Coffee Jelly is a popular Japanese dessert that combines the bitterness of coffee with sweetness. You don't need any special Japanese ingredients, so feel free to make it at home.
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What is Coffee Jelly?
Coffee Jelly is a dessert made by mixing coffee with sugar, then solidifying it with gelatin or agar agar, and topping it with whipped cream or cream to taste. The bitterness of coffee pairs well with these toppings, offering a distinct flavor profile to enjoy as a sweet treat.
I was surprised when I learned that this dessert, which seems like it would be common worldwide, is only popular in Japan. It is a staple treat found in many coffee shops across Japan.
You can, of course, enjoy it on its own or incorporate it into a parfait by cutting it into cubes. There are many people who don't like coffee but still love coffee jelly. So, regardless of whether you are a coffee lover or not, I highly recommend giving it a try.
Choosing the type of coffee
When it comes to coffee, it is enjoyed in various forms such as drip coffee, instant coffee, and ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee, but for coffee jelly, you can use any type you prefer. Whether it has the strength, bitterness, acidity, or ease of preparation, feel free to adjust to your taste. In this recipe, I used instant coffee to prioritize convenience.
If you are aiming for a more authentic taste, I recommend using slightly stronger coffee made from dark roast beans. Opting for this can help maintain the overall balance when combined with other ingredients.
Tips for avoiding failure
There is an important note to keep in mind when making this dessert: the temperature of the coffee when adding gelatin used to solidify the jelly. Gelatin is sensitive to heat, and if it is boiled during or after dissolving in it, its solidifying ability will be weakened. This may prevent it from setting even when cooled.
The optimal temperature for gelatin to dissolve effectively is between 122-140℉ (50-60℃). Beyond 158℉ (70℃), its ability to solidify diminishes. Therefore, ensure that the coffee temperature is below 158℉ (70℃) before adding it.
📋Step-by-step recipe
Ingredients
Toppings:
- whipped cream or cream
- mint leaves
Instructions
🕒 Total: 3 hrs 10 mins
Step 1
Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, turn off the heat, and add instant coffee and sugar, stirring well until dissolved. Let it cool until it reaches a temperature of 122-158℉ (50-70℃), which should take about 3 minutes.
Step 2
Gradually add gelatin powder to the pot, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
Step 3
Pour the mixture into small bowls. If bubbles form, remove them. Place the bowls in the refrigerator and let them chill for at least 3 hours.
Step 4
Take the bowls out of the refrigerator and top with whipped cream and mint leaves to taste.
To Store
You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Recipe card
Japanese Coffee Jelly
Ingredients
Toppings:
- whipped cream or cream
- mint leaves
Instructions
- Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, turn off the heat, and add instant coffee and sugar, stirring well until dissolved. Let it cool until it reaches a temperature of 122-158℉ (50-70℃), which should take about 3 minutes.
- Gradually add gelatin powder to the pot, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
- Pour the mixture into small bowls. If bubbles form, remove them. Place the bowls in the refrigerator and let them chill for at least 3 hours.
- Take the bowls out of the refrigerator and top with whipped cream and mint leaves to taste.
Notes
- You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
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