Eggs are one of the most versatile ingredients you could possibly work with. Just on their own, eggs can be cooked in so many ways. Then you start to talk about egg yolks for custard or egg whites for meringue and the list goes on and on.
They can be added to so many recipes from sweet to savory, they act as a binding ingredient, and help to bring so many recipes together. They’re kind of the unsung hero of the kitchen if you think about it!
So get ready for a bit of an adventure because today I’m going to walk you through how to add eggs to your coffee. That’s right, coffee! When prepared correctly, it’s totally safe and absolutely delicious. So bear with me, open your mind a bit, and let’s discuss the history of egg coffee and the many ways to enjoy it.
While there are several ways to prepare egg coffee, we’re going to take a look at three distinct recipes from countries across the globe: Sweden, Vietnam, and Italy.
Swedish egg coffee
This one dates all the way back to the 1800s and has been a staple in Scandinavian-American communities for generations. Swedish egg coffee is unique, since you add the egg to the grounds, rather than the brewed coffee itself. Why in the world would you add an egg to coffee grounds? For good reason, as it turns out!
Mixing an egg in with your coffee grounds before brewing it makes for an extremely pleasant and easy to drink cup of joe. This is because the egg causes the grounds to separate from the water and the egg white specifically extracts the bitter flavor from the grounds, which helps bring out the caffeine. The end result is a really smooth cup of coffee that may have you wondering why you didn’t try it sooner.
Keep in mind that Swedish egg coffee can’t be brewed in a traditional coffee pot and instead must be made with either a saucepan or enamel coffee pot. Either way, the process is simple and makes coffee for a crowd. Follow this recipe to see just how easy it is.
Vietnamese egg coffee
This version of egg coffee is quite different from Swedish egg coffee in that it’s typically consumed as a dessert and incorporates the egg into the brewed coffee, rather than just the grounds. The invention of Vietnamese egg coffee is said to have originated at a cafe in Hanoi in the 1940s as a way to overcome the milk shortage due to the French War.
Vietnamese egg coffee is made with sweetened condensed milk, egg yolk, and a strong dark roast coffee variety. The dark coffee is important to make sure that the beverage isn’t too sweet due to the condensed milk. All it takes is whisking the sweetened condensed milk and egg yolk together until foamy and pouring the mixture on top of your freshly brewed coffee. The mixture will float to the top and the presentation is just beautiful and definitely Instagram-worthy!
You’ll notice that there’s no heating required of the yolk, so that means this recipe uses raw egg. This may make some folks uneasy, but by using pasteurized eggs, you can rest easy when making this recipe.
Espresso Zabaglione
This tasty beverage is the Italian version of egg coffee and in its simplest form, all you need are egg yolks, sugar and coffee. Zabaglione is a custard made with egg yolks and sugar typically consumed after a meal. By adding the espresso, you get Espresso Zabaglione!
All you need is to simmer, whisk, and pour to enjoy this caffeinated treat. There are plenty of varieties of zabaglione, with or without espresso, to try out as well. Some even include liquor or are served frozen, like this one. You may find yourself going down a rabbit hole once you try it since there are so many variations for every preference!
Plain egg coffee
Maybe you’re wondering if you can just skip all the fanfare and mix an egg right into your coffee. Afterall, eggs are a good source of protein, as well as some vitamins and minerals, and a good option for those on low-carb or grain-free diets.
You can certainly add a whole egg, egg yolk or egg white to a cup of coffee if you’re looking to supercharge your morning routine. When prepared correctly, it can thicken the texture and help create a creamier beverage. Just be sure not to mix the egg directly into a steaming hot cup of coffee, as it will begin to cook, which sounds really unpleasant!
Some athletes swear by adding an egg to their coffee, but the jury is out on how effective it is. While caffeine and protein before a workout can seem like a recipe for success, some nutritionists feel that the caffeine is better consumed before a workout while the protein is best for a meal following the workout. But if it sounds like something you’d like to try, it’s worth a shot! If you don’t end up liking it, you can enjoy your coffee and eggs separately from here on out.
While adding eggs and coffee may sound like a strange combination, it’s quite common in certain parts of the world. When prepared correctly and with the proper tools, if needed, eggs can create a texture like you’ve never experienced in coffee before. Plus, with the addition of ingredients like sweetened condensed milk or sugar, eggs can turn your coffee into a real dessert-like treat.
You’ve likely already got eggs sitting in your fridge right now. They aren’t hard to come by and don’t cost very much, so why not give one of these recipes a try? You could be impressing family and friends with your “fancy” coffee concoctions at holidays, special dinners or just because! And you never know, you may just find your next favorite method of preparing coffee in the process!
