Dalgona Coffee ?… err… sorry…dal… I didn’t quite catch that… dal-what?
Most of you may never have heard of Dalgona coffee – you’ve never been offered one by a friend and have certainly never spied one on the menu of even the quirkiest of cafés.
But if you’ve been anywhere near social media in the past week (and we know you have!), then you will undoubtedly have at least seen one of these eye-gasmic frothy coffee delights pop up on your timeline.
Better known as the ‘creamy coffee’, and for good reason, Dalgona coffee is the all-new South Korean coffee craze which has seemingly taken over Instagram, TikTok and Youtube overnight, making them possibly the second most viral thing in the world after the coronavirus.
So yeah, they’re a pretty big deal.
A kind of reverse-engineered cappuccino, they’re genuinely one of the most innovative and unique types of java we’ve seen in a long time, and so it wouldn’t be a surprise if they suddenly became the hottest order on the planet once our beloved coffee shops are re-opened.
As opposed to a standard coffee drink with frothed milk poured on top, Dalgona’s require you to whip up a kind of tasty coffee sweet treat topping to dollop over milk, and can be served hot or cold, depending on how you like it!
This method of creation has also seen them dubbed the ‘whipped coffee’ by the non-coffee connoisseurs among us.
But just why has this unusual Asian coffee invasion taken over the world so quickly – and why on earth haven’t you heard of it until just now?!
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Why Dalgona Coffee is Going Viral
Chances are, if you’re not au fait with the likes of TikTok, then the delights of a Dalgona may well have passed you by.
Although mostly used as a lip-syncing, video-sharing app, TikTok is a social media network which allows users to create any type of video they want, provided it is no longer than 15 seconds.
And with everyone stuck indoors for the foreseeable future thanks to the coronavirus, the app has become a popular way for people to spend their time – creating sketches, dance routines, and interestingly… recipes!
Now, you might already be thinking, what kinds of recipes could be filmed in their entirety in just 15 seconds? And to save you some brainpower, we’ll tell you – not many.
But this is exactly the reason why the Dalgona is suddenly the most popular drink in the galaxy because it’s preparation method is just so easy that it actually can be explained in one TikTok, promising viewers they can make something just as scrumptious in 15 seconds too!
A TikTok from @imhannahcho is thought to be the originator of the craze, and has been viewed over an astonishing 11 million times!
And when you see the results of something that takes so little effort, it’s no wonder people have been going bananas for this beverage.
I mean… just look at it.
With so many people looking for things to do and ways to entertain themselves, the recipe has also proved a great mini experiment to try out, and costs nothing thanks to its standard cupboard-fare ingredients. It’s also a fantastic DIY alternative to the frothy frappuccinos and iced creamy coffees that millions are craving now they can no longer run off to their nearest coffee shop.
As people have begun sharing their mocha masterpiece results after just a few minutes in the kitchen, the craze has quickly spread from TikTok to Instagram, Facebook, Youtube and more, until voila! Everyone and their mother is suddenly posting about their whipped up creamy coffees.
And guess what… something tells us you’ll be joining them very shortly…
How To Make Dalgona Coffee
Prepare to witness quite possibly the easiest recipe of all time… seriously.
First up, the ingredients list, which if you’re lucky, won’t even require a trip to the shops!
You Will Need:
2 tbsp of coffee powder (instant or espresso)
2 tbsp of sugar
2 tbsp of very hot water
400ml of milk
And now for the method, a two-step, five minute routine… literally.
Method
- Add coffee powder, sugar and hot water to a mixing bowl. Then, using an electric hand-held mixer, whip the coffee mixture quickly until it is light brown, fluffy and holds stiff peaks when the whisk is removed. This is your whipped coffee topping.
- Heat the milk if desired, and pour into a heatproof glass. Alternatively, apply ice cubes to the milk to have your coffee cold. Then, spoon dollops of your whipped coffee mixture on top of the milk and smooth out with a spoon.
Yes, you heard.
It’s that easy.
But feel free to spice it up a little bit and add extra ingredients to suit your fancy! We recommend a little coffee liqueur for the more boozy among you, or caramel sauce for the super sweet toothed!
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I Make Dalgona Coffee Without An Electric Mixer?
Yes! Although, be prepared for the process to take much longer. Even someone with an iron fist will probably take around 20 minutes to whip up the right texture by hand.
Can I Use Any Type Of Coffee?
No! Instant coffee powder is the only way to get that perfect texture
Can I Use Any Type Of Sugar?
Granulated works best, but this can be brown, white, raw etc.
Can I Make It Without Sugar?
Yes! A lot of us are looking to cut back on our sugar intake, and so you’ll be pleased to know the recipe works without it. However, bear in mind that this will make for a super strong froth, and that it will not maintain its fluffiness for much longer than a few minutes, so be prepared to drink it quickly to reap the benefits!
Dan is a former competition barista and has been honing his knowledge of coffee for over two decades.
He has worked in coffee farms in Peru, as well as roasters in Australia. He now trains new baristas and hosts cupping experiences in Austin.