Grole facts for kids
A grole (pronounced "groll") is a special wooden bowl with many spouts and a small lid. It's usually round and not very deep. The number of spouts on a grole matches how many people will share the drink inside. These unique bowls come from the Savoy region in France and the Aosta Valley area in northwest Italy. People often use a grole after a day of skiing or after a big dinner, especially if they've had fondue or raclette.
What is a Grole?
A grole is more than just a bowl; it's a symbol of friendship and sharing. It's made from wood and often has beautiful carvings. The design allows several people to drink from it at the same time, each from their own spout. This makes it a fun and social way to enjoy a warm drink together.
The Friendship Coffee
Traditionally, a grole holds a hot drink often called café de l'amitié, which means "coffee of friendship." This special drink usually starts with black coffee. Then, other ingredients are added to give it a unique and delicious flavor. The exact recipe can change from one cafe or restaurant to another. Some places might have their own secret "house speciality" recipe. No matter the exact mix, the drink served in a grole is always hot and tasty.
Sharing a grole is a fun tradition! Usually, between 2 and 10 people can share one grole. Each person gets their own spout to drink from. Everyone takes a sip, then passes the grole to the next person. This continues around the group until the drink is finished. The person who gets the very last sip often gets a bit of playful teasing from the others! It's a great way to connect and have fun with friends and family.
Making the Grole Drink
Making the traditional grole drink involves a special process. For each person, you might start with a cup of coffee, a small amount of a special flavoring liquid (like orange or lime), and two spoons of sugar.
First, the coffee is poured into the grole. Then, the flavoring liquid is added slowly so it doesn't mix too much with the coffee right away. A unique part of the preparation involves a spoon of sugar that is carefully lit with a small amount of the flavoring liquid. This creates a flame, similar to how some traditional drinks are prepared. This flaming step adds a lovely caramel flavor to the mixture. The drink is served very hot, and as you sip it, you can enjoy the warm, sweet aroma.
