Feeling Adventurous? Here are 4 Types of Egg Coffee You Need to Try
Let’s be honest, the thought of adding raw egg to your coffee can be a bit… well icky. Sure, we love having the two separately on their own for breakfast, but combining coffee and egg together just feels unnatural. However, mixing the two creates a drink that's surprisingly delicious, and several countries have their own version of egg coffee.
From Vietnam to Sweden, read more as we get cracking on the different types of egg coffee from around the world.
Why Combine Egg and Coffee?
In our opinion, eggs make everything better; whether it’s on a burger, in fried rice, or just on its own, eggs are packed with protein and are super delicious. This is why it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it goes really well with coffee.
But still, why should you combine the two? Not to sound like a gym bro, but, the egg adds loads of vital nutrients that will immediately enrich your coffee making the drink a great option if you don’t like having breakfast in the morning. Also, most coffees like this generally whisk the egg together with the sugar until it’s light and frothy, this mixture makes your coffee tasty, indulgent, and “eggcellent”!
Types of Egg Coffee
Although egg coffee is generally associated with Vietnamese cuisine, numerous other countries and cultures have their own version of this coffee. Here are four types of egg coffee from around the world.
1. Kopi Telur (Padang-Style Egg Coffee)
This flavorful coffee originates from the city of Padang in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Kopi Telur is somewhat similar to Vietnamese egg coffee as it’s made by mixing an egg yolk with sweetened condensed milk, but this coffee also adds spices, such as cinnamon or cardamom. This fragrant mixture is then poured over a cup of strong Sumatran coffee. The result is a creamy and flavorful coffee with a sweet aroma and a smooth texture. This drink is perfect as a breakfast beverage or even a midday pick-me-up and you can enjoy it in Padang and other regions of Sumatra.
2. Scandinavian Egg Coffee
Scandinavian egg coffee is a traditional coffee beverage that has been enjoyed in Nordic countries for centuries. The coffee is made by beating together coffee grounds with a raw egg and a splash of cold water. Once mixed, it becomes a thick paste which is then poured into a pot of boiling water. Let this simmer for a little while and then once the mixture floats to the surface, strain it and enjoy. The egg here helps to clarify the coffee and removes any bitterness, resulting in a smooth, mellow, and flavorful coffee.
3. Midwestern ‘Church-Basement’ Coffee
Yup, bet you didn’t know there was an American version of egg coffee! This unique drink was brought by Scandinavian immigrants who settled in the Midwest in the 19th century. It’s prepared the same way as Scandinavian egg coffee, but some people even add crushed egg shells to the coffee mixture!
Today, it’s fondly known as “church-basement coffee” because large batches of low-quality coffee were made to serve the congregation. The egg is used as a filter to remove any impurities and improve the flavor of the coffee. You can still try this traditional coffee at some Midwestern church stands.
4. Cà Phê Trứng, Vietnamese Egg Coffee
Vietnam is home to countless tasty traditional coffees, and its cà phê trứng is perhaps the most famous type of egg coffee. Made by whisking egg yolks with sweetened condensed milk until it becomes light and creamy. This mixture is then poured over a cup of strong robusta coffee that’s been brewed using a phin. The condensed milk and egg mixture perfectly balances the almost bitter flavor of the coffee and makes it a great drink if you want to treat yourself.
As you can see, mixing eggs and coffee together is shared across many cultures and it makes for a delicious drink that you must try. Whether you try the Midwestern 'Church-Basement’ coffee or our beloved cà phê trứng, each coffee is “egg-ceptional!”
If you want to experience a part of Vietnam’s vibrant coffee culture, snag a case of SANG Vietnamese iced coffee and experience a small piece of the country’s coffee culture.
