If you’re an avid coffee drinker, then you might have heard of coffee jelly. Whoa! Coffee in jelly form? Well, for one, the Japanese swear by it. They love it to bits and pieces. But is it any good? How do you make it? Do you have more questions like this? We got you covered.
What does coffee jelly taste like? Coffee jelly has a rich coffee flavor with the perfect balance of sweetness. It is generally not too sweet and has a bold, robust coffee taste. The texture is gelatinous, which adds to its unique appeal. Compared to regular coffee, you get less caffeine but that’s just another reason to load up on these coffee treats!
How Would You Describe Coffee Jelly?
If you’ve had jelly before (I mean, who hasn’t?), then you know what we’re going for here.
Coffee jelly is a jelly that comes with all things coffee in it. When you get the whole thing in front of you, just give it a wobble, you know, just for the fun of it.
It has the same consistency as regular jelly but with that added kick of caffeine for a pick-me-up! But don’t get too excited. The caffeine level in coffee jelly is much less when compared to your regular coffee drinks.
When you compare the taste with regular jellies, there is a difference here.
Regular jelly is usually very sweet. But with coffee jelly, we get a good hit of coffee first with a nice touch of sweetness that isn’t too overpowering.
Needless to say, this one’s meant for people who love their coffee. Or if you’re trying to add some flavor to your milk and want to try something you haven’t done before, the coffee jelly will definitely work.
Is Coffee Jelly Real?
Of course, it’s real.
It’s as real as coffee.
If you go to Japan, you will see how easily you can get your hands on coffee jelly. Though this jelly originated in European countries, the lack of support from the local folks didn’t help it thrive. But when the Japanese got hold of coffee jelly they never let it go.
The Japanese also have made coffee jelly their own by adding their unique twist to the recipe. If you want to make the authentic coffee jelly of today, you’re gonna have to stick to that. But more on that later in this post. Keep reading.
What Does Coffee Jelly in Boba Taste Like?
Coffee Jelly Boba tastes like coffee but with limited sweetness and more coffee. The overall taste profile will change depending on how many coffee jelly cubes you will be using in your boba drink.
If you go less, it’s going to taste like a mild coffee drink. But if you’re going to go all in, then you’ll have a nice strong coffee drink in your hand.
When compared to regular boba, coffee jelly boba carries a rich coffee flavor. It’s not overly sweet which is something you’d observe in a lot of boba drinks.
As we mentioned above, you can add more or fewer jelly cubes to your boba as per your taste. This is not something most people will do to their regular boba drink. They’ll just go with a fixed about of boba in their drink.
Why Do People Love Coffee Jelly?
Most people love coffee jelly because it’s unique.
When was the last time you saw a jelly made out of coffee? This is definitely something special, especially for coffee lovers.
It also looks pretty cool when mixed with other ingredients in your boba like tea, milk, or even alcohol. You can create some great-looking and tasting drinks with coffee jelly as your main ingredient.
And if you’re looking for something different to eat or drink, you can’t go wrong with coffee jelly. Most people prefer Japanese coffee jelly as a standalone dessert. Well, at least, I do!
Coffee jelly also offers an interesting texture that you don’t often find.
It has a chewy and jiggly consistency that some people love. Sometimes your milk or even coffee is a bit too bland and you want something to kick it up a notch. Coffee jelly is a perfect choice in those situations.
Coffee jelly is often paired with other flavors, like matcha and vanilla for example, which can make for a combination of sweet and earthy flavors that many people find irresistible.
You will surely feel like a Michelin-star chef when a gourmet combination like this is a hit with your family and friends.
Related Read: Japanese Canned Coffee
Is Coffee Jelly Vegan?
Yes, coffee jelly is vegan if you use agar-agar-based gelatin to make yours. Agar agar is made from seaweed and it is completely vegan. But, on the other hand, if you use store-bought gelatin to make your coffee jelly, then it can’t be vegan as gelatin contains animal-based ingredients.
If you’re a vegan and want to try coffee jelly, then we suggest you check the ingredients on the pack before you buy them. If you intend to make them on your own, then be sure to go for agar-agar gelatin as it is perfectly vegan.
Is Coffee Jelly Sweet?
Coffee jelly comes with a hint of sweetness but with a more dominating coffee flavor. You will get a rich coffee taste that is accompanied by a bit of gentle sweetness.
If you’re not a big fan of bitter coffee taste, then while making your own coffee jelly, you can surely add more sugar to the mix to make it even sweeter.
Most coffee lovers like Japanese coffee jelly the way it is.
In more ways than one, it is just the perfect jelly.
How To Make Coffee Jelly?
So you want to make your own coffee jelly?
We’ve got the right coffee jelly recipe for you. It’s fun and easy even for beginners.
Let’s dive in.
Here’s what you need:
- Water
- 25 gm agar-agar ( for authentic Japanese-style coffee jelly and also for vegans)
- Instant coffee powder
- Sugar
- Condensed milk or whipped cream (optional)
Step 1 – Make The Gelatin Mix
First thing, add your gelatin to a bowl and then add one cup of water on top of it.
The gelatin crystal must be completely dissolved before you can use them. So keep this mix aside for about 10 to 15 minutes or however long it takes.
Step 2 – Prepare The Coffee Sugar Mix
While the gelatin water mix does its thing, let’s work on the next step.
To three cups of water, add a cup of instant coffee powder and sugar (to your taste). Place the pan on medium heat.
Give it a nice slow stir till the coffee and sugar completely dissolve.
Step 3 – Mix Them All!
Once everything is completely dissolved, it’s time to mix them.
Add the gelatin mix to the pan and give it a nice stir so that both mixtures completely diffuse with one another.
Step 4 – The Final Assembly
Now pour this mixture on a separate dish to a depth of about 2 to 3 cm. This height is perfect for jelly.
If you have a jelly mold, you can pour the mix into that as well.
Now give it some time to cool off.
Once, it is at room temperature, move it to your refrigerator. Let it freeze for about 2 to 3 hours.
Step 5 – Enjoy!
Once it’s set, you can enjoy your coffee jelly all you want.
You can cut them into small pieces and shapes of your choice.
If you want, you can eat them with a side of whipped cream or condensed milk. This is a nice dessert and your family will love you for this if they love coffee as well.
Go on. Try it and let us know how well it turned out!
What Do You Eat Coffee Jelly With?
Coffee jelly is great on its own.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t pair it up with something else and make a special treat.
You can enjoy coffee jelly with a scoop of ice cream or some whipped cream on top, as well as some other flavored syrups or sauces to create different flavors. You can also try coffee jelly with condensed milk and that’ll be a treat to remember.
It also pairs well with fruits like strawberries, oranges, and kiwis for added sweetness. But hey if you don’t want to mix fruits and dessert, I understand.
Coffee jelly is also great with a slice of cake or served as a topping on pancakes or waffles.
If you have something that goes well with coffee, you can try replacing it with coffee jelly.
Closing Thoughts
So, is coffee jelly any good?
Heck yeah, it is.
Coffee jelly is a much-loved snack, dessert, and topping in Japan. It’s delightfully flavorful and the perfect way to have your coffee without drinking it.
What’s more, you can make them on your own, then be sure to go for agar-agar-based gelatin as it is perfectly vegan. If you’re not vegan, you can pair it with whipped cream, condensed milk, or even ice cream to take it up a notch.
Coffee jelly might be super popular in Japan, but once you taste it, you’re going to want it more often than you think.
Do us a favor. Please make your own coffee jelly (or buy it from a store, we don’t mind), and let us know how much you like it 🙂
