Norwegian egg coffee is an exotic coffee preparation. Below we explain everything you need to know about Norwegian egg coffee and how to prepare it.
What is Norwegian egg coffee?
Norwegian egg coffee is a recipe invented in the Nordic countries. This variant is primarily consumed in Norway and Sweden, but this did not prevent immigrants from bringing this version to the United States in the 1990s, where it experienced a renaissance in the West.
To make egg coffee, ground coffee, an egg, and hot water are mixed, boiled for a few minutes, and then filtered through a sieve to remove any lumps.
Normally the egg is cracked open and poured over the ground coffee. However, there are more traditional methods that involve crushing the eggshell and adding it to the mixture. This is based on the belief that the eggshell eliminates the acids in the coffee.
This preparation differs from Vietnamese egg coffee, where the egg is whisked with sugar before it goes into the coffee.
Why is coffee mixed with eggs?
This blend is designed to eliminate the coffee’s characteristic sour taste.
The protein contained in the egg is broken down when the coffee is boiled, resulting in a homogeneous mixture of coffee and egg. Some studies have shown that when these two ingredients are blended, the caffeine found in the coffee beans increases generously in the drink.
An egg with its shell, thanks to the alkaline properties of the eggshell, in the event of a bad roast, can neutralize the excess acidity and thus improve the taste of the coffee.
How to make Norwegian egg coffee at home
The quantities are for one serving:
- 1 small saucepan
- 1 cup of water (1)
- 1 bowl, for mixing the ingredients
- 1 fresh egg (make sure it’s really fresh)
- 2 tablespoons ground coffee of your choice
- 1 cup water (2)
- 1 colander
- In a small saucepan, bring a cup of water to a boil.
- Prepare a bowl in which to mix the ingredients.
- Crack an egg in the bowl and mix it in. You can also add the eggshell if you like.
- When the egg is scrambled, add 2 tablespoons of ground coffee and stir until a paste forms.
- When you get a homogeneous mixture, add it to the boiling water. You need to leave the pot on the fire for 3 to 5 minutes until a layer of the mixture forms on top. Be careful not to boil over.
- Once you remove the pot from the heat, add a second cup of water. The coffee grounds and the bowl can now sink. After adding the water, let the coffee sit for a minute.
- Before you can enjoy your coffee, you still have to run it through a sieve so that no residue of the mixture gets into your cup.
