Dalgona coffee is one of the hottest coffee crazes right now and even non-coffee drinkers are giving it a go.
Currently, there are almost 500k Instagram hashtags for #dalgonacoffee. Can you believe that! Although dalgona coffee isn’t actually new, it hit social media big time in 2020 during the COVID lockdown.
DALGONA WAS FIRST A CANDY:
Dalgona coffee was likely started in South Korea and was named dalgona because of how much it tastes like a candy called dalgona. The candy is made with melted sugar, baking soda, and a little oil. The candy normally looks like a flat disc shape on a stick, like a lollipop, and is a light tan color. Dalgona candy is still sold on the street in South Korea today.
Traditionally, the lollipop-like sweets come with shapes imprinted on them like a heart and if you succeed in eating around the shape without breaking it, you can get another one free. Sounds like a worthy challenge to me! I found a cool YouTube video showing how they make it if you’re interested.
I think I am going to put it to the test at home. There is something so cool about bringing street food from all over the world into your home. What do you think? Would you be interested in seeing how to make dalgona candy at home?
The Los Angeles Times also wrote a whole article on the dalgona coffee craze and you can read more up on it if you like here. (This is actually where I started my research so you will see some overlapping content.)
DALGONA COFFEE VS WHIPPED COFFEE:
The love for dalgona coffee expands beyond South Korea and the States but in most other places it might be better known as whipped coffee, such as in India.
Speaking of India, my husband and I can’t wait to go back! It is such an amazing place and we want to explore more of the country. I have been a total of 3 times (total of 8+ months) and my husband has been once.
OUR COFFEE EXPERIENCE IN INDIA:
The last time we were in India (about two years ago) we didn’t stay in a fancy hotel and we bought our groceries. There was one big problem for us coffee drinkers… you can hardly find coffee beans anywhere for sale! The last time I went to India I was there for two months before my husband got there and when my husband came I made sure he brought coffee beans and our pour-over.
The interesting thing is the most popular coffee they have in India is instant coffee! Before my husband got there, I bought the instant coffee and tried it both black, like I have it at home most days, and with milk and sugar. My thoughts? It was disgusting! I struggled. But now knowing about dalgona coffee, the next time we go we will just bring our stick frother.
I DID NOT WANT TO TRY DALGONA COFFEE – YUCK:
Because of my instant coffee experience in India, when I first saw dalgona coffee starting to blow up on social media I was hesitant to try it. I thought – this is going to taste gross, and bitter coffee attempting to be covered up with sugar and milk would not work. I mean, maybe I am a bit more of a coffee connoisseur that I thought but not even bad coffee can be disguised with lots of sugar and milk- and if you add too much of either its also gross no matter how good the coffee (IMHO!).
I FINALLY TRIED IT – WHAT I THOUGHT:
Leave it to the concept of social media but I saw it enough times on Pinterest that I had to try it out.
AND…. I AM OBSESSED!
It is so delicious and the perfect summer afternoon drink. We still drink our hot black cup of joe in the mornings but we have been getting into a regular habit to make one around two or three in the afternoon.
THE INGREDIENTS MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
In my experimentation and playing around, I’ve tried a couple of brands of instant coffee and I am enjoying Taster’s Choice right now. I love that it comes in individual packets which makes for one less thing to measure and makes it easy to throw in our travel bags since we travel so much.
THE BEST DALGONA COFFEE RECIPE I’VE EVER HAD!
I’ve tried a couple of variations and spin offs with different flavors but this cinnamon dalgona coffee has been my ultimate favorite recipe I have whipped up (no pun intended, haha) and my husband’s too. If you have never tried Saigon cinnamon before, I truly recommend it! It is so much richer than regular cinnamon and has a sweeter and more earthy smell. Since Saigon cinnamon is from Asia, it just kind of makes sense it all goes together in my mind.
The recipe is really easy and takes no time to whip up and it is perfect for the amateur barista. It also cost like 1/8 of the cost of a coffee out but you still feel like you’re spoiling yourself rotten!
Let me know if you try this decadent, whipped, frothy, fluffy, and sweet coffee and if you do make sure to tag me @linjoylife so I can check it out!
Dalgona Coffee Recipe
(Makes 2 Lattes)
Time to make: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp Raw sugar (this is a great brand) About 1 cups whole (whole milk makes it extra creamy) 1/8 tsp Saigon cinnamon 2 packs of instant coffee (I love Tasters Choice individual packets) 3 Tbsp boiling water Crushed Ice (or cubed)
Tools:
3 Small glass mason jar (or cute small glass cups)
Frothing handheld mixer (I love this one)
Spoon
Measuring tools
Directions:
In a small mason jar add 2 packs of instant coffee, Saigon cinnamon, 2 T of raw sugar, and 3 T of hot water.
Using a spoon, manually mix the mixture to dissolve some of the coffee and sugar.
Turn the frother on and continue to mix until the mixture starts to get frothy. This process will take a minute or so. Tilting the jar can aid in the frothing. The color should go from dark brown to a creamy and frothy light tan color.
Take two mason jars and fill them 1/2 of the way with crushed ice.
Fill the jars with milk until the jar is 2/3 full of liquid (about a 1/2 cup each).
Pour or scoop with a spoon the frothy sweet coffee mixture over the milk in equal amounts.
And now you’re done! Take your dang good dalgona coffee out onto the porch and enjoy! Let me know what you think and remember you can always pin any of my pictures for future reference.
If you are looking for some more Korean inspired recipes, check out my Umami Kimchi recipe for dinner! Or if you want a yummy treat to accompany your coffee snag my gooey brownie recipe.
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