The Coffee Jelly Recipe You Need Right Now!

This article gives a thorough overview of coffee jelly, and a great coffee jelly recipe to follow so you can enjoy it yourself right away!
By
Samanta Fryer
Samanta Fryer
Writer
Samanta Fryer is our senior editor and content writer, at CoffeeVibe. Apart from writing and reading, she’s fond of the coffee brewing process and enjoys tasting new coffe read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Ryan Hendricks
Ryan Hendricks
Expert
Ryan Hendricks is our tester, who puts products through their paces. He used to be a barista and is now a full-time coffee enthusiast. He’s always testing out new gadgets, read more
Last updated: August 20, 2023
CoffeeVibe is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here

Have you just found out about coffee jelly? For some, it’s an indulgent, delicious treat. For others, it can be considered a way of life with its complex flavor and texture profile, giving you all kinds of yummy sensations that go far beyond the reach of a lone cup of coffee.

By now, you’re probably desperate to find the perfect coffee jelly recipe so you can make some yourself. The great news is, we have it right here! In fact, we’ve got all the information about coffee jelly, including; a brief history, description, and insight into the great jelly powder/ gelatin debate.

It’s important to follow the right recipe for this popular treat so that you get the best flavor and consistency. The tips below will help you to do that whilst also guiding you to use the right ingredients and methods for the perfect results. Why wait any longer? Read on for the perfect coffee jelly recipe and more below.

What Is Coffee Jelly?

The Coffee Jelly Recipe You Need Right Now!
Coffee jelly is an incredibly unique, sweet food that is typically enjoyed as a dessert alone or added to hot and cold drinks.

Coffee jelly achieves the slippery, firm texture it is known for because it has a base of gelatin or an algae-based substitute that is then mixed with sugar and a high-quality coffee, usually one that comes from a coffee maker. The most delicious coffee should be used to achieve a deep, rich flavor, and high-grade coffee makers like this Chemex 10-cup wood neck coffee maker are often the most reliable options for creating the kind of yummy coffee you use make fantastic coffee jelly.

You’ll see this tasty treat most often in Japan served in cafes or even in Japanese schools. However, it’s also seen in Europe and has risen in popularity as coffee culture, and at-home coffee making becomes more popular.

Coffee jelly is also a great way to add a punchy burst of coffee into your diet or beverages because you can make it as strong as you like. Some people enjoy the fact that coffee jelly makes them feel more awake, stimulated, or even happy as it can produce serotonin in the brain Trusted Source Central fatigue: the serotonin hypothesis and beyond - PubMed The original central fatigue hypothesis suggested that an exercise-induced increase in extracellular serotonin concentrations in several brain regions contributed to the development of fatigue during prolonged exercise. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov .

Other coffee jelly lovers appreciate the potential health benefits of coffee. Research suggests Trusted Source New review suggests coffee can stimulate digestion | British Coffee Association The review of 194 research publications suggests that moderate coffee consumption (defined by EFSA as 3-5 cups per day) was not found to generate harmful effects on the various organs of the digestive tract. Two areas of particular interest emerging from the research are the association between coffee and a reduced risk of gallstones and the evidence linking coffee consumption with a reduced risk of pancreatitis, although more research is still needed. britishcoffeeassociation.org that coffee can help reduce your gallstone risk and protect you against certain liver diseases. It could even help reduce your risk Trusted Source The Effect of Caffeine on the Risk and Progression of Parkinson’s Disease: A Meta-Analysis Coffee and caffeine are speculated to be associated with the reduced risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The present study aimed to investigate the disease-modifying potential of caffeine on PD, either for healthy people or patients, through a meta-analysis. The electronic databases were searched using terms related to PD and coffee and caffeinated food products. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov of degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer’s.

A Brief History of Coffee Jelly

Coffee jelly is thought to originate from Britain as far back as 1800, although this is commonly disputed as some people feel strongly that it came from America. The British records suggesting coffee jelly first came from that part of the world come from something called The New Family Receipt Book, which dates back to between 1745 and 1828. The book includes all kinds of information on British domestic life, including various recipes of which coffee jelly features as a suggested dessert to be served in individual cups.

Coffee jelly then made its way to America in the early 1820s/1830s, where it was common to make it with help from a pour-over coffee maker and then serve it with thick whipped cream, a popular take on the recipe even today. It wasn’t until the early 1900s that coffee jelly then appeared in Japan (called kohii zerii), where it became and remains incredibly popular to this day.

The Coffee Jelly Recipe You Need Right Now! 2

Coffee Jelly - Recipe

Mary Jankins
We have chosen to show you a classic and simple coffee jelly recipe that you can use to make a delicious, rich dessert. You can tweak the ingredients to suit your taste, but the process and measurements will ensure a stable and reliable result every time.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 4 people
Calories 31 kcal

Equipment

  • A cup
  • Spoon
  • Bowl

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp gelatin powder unflavoured
  • ¼ cup water ideally filtered
  • 2 cups strong, black, flavorful coffee
  • 2 tbsp sweeteners such as white sugar, agave syrup, or coconut sugar

Instructions
 

  • Brew the coffee and filter the water.
    The Coffee Jelly Recipe You Need Right Now! 4
  • In a clean bowl, mix together the gelatin and the water using a fork or whisk until well combined.
    The Coffee Jelly Recipe You Need Right Now! 6
  • Place the gelatin and water to one side, and mix the sugar and coffee in a pan, bringing it to boil gently, avoiding the highest heat setting.
    The Coffee Jelly Recipe You Need Right Now! 8
  • Once the mixture is boiled, take it off the heat and whisk in the gelatin and water mixture until there are no lumps and everything has dissolved fully.
    The Coffee Jelly Recipe You Need Right Now! 10
  • Leave the mixture to cool completely.
    The Coffee Jelly Recipe You Need Right Now! 12
  • Once the mixture is cool, place it in individual cups or a large baking tray, dish, or even a silicone cake tray.
    The Coffee Jelly Recipe You Need Right Now! 14
  • Leave the mixture in the fridge to set fully, which usually takes about six hours.
    The Coffee Jelly Recipe You Need Right Now! 16
  • Consume within three days, enjoying it in drinks, desserts, and other yummy creations.
    The Coffee Jelly Recipe You Need Right Now! 18

Video

Notes

To help you create a coffee jelly that is high-grade and totally delicious, consider these tips:
  • Try It in Different Forms
Coffee jelly is yummy on its own, but it can also be enjoyed in various other ways, including:
  • In or with ice cream
  • Covered in thick whipped cream
  • In milkshakes
  • As part of a coffee-themed sundae
  • In bubble tea
  • With crispy toast
  • Sprinkled with chocolate coffee beans
 
  • Use The Very Best Coffee
Because coffee jelly relies on its flavor for the impact, it is important that you use the very best coffee you can afford. Ideally, you will avoid instant and choose a yummy medium roast that you would otherwise enjoy as a drink too.
  • Consume as Fresh as You Can
Coffee jelly only lasts around 2-3 days in the fridge before it needs to be thrown out. Ideally, you’ll make your coffee jelly on the same day you hope to consume it, so it is as delicious and fresh tasting as possible.
  • Use Natural Sweeteners If You Can
As coffee jelly usually contains sugar, it is useful to use a pure and natural sweetener like agave or date sugar. This helps boost the health aspects of the food and also reduces the chance of a chemical flavor or aftertaste that is common with sugar alternatives like stevia. Avoiding honey and processed white sugar also helps the product to stay vegan or veggie if you have made it free from animal products.

Jelly Powder vs. Gelatin Powder

The Coffee Jelly Recipe You Need Right Now!
A flavored jelly powder is often not the best choice for making coffee jelly because it is usually flavored.

Instead, something like the NuNaturals unflavoured beef gelatin powder is better because it has no negative impact on the flavor of the finished jelly. It’s also purer and healthier compared to jelly powder, which can contain additives or other additions you may wish to keep out of your yummy treat.

If you want to make the jelly vegan or vegetarian, you’ll want to use an ingredient called agar-agar, which is gelatin-free.

Final Thoughts

Coffee jelly is incredibly delicious and simple to make, especially with our easy recipe above. The trick is to use coffee in your coffee jelly that is rich in flavor so that the finished product packs a real punch and melts in the mouth.

Will you make your coffee jelly recipe with a strong Robusta from Africa? A medium roast Arabica from Columbia? The possibilities are endless! There is also a world of toppings and uses to enjoy, like whipped cream or chocolate sauce. We’re also great fans of a coffee jelly infused with chocolate coffee beans or even made into a caffeine-laden trifle! The best thing is you now have a simple base recipe to make your own perfect coffee jelly. Now it’s time to have some fun creating an indulgent, flavorsome, succulent coffee you can eat!

References

1.
Central fatigue: the serotonin hypothesis and beyond - PubMed
The original central fatigue hypothesis suggested that an exercise-induced increase in extracellular serotonin concentrations in several brain regions contributed to the development of fatigue during prolonged exercise.
2.
New review suggests coffee can stimulate digestion | British Coffee Association
The review of 194 research publications suggests that moderate coffee consumption (defined by EFSA as 3-5 cups per day) was not found to generate harmful effects on the various organs of the digestive tract. Two areas of particular interest emerging from the research are the association between coffee and a reduced risk of gallstones and the evidence linking coffee consumption with a reduced risk of pancreatitis, although more research is still needed.
3.
The Effect of Caffeine on the Risk and Progression of Parkinson’s Disease: A Meta-Analysis
Coffee and caffeine are speculated to be associated with the reduced risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The present study aimed to investigate the disease-modifying potential of caffeine on PD, either for healthy people or patients, through a meta-analysis. The electronic databases were searched using terms related to PD and coffee and caffeinated food products.
Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating