Is Dalgona Coffee Worth the Hype?
By Fran DeNunzio
Social distancing and self-isolation have given us a lot more time on our hands than normal. It can be a challenge to find different ways to occupy our time and entertain ourselves. There’s only so much Netflix you can watch before feeling a bit restless. Personally, I have been spending more time in my kitchen. Trying out new recipes has added some variety to my schedule.
Recently, a new coffee trend has been popping up all over social media and the internet. It’s called Dalgona coffee. It’s named after a South Korean toffee candy due to its similar appearance. It is also referred to as whipped coffee because of the whipped texture that the coffee acquires through mixing with the other ingredients. Many people have been making this drink to pass the time in quarantine. Why the craze over this drink? First of all, it is an extremely easy recipe. It only requires a few simple ingredients and takes less than ten minutes to make. Secondly, it is a very aesthetically pleasing drink. The appearance of the fluffy coffee mixture dolloped on top of a glass of milk makes the drink look like it came straight from a high-end coffee shop.
But is this drink worth the hype? I say yes. I tried it out, and I loved it. Not only was it fun to make, but it tastes delicious. It reminded me of a latte because it has a similar creamy and frothy texture. But instead of the froth coming from the milk, as it does in a latte, it comes from the coffee.
Don’t just take my word for it, though. Try it out yourself with the recipe below! It’s a great activity to do in self-isolation.
Dalgona Coffee Recipe
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of instant coffee
2 tablespoons of hot water (must be hot so that the sugar and coffee will dissolve)
2 tablespoons of sugar
Any kind of milk or milk alternative
Directions:
1. Add the instant coffee, water, and sugar to a bowl.
2. Whip the ingredients together using a mixer for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture becomes smooth, thick, and can hold its shape. The coffee mixture will have a light brown appearance by the time you are done. If you don’t have a mixer available, you can also whip the ingredients together by hand using a spatula, whisk, or spoon. It will just take you longer!
3. Spoon the whipped coffee mixture on top of the milk of your choosing. Then mix the drink until the coffee and milk portions have combined. If you like strong coffee, I suggest either adding more of the coffee mixture to your drink or pouring less milk into the drink.
4. Customize your drink. Depending on your preference, this drink can be made iced or hot by adding ice or heating up the milk. If you love having flavor in your coffee, try adding some cinnamon, cocoa powder, or vanilla. Enjoy!
