Y’all knew I couldn’t resist trying a coffee based Instagram fad, so here we are! There are approximately ten million of these same posts containing the how-to steps floating around online. I hesitate to call this “Dalgona” coffee, because it contains zero Dalgona (a Korean candy), but it certainly is WHIPPED, either by hand or a mixer. Here is a GREAT article from Popular Mechanic that outlines a lot of the history, science and popularity of the internet sensation. Very heavy on the science. But should you try it for yourself? My verdict – maybe.
THE PROCESS – This is the key, but it’s kind of a pain to do. It looks cool though! Very ‘gram worthy. I tried it twice, once whipping with a fork and once with an electric mixer, just because I’m under Quarantine and have time for stuff like that. The mixer definitely did a better job, but there is zero chance that I will ever incorporate a mixer into my morning coffee routine. You’re essentially whipping up a very sweet coffee concentrate and adding it to cold milk. My photo is the “after,” when the whipped concentrate has settled down into the milk.
THE FLAVOR – It has a distinct dessert vibe. If you’re missing your daily Starbucks sweet coffee fix, then this is for you. I sprinkled a little cinnamon on mine and it was fantastic. It tasted like a fancy concoction made by a true Barista. My new years resolution this year was to cut the junk out of my morning coffee and drink it black (which I have stuck to for 3 months!) so this tasted like a milkshake to me. That is not a bad thing, it just won’t become a habit for me.
THE VERDICT – Should you try it? Meh. If you’re at home a bit bored and you have instant coffee on hand, then go for it! To me, it’s a special sweet treat, maybe a Sunday indulgence when you have time and need an at-home brunch feel. It does taste wonderful, and I think it would make a great creamer option if you like just a touch of color and sweetness in your normal coffee. Make it once a week to have on hand and enjoy a splash each morning!
DALGONA aka WHIPPED COFFEE
Ingredients
- 2 TBSP instant coffee*
- 2 TBSP sugar
- 2 TBSP boiling water**
- cold milk for serving
- ice for serving
Instructions
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Add the instant coffee crystals and the sugar to a bowl.
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Add the boiling water and whisk like your life depends on it using either a fork, a whisk or an electric hand mixer. Whip until the mixture becomes really smooth and then KEEP WHIPPING until the mixture holds shape on it own.
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Top a cup of cold milk (ice optional) with the whipped mixture. Take your Instagram pics now, because the mixture will settle in and blend with the milk. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
*INSTANT coffee, not ground coffee
**Really make sure that your water is very hot, if not boiling. It needs to be able to dissolve the sugar and coffee crystals.
