Japanese Coffee Jelly (Kōhī Zerē) Recipe
Japanese Coffee Jelly is a delightful and refreshing dessert made from kanten powder and instant coffee, sweetened lightly with sugar and optionally topped with whipped cream. This easy-to-make jelly is a popular treat in Japan, perfect for coffee lovers seeking a unique and chilled dessert experience.
- Author: Tara
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours (including chilling time)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Japanese
- Diet: Vegetarian
Jelly Mixture
- 2 cups water
- ½ stick kanten powder
- 2 tbsp instant coffee
- 1 tbsp sugar
Topping (Optional)
- Boil water and kanten powder: Pour 2 cups of water into a small pot and sprinkle the kanten powder evenly over it. Place the pot over medium-high heat.
- Dissolve the kanten powder: Stir gently as the water heats up. When it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1-2 minutes to ensure the kanten powder completely dissolves.
- Add sugar and coffee to the mixture: Add 1 tablespoon of sugar and 2 tablespoons of instant coffee to the pot. Use a spoon or whisk to thoroughly dissolve the ingredients into the liquid.
- Pour into mold and chill: Transfer the mixture into your desired cups or molds. Place them in the refrigerator to chill until the jelly is fully set; this usually takes a few hours.
- Cut jelly into cubes: Once the jelly is firm, remove it from the mold if needed and cut it into small cubes or serve it directly in the cups.
- Serve: Optionally add whipped cream on top before serving for a creamy finish. Enjoy your refreshing Japanese Coffee Jelly dessert!
Notes
- Kanten powder is a vegetarian gelatin substitute derived from seaweed. If unavailable, agar-agar can be used as an alternative.
- Adjust sugar quantity based on your preferred level of sweetness.
- Whipped cream is optional but adds a creamy richness to balance the bitterness of coffee jelly.
- Ensure the kanten powder is fully dissolved; otherwise, the jelly texture will be uneven.
- For a stronger coffee flavor, increase instant coffee slightly, but avoid over-concentrating as it may affect gelling.
Keywords: Japanese Coffee Jelly, Coffee Jelly, Kanten Jelly, Japanese Dessert, Coffee Dessert