In the 1930s, physicists started discovering a whole zoo full of exotic atomic particles. There were muons and kaons and who-knows-what-else-ons. When told of these, the famous physicist Enrico Fermi said: 'If I wanted to remember all that I would have become a botanist.' Ironically, later he invented the process used in atomic bombs.



I feel the same way about coffee. It may be fascinating and delicious and even romantic, but sheesh - all those names!

The Frappe is one ??" not spelled the way it sounds, the e is silent. Espresso with milk and sugar added and poured over ice. To make it interesting add a bit of crme de cacao and brandy. This is really a refreshing drink.

The counterpart to the innocent Frappe is the wicked Cappuccino Borgia, named for the famed poisoner. You'll just die for one of these quarter-cup peeled orange, one and a half cup chocolate ice cream dreams. Add also six tablespoons of orange juice and a quarter-cup milk to an espresso, blend and start speaking 15th century Italian.

Another sweet drink with an interesting name is the Calypso Cooler. You sweeten a rich cup of coffee with 2 cups of coffee ice cream and a few bananas. Add to that about 4 tbsp of rum and you're ready to dance.

Lets go Latin with the Caffee Zabaglone. This starts with an Italian coffee blend, dark roast. Take cup of Marsala; add 1 cup of sugar 4 eggs and a sprinkle of salt. Blend these together and heat until it is think. Then pour it over your Italian blend cooled to room temperature. This is one cup of coffee sure to wake you up.

Back to the silent letters, lets try a Mardi Gras (silent s). A good American coffee blend to which you add eggnog and bourbon and cup of heavy cream. That will have you dancing in the street.

Ordinary Turkish coffee is famous for its dark, strong flavor cut with cardamom. But they're not the only ones to have discovered a good use for this ancient spice. Scandinavians make a Cardamom Kaffee.

In your microwave heat the mixture of 1/8 cup of cognac 2 tsp of curacao and 2 tsp of sugar along with a cardamon pod which you have opened to remove the seeds. Heat for only 10 seconds and the put a match to it. Add your coffee and prepare yourself for something different!

Despite all the names, I have to give credit to the many creative inventors of all those different mixtures. They may not have invented huge bombs, but their products sure do give you a jolt!