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Japanese Coffee Jelly (Kōhī Zerē) Recipe

4.7 from 57 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

Jelly Mixture

  • 2 cups water
  • ½ stick kanten powder
  • 2 tbsp instant coffee
  • 1 tbsp sugar

Topping (Optional)

  • ¼ cups whipped cream

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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