Raf coffee facts for kids
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| Type | Coffee |
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| Country of origin | Russia |
Raf or raf coffee is a super popular coffee drink from Russia. It became famous in the late 1990s. To make it, baristas mix a shot of espresso with cream and vanilla sugar. Then, they use a special steam wand to make it all foamy and delicious.
Raf coffee is different from a latte. A latte usually uses milk, but Raf coffee uses cream. Also, with Raf, the cream, coffee, and sugar are all frothed together. Sometimes, people use sweet syrup instead of vanilla sugar.
How to Make Raf Coffee
Making Raf coffee is a bit like a science experiment! First, a little syrup goes into a cup. Then, a shot of espresso is added. Next, warm cream is poured in, along with some vanilla sugar. All these ingredients are heated together to about 65 degrees Celsius (149 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Step 1: Pour some syrup into a coffee cup.
- Step 2: Add 35 ml of espresso.
- Step 3: Mix in warm cream and vanilla sugar.
- Step 4: Heat everything together until it's nice and warm.
Often, a finished Raf coffee is sprinkled with ground cinnamon. There are also many fun versions of the drink. Some people add a little honey instead of sugar, or even lavender for a unique taste!
The Story of Raf Coffee
Raf coffee first appeared in Moscow, Russia, around 1996 or 1997. It was invented at a coffee shop called "Coffee Bean." A regular customer named Rafael Timerbaev wanted to try something new. Three baristas, Gleb Neveikin, Artem Berestov, and Galina Samokhina, worked together. They experimented and created a new drink just for Rafael.
At first, they called it "coffee for Raf." Soon, other customers started asking for "the same coffee as for Raf." Over time, the name became shorter and simpler: "Raf coffee" or just "Raf." This special coffee quickly became popular in coffee shops all over Russia. It was especially loved in Moscow.
By 2018, Raf coffee had started to spread beyond Russia. Coffee shops in countries like Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Belarus also began making it. Outside of these areas, Raf coffee is not as well known. However, you might find it in some coffee shops in places like the Czech Republic, Israel, Romania, and Indonesia.
Some coffee experts in Russia think that the strong taste of cream and vanilla sugar can hide the espresso flavor. But they also agree that Raf coffee is one of the few new coffee drinks that came from Russia. They also say that the popularity of this sweet drink shows a special part of Russian coffee culture.
