by Primrose Monteiro DSouza | December 22, 2020, 15:46 IST
Marvel at a few Christmas traditions from across the world that celebrate the warmth of coffee with Abdul Sahid Khan, Head Trainer, Lavazza India
Christmas is all about cozying up with your family and enjoying your favourite hot beverage during the cold winter evenings. Coffee, being a very versatile ingredient, is the best base to spruce up any Christmas drink and kick in that Christmas spirit. Coffee has been a part of various Christmas traditions that have been observed for ages, especially in the northern regions of the globe, where coffee holds a great significance during the winter months.
Here are a few age-old traditions linking coffee and Christmas…
When Coffee Was Black Gold
In countries like Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and Russia, coffee and Christmas are inseparable; the festivities would not feel complete without coffee, either as a gift or on the table. This tradition dates back to the 19th century, when coffee used to be a luxury item. ‘Black Gold’ was considered an excellent gift as it was expensive and used as a gift by the rich class of Europe and Russia. To bring coffee as a gift was always considered a meaningful gesture.
When Roasting Coffee Was A Family Thing
In the Victorian era, coffee was well known for being the ultimate Christmas beverage; families were known to come together especially to roast coffee!
When Coffee is Like Christmas Dinner
Greenland has a tradition where they host unplanned coffee gatherings known as Kaffemikker, this is also an alternative to a traditional Christmas dinner.
When Coffee is About Giving
Christmas is synonymous with benevolence. Another tradition that celebrates this emotion is caffè sospeso. Also known as pending coffee, the tradition encourages an act of kindness by paying for a cup of coffee for a stranger in advance anonymously. The tradition began within the working-class cafés of Naples; a person who had experienced good luck would order a sospeso, pay the price of two coffees, and receive only one for consumption. The already-paid-for cup would then be available to any poor person who came enquiring for a sospeso. Many countries have adopted the sospeso to boost sales, and to promote kindness at the same time.
Whether as a gift or on the table, coffee brings people together. This Christmas, try replicating some of these traditions or create your own Christmas coffee rituals.
Cinnamon Mocha Cappuccino
Ingredients
150 ml cup milk
10 ml cinnamon syrup
20 ml chocolate syrup/ sauce
150 ml brewed coffee (french press coffee will be perfect)
Ground cinnamon or unsweetened cocoa powder
Method
- Microwave the milk on HIGH for one to one-and-a-half minutes or until hot but not boiling. Beat the hot milk with an electric mixer, increasing speed as milk begins to thicken. Continue beating until foamy.
- Microwave the cinnamon and chocolate syrups in a microwave-safe coffee cup on HIGH for 20 seconds. Stir in the brewed coffee.
- Add the steamed milk, spooning the foam over the top. Sprinkle cinnamon or cocoa powder. Serve immediately.
Article link: https://www.femina.in/food/recipes/festivewithfemina-did-you-know-the-link-between-coffee-and-christmas-181469.html
abdulsahidkhan 