The process
Bending over a hot stove for the traditional method of dalgona coffee making is becoming a thing of the past as more people are becoming aware of the latest trend. Dalgona coffee, named after a Korean sugar-coated confectionary, was invented by a South Korea-based YouTuber in 2019. The simple technique of mixing sugar, instant coffee, and hot water has gained immense popularity. With some slight modifications, variations of dalgona coffee have been made, such as mocha or other flavored variations. As with any new food trend, there has been debate on how to make the perfect cup of dalgona coffee. So, do you stir dalgona coffee prior to drinking it?
The Science
Neatly pouring a spoonful of the spongy mixture of honey, instant coffee, and warm water into your cup is becoming a popular technique. But should it be stirred before or after? The answer is that while it might seem like a great idea to stir it beforehand, you better not! A research performed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison showed that stirring the mixture destroys its spongy texture and interferes with the flavoring of the drink. To get the full flavor and unique texture of the drink, make sure you don’t stir it beforehand.
The Professional Perspective
According to experienced barista, Liza Nguyen, the way you make a dalgona coffee is important. She states that stirring dalgona coffee before sipping it is unnecessary and will actually ruin the drink. Based on her knowledge and experience, she suggests that the stirring process should be saved for last. When the drink is already in the cup, it can be stirred for a few seconds for a smooth, frothy consistency.
From the Kitchen
When making dalgona coffee at home, there are a few steps you should be aware of to ensure the perfect cup. For starters, make sure you use the correct amounts of sugar, instant coffee, and hot water. Using ½ teaspoon of each ingredient will give the right flavor to your drink. Secondly, don’t stir the mixture too much as it will take away its frothy, creamy consistency. Finally, when the foamy mixture is poured on top of the iced milk, you can slowly stir it. This will perfectly mix both layers in a subtle manner.
Experiment
Though stirring prior to consumption is not a good idea, an experiment by home cooks has shown a different result. According to their findings, it seemed like stirring the mixture beforehand did not reduce the foaminess, but actually increased it. This could be useful for making a super spongy dalgona coffee for an extra special taste. However, it is important to note that not all instant coffees will respond the same way and stirring too much can ruin the texture, so be sure to test a few times before serving.
Conclusion
The rising popularity of dalgona coffee has caused foodies, scientists and baristas to have debates about different techniques. In conclusion, it’s best to leave the stirring until the end of the process. Making the mixture without stirring too much will let you better enjoy its creamy, frothy texture. As expected, an experiment has proven that stirring the mixture beforehand can be rewarding, but only if done properly.
Variations
Dalgona coffee is usually made with equal parts of instant coffee, sugar and warm water for a thick and smooth texture. However, the ratios can be adjusted to make unique variations of this popular drink. People generally use a ratio of three parts warm water to one part instant coffee and one part sugar. Using this ratio helps create a more concentrated drink that has a taste that is slightly different from regular dalgona coffee. Also, other flavoring can be added to the mix. For instance, vanilla extract could be used for a decadent flavor.
Health Benefits
The unique flavor of dalgona coffee is not only tasty, but good for your health as well. As long as dalgona is made with healthier ingredients, such as oat milk or almond milk instead of regular dairy, it can provide a range of health benefits. The drink has a low calorie count, high fiber intake, and can be made with much less sugar than other sweet coffee drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. Additionally, high quality instant coffee contains antioxidants that have been linked to improved cognitive function, better exercise performance and disease prevention.
Ease of Making
Dalgona coffee is incredibly easy to make. All you need is a couple of common ingredients, like instant coffee, sugar, and hot water. There’s no need to use an expensive espresso machine or any other complicated machinery. Just whip the ingredients together and viola, you’re ready to enjoy a delicious cup of dalgona coffee. With no added artificial ingredients and a simple preparation process, it’s no wonder that this unique coffee has taken the world by storm.
Social Aspect
Social media has been one of the main contributing factors to the spread of dalgona coffee across the world. With everyone looking to try the latest food trends, this sweet and fluffy drink was the perfect recipe to take the world by storm. People of all ages have jumped on the bandwagon and have been posting their creative and colorful variations all over their social media accounts. Consequently, dalgona coffee has more quickly gained popularity and become the “it” drink of the summer.
Beautifying Effects
Not only is dalgona coffee delicious, but it can actually do wonders for your skin, hair and nails. Just like coffee is beneficial to the body when consumed, it can also be used externally to get glowing skin. Coffee grounds are rich in antioxidants, which can protect your skin from the damaging effects of free radicals. Additionally, its other nutrients like Vitamin E can help to reduce signs of aging and make the skin look more youthful and hydrated.
Calorie Friendly
Dalgona coffee is a great alternative to sugary drinks such as milkshakes and frappuccinos that can often have more than 400 calories. With dalgona coffee, you can still enjoy the sweet taste you crave, without having to worry about consuming too many calories. When prepared with 5 spoonfuls of sugar, two teaspoons of instant coffee, and one cup of water, the drink has roughly only 65-75 calories. A great way to enjoy guilt-free indulgence anytime.
