Dalgona coffee is a creamy coffee drink topped with a thick layer of whipped cream foam. It became popular in the world around 2020, when everyone was locked inside their homes and didn’t know what to do. Dalgona coffee caught fire that year and continues to do so. During lockdown people sharing videos of the drink on social media and trying to recipe in their own way. How interesting this trend was is that it brought whole world together agree on one thing- Yes, this coffee is really delicious.

The best part is that you don’t need a coffee machine or expensive ingredients to make it. With instant coffee, sugar, hot water and milk, you can prepare this cafe- style drink at home. A fascinating thing about this coffee is that, whether you like your coffee warm or cold, this gives you both. You don’t need to look for different recipes because your tongue temperature is different.

Let’s begin with today’s topic:

What is Dalgona coffee?

Dalgona coffee, as the name suggests, is a coffee drink made by whipping coffee, sugar and hot water until the mixture becomes thick, foamy and light. The whipped mixture is then spooned over the hot or cold milk, whatever you like. The drink actually got its name from dalgona, a Korean honeycomb toffee. It’s because the golden-brown colour and appearance of the whipped coffee reminded people of the candy, although the two are made differently.

The recipe gained international popularity during the COVID-19 lockdown, when home cooking and social challenges kept people out of boredom. Its simple ingredients and attractive appearance helped it become a favourite coffee among coffee lovers.

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Ingredients of Dalgona coffee:

• 2 tablespoons instant coffee: You can choose any instant coffee or any powder.
• 2 tablespoons sugar: White granulated sugar works like heaven.
• 2 tablespoons hot water: Helps dissolve the coffee mixture before whipping.
• 1 cup milk: Use whatever milk you prefer; it could be toned milk, heavy cream milk, almond milk, anything of your choice.
• Ice cubes: Optional. If you are making hot coffee, you can skip this and only use hot milk.

A quick tip: Use instant coffee rather than ground coffee beans. Ground coffee does not dissolve in the water in the same way and will not produce the same whipped texture.

How to make Dalgona coffee at home?

Step1: Combine the coffee, sugar and water

Take a clean mixing bowl and add 2 tablespoons each of instant coffee, sugar and hot water. Or measure on your own until your ancestor says, ” That’s enough, child. After that, stir briefly until the coffee and sugar begin to dissolve. Using a bowl with a bigger mouth would be useful for whisking later.

The bowl is optional; you can also use a plastic bottle, which will give you the same result. Use a bowl if you are sophisticated and have a lot of time on your hands.

Step 2: Whip the mixture until fluffy

You need to whisk the mixture until it gets fluffy as a cloud, thick, creamy and lighter in colour. If you are not using a bowl or whisk, you can shake your bottle until you see the thick clouds of coffee inside. This is much faster and easier than using a whisk. An efficient way to save your time.

You will know your mixture is ready when it holds soft peaks and looks similar to a thick coffee-coloured cream. Make sure the mixture doesn’t run like water; if it does, you need to whisk or shake a little bit more until the mixture is fully creamy.

Step 3: Prepare your milk

For iced Dalgona coffee, fill a glass with ice cubes, and pour in cold milk. You can also use any drizzle or syrup you want in the coffee. But leave enough space to top the milk with the coffee cloud.

For the hot version, gently warm the milk and pour it into any of your favourite mugs. There is no need to boil it again and again. You can choose any milk of your preference; it won’t disrupt the taste and will give you satisfaction.

Step 4: Add the whipped coffee

In the end, it will be time to put the whipped creamy cloud of coffee over the milk. Spread it gently across the surface to create a thick, beautiful layer. You can serve the layered coffee or stir it well before taking a sip.

And your homemade Dalgona coffee is ready to enjoy.

Different ways to enjoy Dalgona coffee

After mastering the basic recipe, you can make the coffee to suit your taste. Some of the suggestions are:

Iced Dalgona coffee

This is the most basic choice on a warm day. One chilled iced coffee with a hint of sweetness is what you will need when you come home from a long day. Easy to make and instantly refreshing. To make iced Dalgona, add cold milk and ice cubes in a glass, then top it with the whipped coffee mixture. Stir before drinking and enjoy the coffee.

Hot Dalgona coffee

Perfect for freezing temperatures where you are cuddled in a warm blanket and want something warm to drink. Warm your milk and pour it into a mug. Add the whipped coffee on top and drink leisurely. The contrast between warm milk and the creamy topping makes it a comforting option during cold days.

Chocolate Dalgona coffee

For the chocolate flavour, prepare the standard coffee mixture. Add the small amount of unsweetened or sweetned will work too if you have sweet tooth, over the finished drink. Or stir a little cocoa into milk before adding the coffee foam. A pro tip: adding too much cocoa directly into the coffee mixture can affect the texture, so start with a small amount.

Common Dalgona mistakes to avoid

• Check that you are using instant coffee, the correct quantities and a good shaker or whisk. Ground coffee and brewed coffee will not produce the same results.
• Make sure to whip your mixture enough to create that foamy cloud of coffee. If it isn’t whipped correctly, it will be runny and won’t give the same taste.
• It is best to make the foam shortly before serving because its texture can change as it sits. If you prepare it early, check its consistency before adding it to milk.

Conclusion

Dalgona coffee was a trend in 2020, and it’s still so popular. You can never go wrong with this. If you have instant coffee, sugar, water and milk, you are good to go. The coffee isn’t just tasty but refreshing, gives you time to pace yourself against the time. The good news is, to make this coffee you don’t even need a professional, expensive coffee machine. The key is to whisk the mixture until it becomes light and fluffy, then adjust the milk and sweetness to your taste.

Famous Dalgona restaurants in Himachal Pradesh:

1. Illiterati: #1 Best restaurant in Himachal Pradesh for enjoying the view with delicious coffee.
2. Freedom Cafe, Kullu: #1 for the view. You can enjoy the tremendous view of the place with a cup of coffee, and this will make you feel like you are in heaven.
3. Cafe 1947: #1 best destination for coffee and food in Manali with a tremendous view of the valley.

These are some of the very famous restaurants of Himachal Pradesh to enjoy meals during your trips with a cup of coffee and a beautiful view. For more details, you can refer to our article on restaurants, where I have explained each one.

FAQs:

Q1: Which coffee is best for Dalgona coffee?

Instant coffee is the best starting point because it dissolves easily and whips into thick foam when combined with sugar and hot water.

Q2: Can I make Dalgona coffee without sugar?

You can definitely experiment with sugar-free alternatives, but the taste won’t be the same. Since sugar helps the whipped mixture maintain its structure.

Q3: Should Dalgona coffee be stirred before drinking?

That depends on your preference. If you like layered coffee, then there is no need to stir, but on the other hand, if you like mixed coffee, you might want to give it a stir.

Q4: Can I use cold water instead of hot water?

Hot water helps dissolve the instant coffee and sugar before whisking. For a more reliable result, it is recommended to use hot water instead of cold.

Q5: Can I make Dalgona without milk?

Yes. You can serve the coffee cloud on your preferred beverage or any other milk alternative. It’s totally up to your taste buds.