The Frappuccino didn't take long to become one of the best selling drinks in the world. The name has even become a "catch all" for a milk based coffee drink in many people's minds, often just called a "frap."
The Short History of Starbucks
The first Starbucks opened in 1971 in the historic Pike Place Market in Seattle. That's the place where they throw the fish. Hope none of those landed in the coffee. ;) The name, Starbucks, comes from Herman Melville's Moby Dick, the classic American novel about the 19th century whaling industry. That's why they have the Mermaid on the logo. Howard Schultz joined Starbucks in 1982. On a trip to Italy, he visited Milan's famous espresso bars and was impressed with their popularity and culture. He returned home and added Lattes and Mochas to Starbucks and Seattle goes coffee-crazy.
The rest of the world quickly follows and today Starbucks has more than 15,000 locations across the globe.
The History of the Frappuccino
Starbucks acquired the rights to a frozen coffee drink similar and the trademarked name, Frappuccino, when it bought out the Coffee Connection of Boston, a chain with 24-stores mostly around New England. A pretty good deal in hindsight.
The original Frap, however, was completely different from the one that Starbucks serves. The name, Frappuccino, is a combination of frappe and cappuccino. An original cappuccino is a strong Italian coffee drink topped with frothed milk -- and still served at Starbucks and every other coffee bar. Frappe is either taken from frappé, a Greek coffee-based milkshake, or from the local New England term for a thick milkshake, frappe. Or perhaps both. Cinnabon serves similar drinks called Mochalatta and Caramelatta and Dunkin' Donuts also has a drink called Coolatta .
So I suppose this is actually 4 recipes in 1. Cool.
Starbucks Frappuccino Recipe
Ingredients
1/2 cup fresh Espresso
2 1/2 cups low fat Milk (2 percent)
1/4 cup granulated Sugar
1 tablespoon dry Pectin (this adds no taste and can easily be left out. What it does is make it "thick")
Directions
Combine all of the ingredients in a pitcher or covered container.
Stir or shake until sugar is dissolved.
Chill and serve cold.
To make the "Mocha" variety:
Add a pinch (1/16 teaspoon) of cocoa powder to the mixture before combining.
This copy will be even more authentic if you use Starbucks beans and grind them yourself just before brewing.
Starbuck's Almond Biscotti
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup chopped or slivered almonds, toasted in a 350 degree oven for 7-10 minutes, until fragrant, and cooled
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon each: vanilla and almond extract
Pinch of salt
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix flour, sugar, nuts and baking powder and pinch of salt either in the food processor or mixer or even by hand.
Whisk eggs and extracts in another bowl until well beaten.
Add egg mixture to flour mixture and process or beat just until combined. Mixture will be sticky and thick.
Grease or spray a cookie sheet.
Divide dough into two parts and transfer to cookie sheet.
With floured hands, shape into 8" long, 1/2" high loaves.
If desired, sprinkle with a bit more of granulated or raw sugar.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, until pale golden and center of loaf is firm when touched.
Remove from cookie sheet and cool.
Place on cutting board and cut into 1/2" thick slices on the diagonal.
Arrange cookies cut side down on same sheet.
Bake another 12-18 minutes, until cookies are turning golden but still a bit soft.
Let cool and store in airtight container.
Makes about 2 dozen.
