One way to recreate a classic Japanese delicacy while living abroad is to make Coffee Jelly using one’s favorite coffee. This bittersweet dessert is something many Japanese expatriates often miss. This type of dessert is widely enjoyed in Japan and can be found in convenience stores, supermarkets, luxurious cafes, and typical Japanese tea rooms. However, it isn’t as famous in other countries. This scrumptious treat is incredibly easy to make but still luxuriously pleasing. Japanese Coffee Jelly is something that you simply must give a go at least once in your life span if you adore coffee. For this article, we will explain what Japanese Coffee Jelly is and provide instructions on how to make it with only a handful of ingredients, among them the beverage that most people crave – coffee!
What is Japanese Coffee Jelly?
A tasty treat made with coffee as the star ingredient, Japanese coffee jelly is a must-try! The other components used may be different, but typically the mixture consists of water, sugar, and either gelatin or agar-agar as a thickening agent. It is similar to jello in consistency and has a unique, memorable flavor that is both bittersweet and delicious. When you think of jello-like treats, you might mistakenly believe they are not very elegant and only meant for kids. It is completely opposite of what is true when we are discussing Japanese coffee jelly.
Japanese coffee jelly is the perfect treat for adults who enjoy a robust coffee taste. Additionally, it is stunning and sophisticated both in flavor and in looks. Japanese coffee jelly can be presented in see-through bowls or cups with a variety of toppings, including whipped cream, condensed milk, and liquid coffee creamer. An alternative way to serve it is in small, translucent pieces that float in a half-and-half or milk mixture.
We are going to tell you now how to cook up this scrumptious treat in the comfort of your own home. The great thing about preparing Japanese coffee jelly from the comfort of your own house is that you can use the type of coffee beans and brewing process that you prefer for the most enjoyable treat.
How to make Japanese Coffee Jelly at home – an easy recipe
Japanese Coffee Jelly
What you will need:
Four hundred milliliters of coffee made from grounds or the same volume of instant coffee prepared in hot water also works well.
50ml Water at room temperature
Approximately 3-4 tablespoons of sugar, depending on personal preference.
5 grams of plain gelatin (can be substituted with the same quantity of agar-agar powder)
The steps:
Combine the gelatin (or agar-agar) and the liquid and let the powder disintegrate.
Prepare your coffee (either brewed or instant) and place it in a saucepan with the sugar. Stir well to make sure the sugar is dissolved. If the coffee is cold and you’re not certain that all of the sugar has dissolved, heat it up on the stove until the sugar has completely melted into the coffee. That way you’ll get a consistent level of sweetness in every sip.
Combine the gelatin blend with the combination of coffee and sugar. Whisk or stir until everything is mixed well. If you are using agar-agar or Kanten, then you must heat the mixture until just before it begins to reach a boiling point to ensure that the gelling powder dissolves.
Pour the liquid into individual containers, such as small mugs or goblets, and afterwards place it inside the refrigerator until the jelly has solidified and cooled. The mixture can instead be placed into one container and refrigerated. It takes about 6 hours for the jelly to be done. Ensure to cover the cup/glass/container with a lid or plastic wrap to stop odors from the refrigerator from spoiling the coffee jelly.
Once the jelly has solidified, you can remove it from the cups or glasses and add your preferred topping. The jelly is then ready to be served!
You have the option of topping your dessert with a variety of different items such as fresh cream, whipped cream, condensed milk, half-and-half milk with sugar syrup, a mint leaf, a cinnamon stick, and cocoa powder sprinkles to make it extra special.
Chop the jelly into tiny chunks and serve them in a glass or dish with your desired topping, or throw them in your beverage.
I have an advertising poster of the Coffee Jelly Frappuccino I got at Starbucks Japan in 2009. I don’t think they still carry this one anymore.
Insider Tips to make your coffee jelly even better!
The Japanese coffee jelly is relatively simple to make, though you can tinker with the ingredients and factors to create a version that suits your preferences.
What kind of coffee to use?
You are free to use any kind of coffee in order to make your coffee jelly. It is recommended to go with medium to dark roasted coffee beans that provide a balanced and complementary flavor. Chocolate, nutty, and caramel notes are all very welcome. When deciding on a coffee, it is beneficial to consider what flavors would mix well with cream and milk to create a delectable delicacy. It is advised to avoid beans that have a strong acidic taste and a strong fruitiness. In other words, you can always take a chance and try something new.
I personally enjoy drinking European Premium Mild Signature Blend Coffee, which is made of beans from Colombia, Brazil, Honduras, and Indonesia. It effectively emphasizes the smoky flavor of coffee when it is used in Jelly.
How to brew the coffee?
Do not be concerned if you choose to use instant coffee instead of making it through a certain process. You can whip up a mouthwatering coffee jelly using instant coffee, and it could end up even better than if you had used brewed coffee. When making coffee jelly, it is important to use high-grade instant coffee so that the end result has a strong coffee flavor, not just its dark color.
What is it made of?
Japanese coffee jelly is created using coffee, sugar, and agar agar powder as ingredients. This Japanese treat is composed of caffeine-filled cubes soaked in creamy delight. The best thing about it? It’s a vegan-friendly dish! The jelly is completely vegan since its ingredients are limited to just coffee, agar-agar, and unrefined organic sugar.
You can make a perfect vegan treat by pairing it with a dairy-free condensed milk. For this coffee jelly recipe, you can substitute gelatin with a vegan friendly alternative, however it won’t have the same outcome.
The easy response to the question “Does coffee jelly taste good?” is a definite yes. This sweet treat has an unlimited amount of scrumptiousness. The strong astringency of caffeine pairs well with the gentle sugary taste of sugar!
By adding condensed milk, it creates an enchanting beverage that everyone can appreciate.
The history behind this dish
In 1700, the introduction of coffee to Japan sparked the beginnings of this luxurious Asian treat. This cube-shaped dessert was invented in the Taisho Period as a result of the Japanese people’s copying of Western culture.
Nevertheless, the widespread flavor of coffee jelly that we appreciate presently is a genuine Japanese creation. Despite being influenced from the West, the most fundamental element of this dish is kanten, a type of red algae-based jelly that originated in Japan.
Coffee fans everywhere are going wild for this jelly-like delicacy which is now commonly served as a dessert.
Non-Japanese Coffee Jelly Variations
English Jelly
This vegan jelly started off being a hit in Japan, but its origins are from England. At the time when coffeehouses were at the height of popularity in Britain, this type of dessert was invented to take advantage of any extra cups of coffee. This English confectionery treat has a coffee flavor and is noteworthy because it contains gelatin, spices, and a particular kind of fish gelatin called isinglass.
American Jelly
The Boston Tea Party of 1773 is seen as the driving factor behind the boom of coffee culture in America. As cafes became increasingly popular, this type of cafe food was extremely successful.
Similar to the British, the American style of this delicacy consists of collagen-based jello. If you enjoy coffee jellies that are not overly strong, you should try the US version.
Filipino Jelly
The production of this particular delicacy in the Philippines has a distinctive and intricate process. This recipe draws on aspects of both Western and Japanese cuisine, utilizing gelatin, instant coffee, and creamy condensed milk.
How to Enjoy
This Japanese vegan jelly is extremely adaptable since it can be used in many different kinds of recipes. Some of the best ways to enjoy it are as follows:
Use whipped cream (classic)
One of the most preferred methods of presenting this uncomplicated Asian dessert is to put a dollop of creamy Chantilly cream on top. The intricate flavor of coffee jelly harmonizes beautifully with its smooth texture. This way of presenting food is usually found in a Japanese cafe called a Kissaten.
Serve it with ice cream
If you enjoy having something sugary, serve this cube shaped treat along with a bowl of your preferred ice cream sundae. Vanilla, chocolate, mint – the choices are endless! It intensifies the sugary goodness of this indulgence and coats the pieces with a luscious, smooth flavour.
Serve it as a drink
This jelly dessert is ideal to put on top of a variety of beverages because of its miniature cube shape. We recommend adding a few blocks of coffee jelly to an iced latte. Double the caffeine, double the joy!
If you would prefer to relax with a yummy drink instead of one that provides a boost of energy, why not try some iced chocolate! The caffeinated cubes are really successful at evoking its chocolatey flavor.
You could also have a great time by using this vegan dessert as a topping for your bubble tea! Rather than dicing it, slice it into small strips resembling sticks of matches. This is a great alternative or supplement to your normal tapioca pearls!
Be creative!
This Japanese dessert is effortlessly versatile so go wild! Drizzle in some caramel for a richer deeper flavour. Add some hot fudge for a completely gratifying flavor. It is possible to add some decorations to your dessert, such as sprinkles, crumbled Oreos, or pieces of fruit, for a super-enjoyable treat.
Personalize the dish – there are over one hundred ways to enjoy a cup of coffee jelly!
Vegan Coffee Jelly Dessert
This appetizing Asian snack is a great option for vegans everywhere to enjoy. The agar agar powder utilised here is a kind of plant-based gelatine called kanten. This is analogous to the other Japanese treat that is agar-based, known as mizu shingen mochi.
This delicious treat has ingredients that do not contain any animal products, such as regular caffeine and condensed milk that is free of dairy. Instead of a regular creamer, you can opt for a vegan-friendly alternative such as coconut cream, evaporated nut milk, or any other option. For this vegetarian treat, incorporating a little bit of coconut will give it a more layered flavor.
Here’s our timeless and true recipe for caffeinated vegetarian jelly:
To make the coffee jelly
Put water in a pan and heat it until it reaches a boiling point. Then, turn the heat to low. Next, add in the agar powder, coffee, and sugar. Stir until the ingredients have dissolved. Pour the mixture into a box and put it in the fridge until the gelatin sets.
To make the sweetened cream
Mix together a dairy-free condensed milk and coconut milk, plant-based creamer or any other alternatives for vegans. Whisk the mixture until it is even.
To complete the dish
Cut the jello into small squares. Put the item into individual cups and fill with the sugary cream. This tasty dish is now complete!
Is coffee jelly healthy?
Yes, it is! Coffee Jelly has around 163 kcal. This cube-shaped treat has caffeine in it, which has many positive effects on one’s health. Exercising regularly has a beneficial effect on your energy levels, assists with fat loss, and may even guard your liver.
Traditional vs Modern Recipe
In 1963, Mikado Coffee from Tokyo unveiled an energy-boosting invention which became extremely popular. Historically, kanten has been utilized to give the dessert a light and spongy texture.
It should be noted that the infamous Tokyo cafe serves the dish on one dish alone; there are no extra toppings or cream added. This food is typically consumed without any additions and rather than the typically tiny cubes, they are formed into domes.