In 2020, everyone was whipping instant coffee into a fluffy cloud. Here's the story behind the viral trend — and why it's actually delicious.
The trend that defined a lockdown
In early 2020, a simple two-ingredient recipe took over social media: equal parts instant coffee, sugar, and hot water, whipped into a thick, caramel-colored foam and spooned over cold milk.
It was called Dalgona coffee, named after a Korean honeycomb toffee with a similar color and sweet, smoky flavor.
Where it came from
The drink's origins are surprisingly old. A similar whipped coffee called frappé has been popular in Greece since the 1950s, and phitti hui coffee (whipped coffee) has been made in India and Pakistan for generations.
But the specific name 'Dalgona' came from South Korea. Actor Jung Il-woo tried a whipped coffee drink in Macau and said it reminded him of Dalgona, the Korean street candy. He demonstrated it on a TV show, and the name stuck.
Why it went viral
The trend exploded during global lockdowns because it was the perfect quarantine recipe:
- It only needs three ingredients
- It uses instant coffee (which everyone had)
- It's visually striking — that fluffy cloud on top of milk is incredibly photogenic
- It's fun to make — there's something satisfying about watching liquid coffee turn into foam
Is it actually good?
Yes, genuinely. The whipping process incorporates air and dissolves the sugar, creating a texture that's somewhere between meringue and marshmallow fluff. The bitterness of the instant coffee balances the sweetness, and the cold milk underneath makes it a refreshing, creamy drink.
How to make it
- Mix 2 tablespoons instant coffee, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 2 tablespoons hot water.
- Whip with a whisk or hand mixer for 3–5 minutes until thick and fluffy.
- Spoon the foam over a glass of cold milk with ice.
- Stir before drinking to combine.
Even if the trend has passed, it's a fun, delicious drink worth trying at least once. That's the beauty of coffee culture — sometimes the trends are just for fun.