We teach you how to prepare Barraquito coffee
The Canary Islands are a spectacular Spanish archipelago with a tropical climate, very famous for its white and dark sand beaches. Its good climate all year round and because each island has special and differentiated characteristics. This paradise has an exquisite and very diverse gastronomy, since its cuisine ranges from Canarian stew, delicious fresh fish, Canarian clothes, rabbit with salmorejo or potatoes with mojo. But there is also a great treasure hidden in these lands: The Barraquito coffee, a multi-layered sweet drink.
It is a ground coffee, to which ingredients such as condensed milk, foamed milk, liqueur, and espresso are added, forming several layers. The drink, which is also known as zaperoco, is served in a medium or tall glass. While its decoration consists of putting cinnamon powder and lemon zest.
It is definitely a drink with a pleasant flavor, and everyone who tries it for the first time is left wanting another cup. If you want to know more about Barraquito, from its origins to its recipe, we invite you to continue reading so you can share it with your loved ones.
Origins of Barraquito coffee
There are many versions related to its origin. However, the most accurate one takes us to the middle of the last century. When Don Sebastian Rubio, a regular customer of Imperial Bar, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, whose nickname was 'Barraquito' or 'Barraco', used to order a coffee with condensed milk to accompany his breakfast.
As if that were not enough, he asked for it to be served. in a long glass or a small glass of liquor 43, with a slice of lemon and cinnamon. A quite interesting decoration, which aroused the curiosity of those present. As time went by, the drink began to gain popularity until it spread throughout the islands.
Currently, the bar where the Barraquito coffee allegedly emerged is still active. But there are those who claim that it all started in the Paragüitas bar, also located in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
There are other versions that point to Manolo Grijaldo, a waiter at a bar located in front of Plaza la Marquesina, in the Port of Santa Cruz, as the creator of this preparation. But not all canaries take it as a reference.
What is a Barraquito coffee?
It is a coffee preparation of Canarian origin, which consists of the union of several ingredients, which form around five layers of different colors, making it very attractive and delicious.
The main characteristic of this drink is based on its sweetness, after combining condensed milk with liquor 43. As a result of this, it is often not considered a coffee. but as dessert, even though it contains espresso. If you plan to travel to the Canary Islands soon and want to try this sugar and caffeine bomb, you can do so in any bar, cafeteria or restaurant in the west of the archipelago (La Palma, El Hierro, Tenerife and La Gomera).
Unfortunately, enjoying a cup of Barraquito on La Palma will be difficult. But if you're lucky, you'll get it under the name zaperoco.
Some variations of this drink can be seen among the islands. For example, in Tenerife the Barraquito that contains liquor is the 'special'. In La Palma, El Hierro and La Gomera, liquor is already included.
Types of Barraquito
As time went by, varieties of this coffee emerged and to tell the truth, it is almost always difficult for us to decide since all of them exceed our expectations. So shortly, we will share which are the most popular types of Barraquito that you should not miss.
Barraquito
Before ordering this drink, we must consider the island where we are. As we explained above, in La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma, the Barraquito already includes liquor 43. If we want it without this ingredient, we simply have to ask for a 'Barraquito without alcohol'.
Special Barraquito
In Tenerife, if we want to consume it in the conventional way, we must ask the waiter to bring us a special one. Where they also usually put the lemon slice and cinnamon powder, to give it a more attractive touch.
Zaperoco
With this name we can get it in the province of La Palma, where they serve it in the conventional way.
How to prepare Barraquito coffee at home?
In case you are not yet planning to travel to the Canary Islands, or you have just arrived from this paradise and want to surprise your loved ones with this drink. Well, you are in the right place since below we will teach you how to prepare this delicious coffee in the comfort of your kitchen and without spending a lot of money.
Well, to prepare a Barraquito coffee you must have the following ingredients:
- Liquor 43
- Coffee
- Milk
- condensed milk
- cinnamon powder
- lemon
The quantities of each ingredient will depend on the taste of each consumer or the Canarian community where the recipe is being recreated.
Preparation
The first thing we must do is place a small amount of condensed milk at the bottom of the glass. Then we add liquor 43, which will give an interesting touch to the drink. Once these steps are finished, we proceed to heat the milk either in a vaporizer like the one that comes with the super automatic coffee maker of Incapto Coffee or the cappuccino maker which is also part of our product catalogue, to foam it.
Once we froth the milk, we must place it on top of the liquor without the two mixing.
The time has come to pour the espresso, we have to do this slowly over the foam. We can use a spoon to make the coffee expand along the walls of the glass, thus preventing it from mixing with the liquor. Later, we add some milk to the coffee, in the same way and very carefully.
Finally, we place the foam, sprinkle the cinnamon and a slice or zest of lemon and that's it!
It should be noted that the order of the ingredients should not be altered for any reason. If not, we will alter the drink and the layers of colors (white, yellow, light brown) so characteristic of Barraquito coffee will not form.
Barraquito coffee is one of the most delicious preparations that can exist, although due to its high levels of sugar, its consumption should be done with caution. If you are still planning your vacation for the summer season, and you are a lover of good coffee, you can include the Canary Islands as your next destination and enjoy this drink in any bar or cafe in the archipelago.
In Incapto We have models of subscriptions for coffee beans, you can also buy coffee beans Incapto whenever you want and with the amount you need.
Sources:
Barraquito Canarian coffee: Everything you need to know about this type of coffee
