Korean Dalgona Coffee (Whipped Instant Coffee Foam Milk)
Quick answer
Dalgona coffee is made by whipping equal parts instant coffee, sugar, and hot water with a hand mixer for three to five minutes until stiff, caramel-colored peaks form, t...
What makes this special
- An equal ratio of coffee, sugar, and water whipped into a stable foam defines Dalgona Coffee.
- Equal-ratio coffee, sugar, and water whipped 3-5 minutes forms a stable dense foam
- Bitter cream layer above cold plain milk lets the drinker blend their own intensity
Key ingredients
Core cooking flow
- 1 Add 4 tablespoons instant coffee and 4 tablespoons sugar to a clean mixing bowl.
- 2 Run the hand mixer on low speed for the first 20 seconds to prevent splashing.
- 3 Watch for the mixture to change from dark brown to a lighter caramel color with a glossy surface.
Dalgona coffee is made by whipping equal parts instant coffee, sugar, and hot water with a hand mixer for three to five minutes until stiff, caramel-colored peaks form, then spooning the foam over iced milk. The whipped layer carries a concentrated, bittersweet coffee flavor that gradually blends into the cold, neutral milk below as you stir. A light dusting of cocoa powder on top introduces a faint chocolate note, and increasing the sugar slightly helps the whipped cream hold its stiff structure longer.
Instructions
Read the steps as a cooking flow: prep, heat, seasoning, doneness control, and finish.
- 1Season
Add 4 tablespoons instant coffee and 4 tablespoons sugar to a clean mixing bowl.
Pour in 4 tablespoons very hot water, then stir until the coffee granules disappear and the sugar is fully moistened.
- 2Prep
Run the hand mixer on low speed for the first 20 seconds to prevent splashing.
Increase to high speed and keep whipping for 3 to 5 minutes without long pauses so the foam builds volume evenly.
- 3Prep
Watch for the mixture to change from dark brown to a lighter caramel color with a glossy surface.
Stop when lifted beaters leave firm peaks that hold their shape for several seconds.
- 4Season
If the cream looks loose, do not add more water.
Whip for 1 more minute first, then add only a small amount of extra sugar if the foam still lacks thickness or structure.
- 5Step
Divide the ice between two glasses, using about 1 cup in each.
Pour 200 milliliters cold milk into each glass, filling only about 70 percent so there is room for the whipped coffee.
- 6Step
Spoon the whipped coffee gently over the milk and level the surface without pressing it down.
Dust with cocoa powder, then stir the foam into the milk just before drinking for a more even flavor.
After the steps
Pick a recipe that fits this dish.
Continue with shared ingredients, meal pairings, or a similar method.
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