Japanese Coffee Jelly

Here’s a detailed Japanese Coffee Jelly recipe that’s authentic, easy to follow, and gives you that classic café-style dessert popular in Japan. It’s refreshing, lightly bitter, and perfectly balanced with sweet cream.

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☕ Japanese Coffee Jelly (コーヒーゼリー) Recipe

🍮 What Is Coffee Jelly?

Coffee Jelly is a chilled dessert made from black coffee and gelatin, usually served in cubes with whipped cream or sweetened milk. It originated in Japan in the 1960s and remains a nostalgic and trendy treat.

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📝 Ingredients (4 servings)

For the Coffee Jelly:

• Freshly brewed black coffee – 2 cups (480 ml)

• Unflavored gelatin powder – 2 tsp (or 1 packet, about 7g)

• Sugar – 2 to 3 tbsp (adjust to taste)

• Hot water – 2 tbsp (for blooming gelatin, optional)

For the Topping (choose one or more):

• Sweetened whipped cream

• Sweetened condensed milk

• Vanilla ice cream

• Coffee cream or milk

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🍳 Instructions

Step 1: Bloom the Gelatin

1. Optional method (for smoother results):
   Sprinkle the gelatin powder over 2 tbsp of hot water in a small bowl. Let it sit for 5 minutes to bloom.

2. If not using the bloom method, you can mix the gelatin directly into the hot coffee in the next step, but it must be very hot to dissolve properly.

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Step 2: Brew the Coffee

1. Brew 2 cups (480 ml) of strong black coffee. You can use:

   • Drip coffee

   • Instant coffee (2–3 tsp for strong flavor)

   • Espresso diluted with water

2. Add 2 to 3 tbsp of sugar while the coffee is still hot. Stir to dissolve. Adjust sweetness to your liking.

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Step 3: Dissolve the Gelatin

1. Add the bloomed gelatin to the hot coffee and stir until fully dissolved.

   • If you didn’t bloom the gelatin beforehand, sprinkle it directly into the hot coffee and stir very well until there are no lumps.

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Step 4: Pour and Chill

1. Pour the mixture into a container, tray, or individual cups.

2. Let it cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least 3–4 hours, or until fully set.

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Step 5: Serve

1. Once set, cut the jelly into cubes if in a tray or unmold if using cups.

2. Place cubes into a dessert cup or bowl.

3. Top with your choice of:

   • Sweetened whipped cream

   • Condensed milk drizzle

   • Vanilla ice cream scoop

   • Cold milk or cream poured over

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🔁 Variations

• Agar-Agar Substitute: Use 1 tsp of agar powder instead of gelatin for a vegetarian version (boil it for 2 minutes with the coffee).

• Flavored versions: Add a splash of vanilla or a coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa) for adult flair.

• Layered jelly: Pour half the jelly first, let it set, then layer with milk jelly on top.

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🧊 Storage

• Keeps in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.

• Do not freeze (gelatin texture will be ruined).

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Would you like a printable version or a layered parfait-style coffee jelly variation too?