When the world went into a lockdown due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus in 2020, people confined in their homes took to cooking like never before. From professionals to amateurs, gender no bar, nobody shied anymore from entering the kitchen as food was making things lighter and better in those tough moments. The same time when the Korean Dalgona Coffee too went viral. This Dalgona Coffee recipe or in simple language, our good old Whipped Coffee is timeless! You really don’t need a reason to whip up this coffee at home and enjoy it any day of the year.
Dear Dalgona
You are amazing! However, I can’t really help but to call it probably a Korean version of our dear Whipped Coffee, also fondly called ‘phenti hui coffee,’ which has travelled through ages and still is in vogue!
I mean for coffee fanatics, there’s nothing more satisfactory than the coffee decoction whipping up just perfectly for that serene frothy cup of hot brew.
But since the trend of the Dalgona Coffee has spread like wildfire, it is important to talk about that as well. We should respect cuisines and their creations, from every and all cultures around the world.
Table of Contents
The term ‘dalgona’ is believed to have originated from a certain retro beverage on the streets of Korea, with a taste and appearance similar to a honeycomb toffee. An actual dalgona is also locally known as ‘ppopgi’ and is made with molten sugar and baking soda.
Since this coffee resembles this Korean sugar candy, it was named so by a popular TV personality in Macau, South Korea. However, the coffee does not contain the original dalgona sugar candy. The flavors and looks match.
Basic ingredients from the coffee making rule book – instant coffee, sugar, hot water – beaten together till the consistency is stiff peakish, creamy, fluffy. This foam is topped onto a generous amount of hot or cold milk. Thus, resulting in the Dalgona Coffee recipe.
The coffee cream in the Dalgona Coffee is a bomb of flavors that hero coffee, and only coffee. However, all of this fanciness added together, in simple terms eventually mean a Whipped Coffee or a Frappe. Just served upside down!
Ingredients’ Proportion
This Dalgona Coffee recipe of mine has ingredient proportions that may not match with the original recipe, which has equal measures of coffee, sugar and hot water. This is because I found these measures quite strong and bitter for my palate.
So, I just reworked on the quantities of these 3 ingredients and created this recipe which was apt to me and my family too. Toning down the coffee quantity and increasing the sugar amount worked best for us.
Following is a thumb rule (in tablespoon) for a Whipped Coffee that is not too bitter, strong and is less acidic too. It is quite perfect.
1:2:3 ~ instant coffee: hot water: sugar
But if you are someone who likes their coffee the other way round, go with an equal measure thing or adjust accordingly.
Master The Art
This is a simple and effective guideline that you can follow without an iota of doubt, for that lovely cup of Whipped Coffee or Dalgona Coffee. It will help you to be a pro at it. Also, for your everyday café style cuppa, this Hot Coffee recipe is for keeps.
- Coffee: Use only instant coffee and not any other type.
- Foam: I’m sure not many people would know this that it is actually the sugar that helps in getting the desired creamy, foamy consistency in the coffee. So, do not reduce its quantity in the recipe. You can add more, but not less for sure.
- Water: You have to only use very hot water with the coffee. If it is not, then again, the creaminess will be compromised. Ensure that you are adding the quantity of water as mentioned in the recipe, and not more.
- Sugar: Any type of granulated sugar and only that works best in this Dalgona Coffee recipe. You cannot use powdered sugar or other sweeteners like honey, date syrup, maple syrup or coconut sugar.
- Whipping: While beating or whipping the coffee, remember to first beat clockwise and then in vertical zig-zag motions. Keep alternating between these two.
- Equipment: All you need to make this Whipped Coffee is a bowl and a wired whisk. Yes, the beating does take some time and your hands might tire after a while. Just rest and then get back. Or else use a hand mixer, mixer grinder or a small blender.
- Hot or cold: In this recipe, I have mentioned a cold version. For hot coffee, simply replace chilled milk with hot milk.
- Vegan options: I have tried a Dalgona Coffee with almond milk too. That too turned out good. So, you can use it. Other vegan options include cashew milk, soy milk (GMO free) and oats milk.
How to make Dalgona Coffee
Whip Coffee Mixture With Wired Whisk
1. In a small to medium size mixing bowl, take 1 tablespoon instant coffee and 3 tablespoons sugar.
2. Pour 2 tablespoons of boiling water in the bowl.
3. Mix and then begin to beat the coffee.
4. Use two ways of beating the coffee. First beat clockwise and then use vertical zig-zag motions. Alternate between the two. If the bowl is small, then slightly tilt the bowl and beat.
5. The coffee consistency after a total of 5 minutes.
6. After continuing to beat for further 3 minutes, this is the coffee consistency.
7. The final consistency after beating further for 5 minutes, which is like whipped cream. You will see that the color has also lightened.
To get this foamy whipped consistency, beat for a total of 10 to 12 minutes.
Whip Coffee Mixture In A Blender
8. A quicker option, add the coffee, hot water and sugar in a small blender or mixer-grinder jar. Blend till you get the desired consistency.
Make Dalgona Coffee
9. Take 2 to 3 ice cubes (optional) in two mugs or glasses. Divide 1.5 cups milk between both the glasses.
Ice cubes can be skipped if using chilled or cold milk.
10. Spoon the creamy whipped coffee on top.
11. Sprinkle some cocoa powder on top and serve. Stir and then sip!
More Beverages To Try!
Beverages
Milkshake Recipes
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Dalgona Coffee Recipe | Korean Whipped Coffee
Ingredients
For whipping
- 1 tablespoon instant coffee
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons hot boiling water
Other Ingredients
- 1.5 cups milk (at room temperature or chilled)
- ice cubes – as required, optional
For topping
- ¼ teaspoon cocoa powder – optional
Instructions
Whipping Coffee Mixture
- Take coffee, sugar and hot boiling water in a mixing bowl.
- Using a small whisk begin to whip and beat till the mixture is creamy and thick.
- Use two ways of beating the coffee. First beat clockwise and then use vertical zig-zag motions. Alternate between the two. If the bowl is small, then slightly tilt the bowl and beat.
- To whip, can also use a small blender or mixer-grinder or a hand-held mixer (which is used for whipping cream or making cake batter).
Making Dalgona Coffee
- Add 2 to 3 ice cubes in a mug or glass.
- Divide 1.5 cups of milk between both the glasses.
- Now divide the whipped coffee equally in the two glasses.
- Sprinkle some cocoa powder on the coffee (optional). Serve.
Notes
- Use instant coffee only.
- To make hot whipped coffee, swap the cold milk with hot milk.
- You can add more sugar if you prefer.
Nutrition Info (Approximate Values)
This Dalgona Coffee recipe post from the archives was first published on May 2020. It has been updated and republished on November 2022.
Any suggestions for people who don’t drink coffee? Have you tried making it with cocoa powder? I’ve been wanting to try it, but my cocoa attempt failed miserably.
I have not tried making dalgona coffee with cocoa powder. I have always made it with instant coffee. I don’t think with hot water the cocoa powder will become foamy or creamy. You can check on google if anyone has made the coffee with cocoa powder and you will get some ideas.
Loved the recipe!
Thanks Sreeja.