HOW TO MAKE A FRAPPE

Today we are going to talk about Frappe, the "traditional" Greek instant iced coffee. There are many folk stories about the origins of Frappe (I'm not buying the Wiki b.s) but we are just focusing on how to make one.
For me it's an enjoyable cold drink that you can have especially in the warmer months of the year but Greeks would argue that they have Frappes all year long.

Ingredients:
Coffee , preferably Nestle's Nescafe

Sugar - optional
Milk - optional. In case you want milk, you can either use evaporated milk ("NOUNOU" that comes in mini portions is the obvious Greek choice) or Fresh Milk (Cypriot choice).

Water
Ice cubes

Mixing Tools:
There are 2 common types of mixers that people use to make their Frappes, a hand mixer (with a power cord or battery operated) and a type of mixer machine sitting on a base.

Personally I prefer a hand mixer because you are more flexible with the different kinds of glasses you are using. Taller glasses for the hardcore frappe lover cannot be used with a base mixer. The metal rod just cannot reach the bottom of the glass for it to mix the ingredients.
Warning: If you are thinking of purchasing a hand mixer do not confuse it with a frother. A frother looks like this.

See the difference in the tip of the machine? This cannot do the trick fellas.

Preparation:
-Take an empty glass and add 1 good teaspoon of coffee in it. Then pour water on top just to cover the coffee.
-Take your mixer and start mixing the water with the coffee for a few seconds until the mixture becomes like a light brown foam. Take your glass and have a look at the bottom. If you see any coffee traces just mix it a bit more until it all becomes foamy.
-Add 3-4 ice cubes on top of the mixture. (Depending on the size of the ice cubes you can use less or more)
-Simply pour cold water to fill up the glass and you are finished!

Your frappe is served with a straw and should look like this:



NOTE:
If you want sugar with your coffee you should put it along with the coffee before you mix.
And say if you want milk you should pour the milk along with the cold water in the end.

COMMON MISTAKES
-Too much water at the beginning leads to more foam when mixed and leaves no room for the water. Try to juuust cover the teaspoon of coffee with the water.
-Frappe is too bitter or too weak. This is all about personal taste and experience. A medium sized glass would require only one teaspoon of coffee and no less. A bigger glass could take up to 2 teaspoons.
-You are wondering: Why am I chewing chunks of coffee? Try to mix the coffee to perfection in able to avoid this nasty feeling.

INTERNET AND TV PACKAGES:THE MEGA GUIDE

Good day bitches,

Now that I got your attention we are going to talk about Tv and Internet in the stupidly expensive Cyprus.

As an avid football fan I want to be able to watch every game. I mean I want my Premier League, Spanish La Liga, Serie A, the odd Greek Super League game and the colorful South American games.
What about the Cypriot "derbys"? They are a joke but we grew up supporting the local teams so what the heck. So get me the Cypriot channels as well...

You all know how much a TV Package subscription costs. A LOT. Cyprus? Ridiculous.


Just a quick check for Cyprus. I included links to their websites to see for yourselves. Some of them have step by step wizards to customize your package.

TV PACKAGE PRICES

Nova Cyprus
€59.00 a month for the full package.

LTV
56.50+1.50 (equipment fee)=€58 for the full package. (you save 1 euro!!!!)

Cablenet
In collaboration with LTV again... It's €69.90 a month including the 2mbps internet connection.
You can also see their new prices here

Primetel
In collaboration with Nova this time... It's €82.17 a month including a 2mbs internet connection


There is always the easy solution of card sharing. But there is a catch.
You must first have an internet connection in able to do that. So you have to research and find the cheapest internet subscription possible and when added up to the card sharing connection fee you get good value for your money.

INTERNET CONNECTION PRICES

Cablenet: €23.90 for 1mbps. Source

Primetel: Internet+Telephony (4mbps) €39.90. Source. I called them to ask for an exclusively internet package but there isn't one.

Cytanet: This is a creation of the geniuses at Cyta. The total price is calculated by the Land line rent fee + DSL Access fee + Netrunner fee= 16.02+6,90+8,60= €31,52 for a 512kbps connection. Source1 . Source 2.

MTN (ex OTENET Cyprus): I also had to call them. 4mbps is €33.00. 8mbps is €45.00



Bottom line:
If you just want to watch your football and surf the net casually and most importantly save yourself some money pick the cheapest internet subscription and get someone to install a Satelite Box for you along with a card sharing option.

Card sharing providers are of course illegal but easy to find by asking around.
Prices vary but it is usually in the range of 15-20 euros a month which is still a lot for a dodgy signal that often freezes plus it depends on the stability of your internet connection.

There is the option of setting up your own Box by getting keys from the internet which is a lot cheaper and I am exploring this prospect as we speak. I'll let you know if it works.