Coffee Raf
Pxhere

Coffee Raf

Russia
Moscow, Russia

Coffee Raf, a uniquely Russian coffee, originated in Moscow in the late 1990s and quickly spread to other former USSR (CCCP) states. Coffee Raf is a mix of espresso, cream, and vanilla sugar with optional added cinnamon. Its sweet flavor makes this coffee fall into the category of desert coffees.

 

Contents

 

Coffee Beans and Caffeine Content of Coffee Raf

Coffee Raf is typically brewed using finely ground coffee because of the espresso shot it contains is made using the brewint technicue of an espresso machine or sometimes a Moka pot. Traditionally, Arabica beans are favored for Coffee Raf due to their smooth and slightly sweet taste. Arabica beans pair well with the cream and vanilla sugar used for making Raf. But there is good news for those that want more caffeine intake, some variations incorporate a blend of Arabica and Robusta beans to add a stronger, more intense taste, and this goes well because Caffee Raf's sweet note can completely hide the Robusta bitternes.

The caffeine content in Coffee Raf depends primarily on the espresso shot used. A standard 30ml (1oz) espresso shot contains about 80mg of caffeine, just as in an Italian espresso, Cuban Cafecito or any other coffee with an single shot Espresso base.

It is important to note that despite its sweet flavor, the sugar and cream of Coffee Raf do not reduce the caffeine’s effects. These ingredients are there just to balance the bitterness of espresso, the same way as adding whipped cream and chocolate is used to mask espresso bitterness in American Caffe Mocha.

 

Origin and History of Coffee Raf

The story of Coffee Raf dates back to the end of 1990s in Moscow, the capital of Russia. A regular customer named Rafael visited a local café and asked for something less bitter than an Espresso but more fulfilling than a Caffe Latte, so baristas working quickly experimented and quickly created a new drink by blending espresso, cream, and sugar directly in a steaming pitcher. The result was a velvety frothy coffee that was sweet all around. Rafael loved it, and the drink quickly spread across the city and gained popularity in many Moscow cafés. And yes, you gessed it, Coffee was named “Raf” after Rafael.

Coffee Raf's popularity grew across Russia and in many states of the former USSR (CCCP), being most popular in Kiev, Ukraine. Unfortunately, Coffee Raf has lost popularity there due to the Russian-Ukranian war.

 

Ingredients

  1. 1 shot of espresso (around 30ml)
  2. 150ml heavy cream with a fat content of no more than 30%
  3. Any kind of syrup you prefer (1 full spoon)
  4. 1–2 teaspoons vanilla sugar (or vanilla extract and sugar)
  5. Optional: ground cinnamon

 

How to Make Coffee Raf

Making Coffee Raf at home is very easy and quick if you have an espresso machine or a moka pot.

  1. Prepare the Espresso: Brew one shot of espresso using your preferred method.
  2. Mix the Ingredients: In a small steaming pitcher, pot or milk frother, pour the heavy cream, syrup, vanilla sugar, and espresso.
  3. Whip it Together: Use a milk frother, whisk, or steam wand to mix everything together until the cream becomes frothy and smooth.
  4. Add Cinnamon on Top: However, this is completely optional.
  5. Serve: Pour the frothy mixture into a cup and enjoy immediately.

 

Coffee Raf Facts and Trivia

  • A Russian Creation: Unlike many other coffee drinks with Italian, American or Middle Eastern origins, Coffee Raf is uniquely Russian.
  • A Coffee for Dessert Lovers: With its sweet and creamy profile, Coffee Raf is considered a desert coffee.
  • Customizable to Your Will: You can experiment with flavors by adding cinnamon, caramel, or even a hint of cocoa to your Coffee Raf.