Latest news with #cloudcoffee
Medscape
4 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Cloud Coffee: A Viral Drink That May Be a Healthy Choice
Another day, another viral TikTok drink. The beverage making the rounds right now is cloud coffee. The name alone sounds light and refreshing, which is exactly what many of us look for in a summer coffee drink. But what is actually in it, and is it any good for us? Cloud coffee is a chilled espresso drink made by layering Dalgona coffee over coconut water to yield a cold coffee beverage that is as beautiful as it is refreshing. Dalgona coffee, which originated in Macau in Southern China, consists of coffee powder, hot water, and sugar well beaten and layered over milk. It can be served hot or cold and it was named after the Korean candy that shares its caramel color. This whipped 'cloud' mixture is poured over a base of ice and coconut water, inspired by the coconut water americano that was also popular this spring. A coconut water americano is a simple drink that combines coconut water and espresso for a refreshing cold coffee beverage. Health Benefits From iced coffee to mocha protein shakes, the summertime coffee drinker in us is always happy with a chilled treat with a bit of caffeine. The question is, how healthy is this coffee swap for our chronic coffee drinkers? As with most things, it can be a good choice in moderation. A 16-ounce serving with 2 teaspoons of sugar contains about 150 calories, 5 g of protein, and even with a double shot of espresso, only about 120 mg of caffeine. That's comparable to the caffeine in a 12-ounce drip coffee. The addition of coconut water makes it a good source of potassium, a nutrient that is underconsumed by most Americans. Coffee is known around the world for its effect on cognition and energy levels, but it is also high in antioxidants. Caffeine and chlorogenic acid can promote a decrease in oxidative stress and improve inflammation. A pretty great way to start a hot summer day! While some recipes call for cream, I recommend whole fat milk to ensure adequate creaminess while incorporating more protein. Protein and fat both promote satiety, and a high protein diet can promote weight loss. Protein also has the added benefit of slowing down digestion and thus absorption of caffeine to allow for a slower uptake of caffeine over a longer time. This may help maintain energy levels and reduce any unpleasant side effects of caffeine such as elevated blood pressure. While I don't often recommend artificial sweeteners, the sugar in this drink could be swapped for aspartame or stevia without affecting the integrity of the whipped Dalgona coffee for those who prefer a sugar-free option. Maybe Not for Everyone While such a beverage is likely to be a refreshing treat for most, it may not be appropriate for all. Caffeine-containing beverages may not be the right choice for those prone to gastrointestinal issues like irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea due to the stimulating effects of caffeine on the bowel or on those with high blood pressure due to its properties as a vasoconstrictor. Caffeine is a well-known diuretic, so I typically recommend limiting caffeine-containing beverages to no more than 2 or 3 a day, especially during the warm summer months when we may be more at risk of dehydration. Healthy and Refreshing Alternatives As cloud coffee may not be the right choice for everyone, I always like to have a few alternatives that are either low in caffeine or caffeine-free to encourage hydration. I have many clients who drink coffee all day long, so I have a couple of tricks to help them stay hydrated without completely giving up their caffeine or adding a lot of sugar. Green tea: Green tea has less than half the caffeine that coffee does and significantly more antioxidants, most in the form of epigallocatechin gallate that has been shown to promote weight loss and improve glucose metabolism. Hibiscus tea: Hibiscus tea is caffeine free and may help to improve mild hypertension. Caffeinated sparkling water: Many brands have less caffeine per serving than a cup of coffee and can also be a great substitute for chronic soda drinkers. Iced coffee with a protein shake: This may be especially helpful for those who are in the habit of drinking several cups of coffee a day. Mix 8 ounces of cold brewed coffee with a 12-ounce protein shake for less caffeine over several hours to stay focused while decreasing the unpleasant side effects of caffeine intake. Ultimately, I want my clients to drink water for hydration in the warm summer months. But, if a fun and refreshing coffee drink like cloud coffee has them excited and offers a few health benefits as well, I'm on board.
Fox News
09-07-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Viral 'cloud coffee' trend can boost health with unusual ingredient: How to make it
A caffeine-packed drink has gone viral on social media this summer – and it contains an ingredient that could provide a health boost. Videos of "cloud coffee," made by placing coffee foam on top of coconut water, have generated millions of views on TikTok and other social platforms. The drink gets its name from the presentation of the coffee foam over the transparent coconut water, giving it a cloud-like appearance. On TikTok, the drink caught the attention of curious viewers. "I'm skeptical but I kinda want to try," one person wrote. "I have never heard of this and I am very intrigued," another person observed. Fox News Digital spoke with Bryan Quoc Le, Ph.D., a California-based food scientist with Mendocino Food Consulting, to discuss the latest craze. "Cloud coffee is made by whisking, either by hand or with a handheld mixer, equal parts sugar, granulated instant coffee and ice-cold water," he said. After the instant coffee is mixed into a thick foam, the substance is then added to a glass of ice-cold coconut water. "It can take some time to whisk the mixture by hand, so a handheld mixer is recommended," Le added. At that point, coffee lovers are welcome to mix the foam into the water on their own. If not, Le noted, the coffee foam will still dissolve in the water. "The coffee foam slowly dissolves into the coconut water to create a creamy coffee mixture at the interface of the foam and coconut water," he said. Cloud coffee is similar to dalgona coffee, said Le, which was a social media trend during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The coffee resembles dalgona – a Korean sugar candy – but is not related to the treat. "Dalgona is very similar to a cloud coffee, except that milk is used instead of coconut water," he said. "Coconut water can be swapped out with any number of other ingredients, like iced water, dairy milk, almond milk or oat milk." Coconut water also serves a health purpose: Its electrolytes can help you rehydrate faster. It's also been known to help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, according to studies. For those who might be wary about enjoying coconut water with their morning joe, other liquids will work just fine, said Le. "Coconut water can be swapped out with any number of other ingredients, like iced water, dairy milk, almond milk or oat milk," he said. Cloud coffee is one of many caffeine-packed trends that have generated momentum on social media. Last summer, TikTok users tried out a viral "cracking latte" that some people complained was disappointing. More recently, mushroom coffee has gained popularity, with Fox News host Dana Perino noting that she enjoys the beverage.
