Arts
Let’s give the trending Dalgona Coffee a try
As most of the world has gone into a lockdown and more and more people are turning to social media for entertainment, socialising and even work, we are all spending a lot more time on the internet. Emerging from the Korean side of the internet, the Dalgona Coffee Challenge made its way to the TikTok social platform. It has been spreading like wildfire on other social media platforms such as Instagram and YouTube too.
During the later part of March, it has surfaced among Sri Lankans too who are posting pictures of the coffee on their social media. The Sunday Times Magazine caught up with Sonia Richard, who takes us step by step, through the process of making the drink that has gone viral.
A Sri Lankan living abroad, Sonia loves sharing her passion for cooking and photography on her Instagram @sonia.richardj. Just 21, she has an MBA in International Business from the University of Greenwich.
Dalgona Coffee gets its name from the traditional Korean sponge candy which it resembles. The drink entered the Korean mainstream when it appeared on a Korean TV show called Pyunstorang in January. One of the actors of the show had travelled to Macau and tried the drink and gave it the nickname Dalgona. Indians meanwhile say it is very much like their phenti hui coffee.
“Although I’m a proud tea addict, I couldn’t help but wonder what all the fuss about Dalgona coffee was. It’s been buzzing on social media like it’s the new millennial food trend!” Sonia says who decided to give the trendy drink a go. And this Easter Sunday if you feel like experimenting, why not try it out.
In addition to the usual way of making it, you can also heat the milk and add cream to create a hot version of the drink. You can also make a mocha by adding chocolate to the milk as it heats up or a teaspoon of vanilla extract to make a vanilla latte. You can also use normal water instead of hot water. The main factor is that you need to add equal parts water, instant coffee and sugar.
So let’s give it a try shall we?
1. Ingredients: 3 tablespoons instant coffee, 3 tablespoons sugar, 3 tablespoons hot water, milk and ice cubes
2. Mix the instant coffee, sugar and hot water together.
3. Whip the three ingredients until soft peaks are formed. You can use a fork, whisk or if you want the easy way, an electric whisk.You’ll notice it’s ready when it’s fluffy and has formed peaks.
4. Take a glass or cup, fill it 3/4ths with milk and ice cubes. Scoop up the whipped coffee to put on top and smoothen it with a spoon. You can gently push down the froth in so it mixes with the milk.
5. This step is optional – garnish the coffee with a gentle sprinkle of coffee powder, cocoa powder or even cookie crumbles and the drink is ready to serve!
Pix by Sonia Richard