Cafe Blanc, Hot & Iced (White Coffee)

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A whole new take on Cafe Blanc..

“The Traditional” and my twist “The Iced”!

When entertaining, or on occasions, I like to offer my guests a variety of beverages. And I do like to include at least one traditional beverage among the varieties. However, even when it comes to traditional beverages like coffees and teas, I always like to offer something that sounds familiar but in a totally new light. This right here is one of my favourite such beverages.

Cafe Blanc

is a Levantine creation. It is simply boiled water that is flavoured with orange blossom (a very traditional and popular Levantine flavour). Back in the day, this beverage used to be served very often, as it is believed to aid in digestion and also in soothing a sore stomach. It then took the back stage for a while, where very few people continued to make and serve it. It was in Paris that a cafe offered this drink in the late 1990’s which became very trendy over there. Then shortly after that some Lebanese cafes started offering this orange blossom drink that it was again popularised and brought back to the Arabic cafe scene.

This is a delightful beverage, served as is with boiled water (sweetened or not). It is definitely a drink that will give your guests something to talk about. However, if you really want to give them the ultimate Cafe Blanc treat then try serving my version: The Iced Cafe Blanc. It is delightful, full rounded and fragrant, an amazing summer drink with all things good, without the caffeine of course, but with loads of good stuff and flavour. It looks great, tastes very delicate and is what a summer breeze smells like.

 

Speaking of Orange Blossom

I have included for you a video of one of my right now favourite Arab music bands. Their name is orange blossom and they play beautiful and very interesting fusion music. They have Arabic, French and English songs very very interesting. Enjoy 🙂

Ingredients

For the hot version

  • 1 ltr Boiling Water
  • 1 tbsp Orange blossom water

For the Cold Version

  • 1 ltr Boiling Water
  • 1 tbsp Orange blossom water
  • 1 pear, thinly sliced
  • cinnamon sticks
  • fresh thyme sprigs
  • 1/2 cup unfiltered pear juice

Boil water in a tea pot, remove from heat. Add Orange blossom water and stir to mix.

This beverage is traditionally served in Mini Clear Crystal tea cups, but can also be served in clear white tea cups.

To Flavour Cafe Blanc

Add lightly crushed cardamon seeds to water and bring to a boil, remove and add Orange Blossom water.
You can also add Rose water as well as orange blossom water.

For the Iced Cafe Blanc

Prepare as above by boiling the water then adding the orange blossom water and mixing.

Fill a pitcher with ice, add the unfiltered pear juice, 2 cinnamon sticks, some fresh thyme sprigs, some slices of pear and the cafe blanc and mix well.

In serving cups place a cinnamon stick, a couple of sprigs of fresh thyme and a slice of pear with the ice, then pour the iced cafe blanc over and serve.

 

Turn up the music and chill out. Live the dream…

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