unusual coffee cocktail, in which the ingredients were not just mixed together, but whipped with a cappuccino maker.
To get this drink, the barista mixed coffee with milk, cream and vanilla, and then beat it thoroughly with a cappuccino maker. The consistency turned out to be soft and cloudy with a pleasant vanilla taste.
The visitor liked this option.
Noticing that they brought something unusual to the guest, other visitors asked to make it “like Raf’s.” Over time, the abbreviated name “raff”, from the English “raff”, was attached to it.
Composition and calorie content
The cocktail includes a serving of espresso per 100 grams of cream, as well as sugar. Moreover, not only regular, but also vanilla is added. The calorie content of a 150 ml drink is 150 kcal. The high energy value is due to the addition of cream and sugar. If additional additives are added to the composition, there will be even more calories.
Raf coffee is a complete dessert that cannot be classified as dietary
It is not served along with halva and other sweets. The drink itself is quite sweet and nutritious.
Cooking process
To make an original drink, you will need professional equipment.
Classic recipe
Ingredients:
- A serving of espresso is 50 ml.
- Sugar - 1 teaspoon.
- Vanilla sugar - 1 teaspoon.
- Cream - 100 grams. Use low fat, maximum 11%.
Cooking process:
- Prepare a shot of espresso using a coffee machine. Choose the type of grain to suit your taste.
- Mix cream and sugar in a pitcher. Then whisk.
- After that, pour the prepared coffee into it. Whisk again and pour the finished drink into a glass.
- If desired, you can decorate using cinnamon, chocolate chips or any other sprinkles.
How to make raff coffee at home
If we don’t have the necessary equipment at hand, we will work with what we have.
Ingredients:
- Ground or bean coffee - 10-15 grams.
- Water - 50 ml.
- Vanilla and regular sugar - 1 teaspoon each.
- Cream - 100 grams.
Cooking process:
- The general principle does not change, only the cooking will be different. You need to brew a portion of coffee. It is best to use a Turk for this (see how to properly prepare ground coffee in a Turk). Put it on the fire, add coffee. If you use beans, grind them first (see Is it possible to grind coffee in a blender?). Lightly heat the Turk, add water and cook over low heat. Do not bring to a boil - remove when foam begins to form. Don't forget to strain the finished drink.
- The cream must be mixed with sugar and heated in any suitable container. After that, pour the prepared coffee here.
- Beat the resulting mixture with a blender until foam appears.
- Pour the prepared raf coffee into a glass (see latte glasses). If you wish, you can decorate it.
Difference from cappuccino and latte
These drinks are prepared using the same ingredients, but there are significant differences between them. For example, the difference from cappuccino lies in the subtleties of preparation. When creating raf, cream is added directly to the cup and mixed with coffee there. In the case of cappuccino, the milk product is whipped with a cappuccino machine and then poured into the finished espresso.
When preparing a latte, all components are laid out in layers. The first of these is heated milk. Then black coffee is added, and creamy foam is poured on top. It is extremely important here that the ingredients do not mix.
How did raff coffee appear?
The history of the appearance of raff coffee has two versions. Some attribute the authorship of the drink to a Moscow bartender who, wanting to please a visitor with the unusual name Raphael, steamed espresso with cream and sugar and added a pinch of vanilla. The taste of the resulting coffee-based cocktail was appreciated not only by the customer, but also by other clients, but the name raff coffee still received the name of the first taster. This raf coffee recipe dates back to the 90s and is considered a classic today.
There is another option, which attributes the authorship of raf coffee to the Chinese emperor of the distant Lian era. According to legend, the ruler poured milk into a cup of coffee, but forgot to drink it and fell asleep. Next to the cup there was a flower, the petals of which fell into the drink, giving it an unusual taste of raff coffee.
We cannot say how plausible this version is, but still, in the Land of the Rising Sun in the 6th century, coffee was not as widespread as it is today. So the likelihood that the emperor preferred coffee rather than traditional green tea is not so great. However, you can choose any version of the origin of raf coffee.
What is included in raf coffee and how many calories does it contain?
The calorie content of raff coffee directly depends on the composition of the drink. The volume of a classic portion of raff coffee is 130 ml, of which 2/3 is 10% cream. The calorie content of raf coffee in this case ranges from 150 to 160 kcal.
The number of calories in raf coffee may change if you choose a different preparation recipe. In this case, use the following data for calculation:
- a cup of espresso - no more than 3 kcal;
- a teaspoon of sugar - up to 18 kcal (if using vanilla sugar, add 15 kcal per standard serving);
- cream is the most high-calorie component, adding at least 110 calories, but maybe more (the exact figure can be found on the packaging)
Original raf coffee recipes may include other ingredients: syrup, honey, orange juice and even lavender. Accordingly, homemade raf coffee has a different calorie content, which can be easily calculated independently based on the amount of added ingredients.
Is it healthy to drink raf coffee?
We hasten to please fans of the drink: the benefits of raf coffee are greater than those of classic coffee. The fact is that the cream used in the preparation of raffa has greater nutritional value than regular milk and contains more protein, vitamins and minerals. And due to the fact that the fat content of the cream is at least 10%, the calcium and vitamin D it contains are absorbed better.
Rough coffee also contains more L-tryptophan (an aromatic amino acid) compared to espresso, and this substance has the ability to improve mood and have a calming effect on the nervous system.
Those who are watching their figure may be interested in whether raf coffee is harmful. Alas, it is associated exclusively with the high calorie content of the drink. But you shouldn’t replace cream in raff coffee with milk: you won’t be able to whip such a mixture properly. If you are worried about the calories in raf coffee, it is better to give up the syrup and, of course, follow the measure. You definitely won’t gain extra pounds from one cup a day!
Caution when drinking raf coffee should be observed in case of diseases such as atherosclerosis, liver disease, and increased excitability of the nervous system. It is worth consulting with a doctor about the possibility of drinking coffee-based drinks for people suffering from arrhythmia and any heart diseases.
What types of raf coffee are there?
As we have already said, almost every professional barista has his own recipe for making raff coffee, so the variations of the drink are endless, and finding a classic version of raff in a coffee shop is not as easy a task as it seems.
What is the difference between the varieties of raf coffee?
- different types of coffee are used as a basis;
- white or brown sugar may be added;
- cream is added either cold or heated to a certain temperature;
And, of course, the serving size may vary. The original taste of the drink is given by cinnamon, maple or orange syrup, and the use of cane sugar. Try making raf coffee at home based on the classic version, choosing additives to suit your own taste.
Secrets of serving raf coffee
Proper serving of raf coffee is no less important than the composition of the coffee cocktail. First of all, take care to warm up your coffee cup or glass: at home, simply pour boiling water over it.
Classic recipe
Classic raf is the cocktail that was prepared in the early nineties. The preparation method involves the use of special equipment designed for whipping cream and brewing espresso. You will need the following products:
- 50 ml of freshly brewed coffee;
- 100 g cream;
- 15 g each of regular and vanilla granulated sugar.
The following actions are performed:
- Espresso is brewing.
- All components are placed in a pitcher and whipped.
- The cup is warming up.
- The finished drink is poured into the prepared container.
Citrus raf
If you have already mastered the classic recipe for making raff coffee, surprise your guests with citrus raff. You will need:
- 50 ml freshly brewed espresso;
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon orange syrup;
- 10% cream 100 ml.
The proportions of sugar and syrup can be varied as desired. You can replace the orange syrup with freshly squeezed juice, or use lime juice. Otherwise, the drink is prepared similarly to the classic one. Garnish the serving with a slice of orange or lemon.
Raf with lavender
Most likely, it was lavender raf coffee that was appreciated by the Chinese emperor. Lavender flowers have a rich, bright aroma, complementing the taste of raf coffee. But don't overdo it! A couple of flowers are enough for a standard serving. Grind them in a coffee grinder along with coffee beans before brewing espresso for raffa.
Next, add the heated cream, warm the drink again and beat until fluffy foam with a blender or cappuccino maker.
Cheese raff coffee
Cheese raff coffee has the most unusual taste. Cheese raf is more difficult to prepare, but it has won its fans thanks to its unusual, slightly salty, piquant taste.
The recipe for cheese raff coffee includes, as you might guess, in addition to the classic base in the form of espresso and cream, also cream cheese. For 100 ml of cream there are 50 grams of cheese. Nutmeg, ground ginger, and a cinnamon stick will add originality to the drink.
To get salty raf, add a pinch of salt. This combination may seem unusual to some, but the recipe for salted raffa is popular.
Ideal types of cheese for raff coffee are ricotta, mascarpone, soft curd cheeses such as Philadelphia.
The secret to making cheese coffee is to thoroughly dissolve the cheese in the heated cream. For convenience, you can use a blender. Next, the scheme is similar to the classic raffa recipe: mix cream and coffee, add salt and spices if desired, and whisk to form a fluffy head of foam.
Submission tips and secrets
As a rule, raf coffee is served in cups intended for cappuccino. In this dish, the powder on the surface looks impressive. It is also possible to pour the cocktail into transparent glasses. At the same time, everyone will be able to appreciate its cream color and original balloon cap.
The drink should be served in preheated containers. Thanks to this, it will fully reveal its taste and aromatic qualities. The cocktail is placed on the table immediately after the preparation process is completed. It is extremely important that the foam has not yet settled at this point.
Among the many coffee drinks, raff deserves special attention. This is one of the few coffee recipes that were invented in Russia. It has excellent taste and has gained popularity outside the country. There are many recipes for its preparation. You just have to choose the one that is most suitable for you.
What is raf coffee?
Rough coffee is an espresso-based coffee drink with a lot of sugar and cream.
To make raff coffee yourself, a coffee machine is ideal. To serve the raffa, a professional barista mixes and beats all the ingredients with steam from the coffee machine. The traditional way to serve raf coffee is in a glass goblet or porcelain cup. Gourmets will find in this article non-standard raf coffee recipes and tips for serving it.
Having studied the composition of raff coffee, it becomes obvious that this drink is rather an original cocktail based on coffee and cream. The classic variation is 1 part espresso to 2 parts cream.
However, the simplicity of the cocktail is only apparent. A good coffee shop will probably have a signature version of raf coffee “from the chef.” Various syrups, vanilla, cinnamon and other spices can be used as additives, depending on which the menu may include vanilla raff coffee, orange raff coffee and even cheese raff. But more on that below.
How to drink latte coffee correctly, in which glass to serve it?
Latte coffee in a glass Regular coffee is usually served in small cups. But latte coffee is served in tall glasses with a handle, Irish glasses or other large cups. This coffee should not be confused with regular coffee or cappuccino - these are completely different drinks.
- The cooks of many cafes do not know how to make a real latte and serve guests regular coffee with the addition of milk and syrup.
- But, if the taste does not live up to expectations, then the mood will be ruined.
- In a real latte, the ratio of coffee to milk is 1:3. The base is freshly brewed espresso. The taste of a real latte is not bitter, like coffee, but delicately creamy with a sweetish tint.
- How to drink latte coffee correctly? After serving this drink, you can mix all the layers and drink over the edge of the glass. It would also be correct to drink through a straw, enjoying every sip.
Try the Italian pride - latte coffee. Prepare it for your family or friends. Let everyone know the taste of this wonderful drink with which you can start your morning.
Reviews
Egor, Sergiev Posad
The other day I was in one of the new cafes of the My Family shopping center. I bought coffee-cheese for 250 rubles. A large 400 ml glass with a delicate dessert drink inside. In addition to cheese, a biscuit was also added there. The combination is unusual. You can smell coffee and cheese. But it was tasty and satisfying; you didn’t have to take extra goodies.
Natalya, Moscow
Coffee with cheese is something! An original combination, a specific taste, a pleasant salty aftertaste. I love it when grated cheese is sprinkled on top. It turns out very tasty!
Lyudmila, Penza
I cook raff cheese at home. The recipe is simple, I always buy different coffee, the main thing is that it is natural. It turns out delicious if you choose the right processed cheese. You want it soft, with a delicate creamy flavor.
