Hone Your Barista Skills at Home

A viral coffee trend born out of lockdowns, quarantine orders and strict health measures worldwide, Dalgona Coffee has been dominating numerous social media platforms including Instagram, TikTok and more.

Inspired by dalgona, a South Korean toffee, this coffee treat has been satisfying every coffee lover’s caffeine needs at home as it is so easy to make. All you need is instant coffee, sugar and hot water. Frothy cream, rich coffee aroma and a distinct taste - starting your way with a cup of Dalgona Coffee seems to be the way to go as individuals work from home!

Not to mention it is the perfect beverage for a midday energy boost. You could also enjoy it with a banana cake or a raspberry chocolate bread pudding for a tea time snack.

Perhaps one of the most exciting parts about this new coffee trend is that you don’t need any fancy equipment to put it together. In fact, all you really need is an electric mixer and ingredients to whip up your very own creation.

Many individuals who have jumped on this new trend have also been experimenting with different flavours at home. If you try searching for Dalgona Coffee recipes, you can find tons of variations from matcha, chocolate and even strawberry and mango.

If the three-ingredient Dalgona Coffee’s too basic for you, make an even better cup in three ways from the comfort of your own home. Stir in sweet cinnamon and earthy nutmeg for a Spiced Dalgona Coffee - the perfect beverage to perk you up as you work from home on a rainy day. Or, blend with equally strong black tea and caramel-ly brown sugar for a coffee-shop infusion of Yuanyang Brown Sugar Milk Tea Dalgona Coffee to satisfy your sweet tooth. Finally, bring it closer to home in Southeast Asia with a scoop of chocolately milo powder and chocolate in a Milo Mocha Dalgona Coffee for a chocolatey beverage that is sure to lift your energy levels. Which one’s your pick?

Frequently Asked Questions about Dalgona Coffee

Why is Dalgona Coffee so popular?

It seems like most Instagrammers and individuals who tried making it themselves were fascinated by the foamy cream as well as the distinct brown and white layers of coffee and cream respectively.

What type of coffee should I use for Dalgona Coffee?

Instant coffee works well for the traditional Dalgona Coffee. If you are not a coffee drinker, you could also replace it with other caffeinated alternatives like matcha or tea. Just bear in mind that the colours are going to be different.

You could also use decaffeinated instant coffee if you want to enjoy the drink in the evenings.

How long can I store the foam?

While freshly-made Dalgona Coffee tastes a lot better than leftover coffee, the foam can last for up to 3 days.

How do I make Dalgona Coffee less bitter?

You could add more teaspoons of sugar for a sweeter taste or neutralize the bitterness by adding more milk. Alternatively, you could try combining the coffee with chocolate for a mocha-like taste. 

What tea should I use for Yuanyang Brown Sugar Milk Tea Dalgona Coffee?

Traditionally, Yuanyang is made with Ceylon tea. Feel free to experiment with other types of black tea.

However, you might want to avoid green, white and other ‘light’ teas as they don’t pair well with coffee.

Is it healthy to drink it everyday?

Most people can’t go without their morning coffee every morning. But if you find that the coffee is making you more nervous, causing stomach upset or just making you uncomfortable, you should drink it in moderation.

There are some ways you could make it healthier. These include but are not limited to:

• Using decaffeinated or organic instant coffee
• Cutting down on sugar
• Using low-fat or skim milk

What is the difference between instant coffee and whole bean coffee?

As the name suggests, whole beans need to be grounded before being mixed with water while you can simply combine instant coffee with water.

On the other hand, whole beans are noted to have more potassium than the former. In terms of taste, whole beans also tend to have a more earthy taste than instant coffee as they contain a higher percentage of caffeine.

Tips for the Most Thirst-Quenching Dalgona Coffee

1. Don’t be afraid to whip the mixture a little longer: one of the reasons why some individuals can’t nail those perfect frothy brown and white layers is because they don’t blend the mixtures enough. Use an electric mixture to speed up the process
2. Use artificial sweeteners: if you are trying to cut down on your sugar intake, you could use alternative sweeteners like Stevia or honey
3. Mix the instant coffee with a little cold water before adding hot water: this helps to reduce the acidity and bitterness