The term “frappe” has a couple different meanings when it comes to blenders and drinks. Here’s a quick rundown of what frappe means:
Frappe as a Frothy Drink
The most common use of “frappe” refers to a frothy, blended iced coffee drink. A coffee frappe is made by blending together coffee, milk, ice, and often sugar or flavored syrups in a blender. This results in a thick, frothy, creamy frozen coffee drink.
Some key characteristics of the coffee frappe:
- Uses brewed coffee as a base
- Blended with milk and ice
- Thick, frothy texture
- Served cold like a milkshake
Coffee frappes can be customized with different flavors, toppings, and mixes-ins to create a wide variety of frozen coffee drinks. They are a popular menu item at coffee shops and cafes.
Frappe as a Mixing Setting
The “frappe” setting on a blender refers to a specific blending function designed to create thick, frothy drinks. When you select the frappe setting, the blender will blend at high speeds to incorporate air and create a light, smooth texture.
Some key characteristics of the frappe blending setting:
- Designed for mixing icy drinks
- Blades spin at high speeds
- Incorporates air into the blend
- Creates a thick, frothy texture
The frappe setting is ideal for making milkshakes, smoothies, and of course, coffee frappes. It blends up thick frozen drinks without watering them down too much. So when a recipe calls for “blending on frappe”, it’s instructing you to use that high-speed setting.
Origin of the Word Frappe
The word “frappe” comes from the French verb “frapper” meaning “to chill” or “to cool”. In French, “une frappe” referred to a chilled drink. The word made its way into American culture in the early 20th century as frozen drinks became popular.
Some theories on the history of the frappe term:
- May have roots as a chilled French cocktail in the late 1800s
- Used at American soda fountains starting in the early 1900s to describe ice cream sodas
- In New England, “frappe” came to mean a thick milkshake made with ice cream
The frozen coffee drink we know as a coffee frappe likely evolved from the New England-style milkshake frappe. The term became associated with blended iced coffee drinks in the 1960s and 70s at coffee shops.
Other Meanings of Frappe
While frappe primarily refers to frothy blended drinks and a blending function, the word can have some other nuances as well:
- Frappe mix – Refers to premade powdered mixes used to flavor milkshakes and frappes.
- Frapper – Can mean the blender used to make frappes, or the person who makes the drinks.
- Frappuccino – A branded version of the coffee frappe made popular by Starbucks.
Common Types of Frappes
The coffee-based frappe is most common, but frappes can be made with all kinds of flavors. Here are some popular frappe varieties:
| Type | Base | Popular Flavors |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee | Brewed coffee | Mocha, vanilla, caramel, hazelnut |
| Fruit | Fruit juice or puree | Strawberry, mango, orange, lemon |
| Cream/Milkshake | Ice cream or milk | Chocolate, cookies & cream, mint, peanut butter |
| Green/Healthy | Yogurt, sorbet, matcha | Banana, avocado, spinach, matcha |
Tips for Making Frappes at Home
Here are some tips for making great frappe drinks at home in your blender:
- Use very cold ingredients – it makes a thicker, frostier drink
- Add ice cubes if using fresh fruit instead of frozen fruit
- Use full fat dairy for creamier texture
- Blend on frappe or “crush ice” setting if available
- Sweeten to taste with sugar, honey, or other sweeteners
- Top with whipped cream, spices, or additional flavors
- Use a straw to prevent drink from sinking and separating
Conclusion
On a blender, “frappe” refers both to a style of frothy frozen drink as well as a specific blending function designed to create that thick, smooth texture. While coffee is a popular base, endless frappe flavors are possible using fruits, chocolate, caramel, and more. So next time you see a “frappe” button on a blender or a recipe calls for the frappe treatment, you’ll know it’s referring to that light, creamy, and refreshing blended beverage so many of us love!