Coffee Jelly Is The Dessert That Just Won't Die

Coffee Jelly Is The Dessert That Just Won't Die

A recent Japanese Starbucks drink craze has brought an interesting dessert to our attention: coffee jelly. It’s basically gelatin that’s been made with the best flavor in the world.

The Starbucks drink ― which was offered during the months of July and August in Japan ― served the coffee jelly underneath a layer of creamy vanilla custard and Frappuccino. (The tweet of this drink’s arrival was retweeted more than 27,000 times.)

Jellies are big in Japanese food culture, so it comes as no real surprise that the Japanese would find a way to meld them with coffee. But coffee jelly is not unique to Japan. In fact, it dates back to 1817 England and it even had (and still has, to a small degree) enjoyed popularity in New England where it was referred to as coffee gelatin.

Before Starbucks started pouring Frappuccinos on top of coffee jelly, it was consumed as a dessert in Japan (and 19th century England). Coffee jelly is most often served cut into cubes and topped with either milk, cream, whipped cream or a custardy sauce. Offered at the end of the meal, it makes for a bitter and sweet treat. It also happens to be pretty easy to make. Watch:

FYI, you can recreate this insanity of the Starbucks version in your own home. We have the video for that, too.

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