If you spent isolation locked into social media, chances are you saw whipped coffee. The fluffy, meringue-like iced beverage was all over TikTok and Instagram in 2020, as people found new and inventive ways to attack whatever was left in their cupboard. With sneaky trips to Starbucks essentially out, people were being forced to figure out how to make their own iced frappe and mochaccino creations at home, with varying degrees of success.
The team at Man of Many, for example, operates on a healthy combination of caffeine and confidence, so the old instant coffee doesn’t really cut it. We’ve been raking our brains thinking of different ways to make the Nescafe Blend 43 stand out, and it turns out the answer was in our kitchen cabinet the whole time.
What is Whipped Coffee?
Despite whipped coffee effectively popping up out of nowhere, the drink has actually been around for a long time. The creamy, four-ingredient concoction is native to South Korea, where locals have been brewing it as an alternative for iced coffee and iced tea. In its home country, whipped coffee is actually known as Dalgona coffee, or ppopgi in Korean, which loosely translates to “honeycomb toffee”. Many Koreans remember Dalgona coffee as a treat from their childhood, as it is readily sold by street vendors and small shops. Dalgona sold on South Korean streets resembles large lollipops and is usually assembled in familiar shapes, such as stars or hearts. The aim is to eat the Dalgona around the outline without breaking the shape in the middle.
For Americans, Dalgona coffee has a strange and sordid history. After recognising the popularity of the treat in South Korea during the 1970s and 80s, American fast-food giant McDonald’s gave it a red-hot crack. The brand released its own version of whipped coffee in 1988.
Why is it so popular?
Last year, whipped coffee made the rounds on social media thanks to the coronavirus lockdown. The craze first kicked off in late January 2020, before exploding in popularity towards the end of February. It all started when a Korean YouTuber posted a now-viral, ASMR-style video of how to make the creamy drink. The hypnotic clip has racked up more than 3.5 million views online, cementing whipped coffee in every contemporary cookbook. Since then, anyone and everyone have been hitting up TikTok to share their attempts at the iced beverage. In fact, there are so many videos on the platform, it’s now being referred to as TikTok coffee.
Whipped Coffee Recipe: How to Make TikTok Coffee
Whipped coffee is the opposite of a latte. Rather than spooning frothy milk on top of espresso, you whip the coffee and pour it on top of milk. One of the major reasons why whipped coffee is so famous online is because it is quick and easy to make. Unlike other coffee options, you don’t need a coffee machine, barista qualification or chemistry degree to figure this one out. In fact, you don’t even need real coffee beans.
Preparation Time: 3 mins
Cooking Time: 10 mins
Duration: 13-15 mins
Makes: 1 serving
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons instant coffee,
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar,
- 2 tablespoons boiling water,
- a pinch of cinnamon, and
- 1 cup milk of choice.
Instructions
- Add coffee, sugar and boiling water in a bowl.
- Begin to mix, using either a hand or stand mixer.
- Slowly increase speed, whipping the mixture 2 minutes, while continuously scraping the mixture from the sides.
- Add a sprinkle of cinnamon to taste (It’s important to note that the mixture will be extremely strong).
- Fill a tall glass with milk.
- Add ice cubes and spoon the whipped coffee on top.
Note: Some TikTok coffee videos involve ice and cold beverages, however, you can also use this method to make a warm whipped coffee. Simply remove the ice, and lightly warm the milk prior to adding the coffee.
Image: Simplylowcal
Tips for the Best TikTok Coffee
If you want to make the best TikTok coffee out there, there are a few things you should try. Most importantly, be sure to use granulated sugar, rather than sugar alternatives or natural sweeteners. Granulated sugar will dissolve more consistently, making it easier to mix. At the same time, you could definitely make whipped coffee without sugar, however, the process is very time consuming and involves a lot more whipping. The sugar version will maintain its fluffiness for hours, whereas the non-sugar variation will fall quite quickly.
As mentioned above, this whipped coffee recipe involves instant coffee, meaning you can crack out the Blend 43 and be on your way. If you do want to elevate your mixture, or you consider yourself a bit of a coffee snob, you could easily substitute the instant for your favourite local bean.
While whipped coffee was definitely the drink of the year, it doesn’t have to stop there. You can use the fluffy mixture as a brownie topper, cocktail garnish or as a side for a warm slice of cake or chocolate muffin. Perfect for the sweet tooth amongst us. Getting whipping people!
General FAQ
Instant coffee is not a requirement of whipped coffee, but the most simple methods involve instant coffee, sugar and hot water.
Once you’ve put the drink together, whipped coffee or Dalgona coffee has a sweet flavour and texture that is creamy.
Yes. Not only does cream have a texture that more evenly distributes the milk proteins, but it is often noted as having a better taste.
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