Dalgona coffee became a viral sensation during the COVID-19 pandemic, popularized through social media platforms like Instagram (#dalgona).
Dalgona Coffee is a beverage with thick coffee foam placed on top of a glass of milk. It’s a reverse of the usual milk coffee where typically the coffee is the main drink with a topping of cream. Instead, Dalgona coffee is milk topped with coffee foam.
The term ‘Dalgona’ originates from a popular South Korean street candy called Dalgona or Ppopgi, which is a sweet sponge-like toffee popular in the 1970s, now resurfacing as a nostalgic treat.
Making Dalgona Coffee
The basic idea of Dalgona coffee is transforming a sugar and coffee solution into a frothy foam. The foam is created by mixing instant coffee powder, sugar, and hot water in equal proportions (1:1:1 ratio).
For this recipe, I used Nescafe Classic coffee powder because it dissolves perfectly in water, leaving no residues and creating a smooth, abundant foam.
Methods to Create Frothy Coffee
1. Manual Method
There are several ways to manually create frothy coffee. Some people use a tea strainer, while others shake the mixture in a bottle for 3-8 minutes.
2. Using Appliances / Machines
The easiest technique to make Dalgona coffee is with a mixer. Using a mixer, you don’t need to stir the coffee-sugar solution for long; just mix for about 2-3 minutes.
Initially, I considered using a Tokebi hand blender with a foam blade, which is known for making foam easily. However, when I tried using it to whip up a 2-tablespoon coffee mixture, it didn’t expand much. Perhaps due to the small volume, the foam didn’t form well.
I then switched to using a regular mixer, which worked perfectly, quickly creating a firm and expanded coffee foam.
Adjust the foam’s thickness to your preference. Some people like it slightly runny, while others prefer a denser foam.
Once the foam is ready, prepare ¾ of a glass of UHT milk (add ice for an iced version or use hot water for a hot version) and top it with the coffee foam.
Simple Dalgona Coffee Recipe
Ingredients
Topping:
- 2 tbsp instant coffee powder
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp boiling water
Milk Base:
- Ice cubes (as needed)
- UHT milk
Instructions
- Prepare a bowl or glass.
- Combine the coffee powder, sugar, and boiling water. Stir well with a spoon.
- Whip with a mixer at high speed for about 3 minutes until it thickens. Set aside.
- Prepare a glass filled with ice cubes and fill it ¾ with UHT milk.
- Top with the prepared coffee foam.
- Serve chilled.
