If you're a coffee fanatic you've probably already tried the full run of coffee drinks that are commonly served in cafes. Today we have three unique drinks that you probably haven't tried, and can make right at home!
Swedish Egg Coffee
The first drink we're highlighting is Swedish Egg Coffee. This drink originated in the American Midwest and was created by Scandinavian immigrants to compensate for the limited availability of coffee filters in the 19th century.
For our take on this recipe you'll want to coarse grind 50 grams of coffee, boil three cups of water, and set two cups of cold water and an egg aside.
While the 3 cups of water boil, whip the egg with another tablespoon or two of water, then combine it with the coffee grounds and mix (you can even mix the shell in!).
Once the water is boiling, add the coffee and egg mixture. After a minute of boiling you can add your 2 cups of cold water to cool it down, then pour it through a strainer.
You'll find that this drink is light on bitterness - one of the hallmarks of a typical "cowboy coffee" brewed without a filter. This is because the protein in the egg helps absorb that bitterness, resulting in a cleaner, smoother cup.
Vietnamese Custard Coffee
This drink originated in Hanoi, Vietnam in 1946. With supplies running low due to the war it became difficult to get milk for coffee drinks in the city's Sofital Legend Metropole Hotel. The bartender there, Nguyễn Văn Giảng, turned to eggs in order to create a creamy au lait like coffee beverage.
To make this drink you will actually want to track down some robusta beans if you can. The strong flavor of these beans helps balance out the sweetness of the custard that you'll be making using sweetened condensed milk and an egg yolk.
We recommend brewing your coffee for this in a mokapot to further enhance its intensity. In the meantime, combine an egg yolk and a tablespoon of sweetened condensed milk in a bowl and vigorously whisk until you get a frothy, creamy texture (you can add a teaspoon of sugar here if you like it even sweeter). Alternatively, you can multiple this recipe by multiple eggs and prepare a larger volume of custard with a stand mixer.
Next, pour your coffee and add the custard on top, it's that easy!
This is a decadent, sweet dessert-like drink that will satisfy any sweet tooth.
Kaffeost
Kaffeost originates with the Sámi people in northern Sweden and Finland. This drink combines cheese cubes with coffee and was said to help balance the intense purity of the region's water, which could lead to sodium deficiencies. The result is a smooth, savory drink that provides a really unique cup.
Traditionally, this drink was made with reindeer cheese, but today Finnish bread cheese is the best candidate. If you can't find that then paneer or halloumi cheese can provide a good substitute, though halloumi tends to be very salty!
For your coffee, you'll want to stick with something dark roasted and bitter. Making the drink is as simple as pouring a strongly brewed cup of drip coffee over several half-inch cheese cubes in a mug. Let it sit for a minute or two and enjoy. You can even spoon out the cheese and eat it along with your coffee!
Let us know how you enjoyed these unique drinks, and see them made below!