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Author:
Franco Salzillo
Not everyone knows that yogurt and coffee go great together, but they do. Any dairy product, as a matter of fact, pairs nicely with our favorite aromatic bean, milk, cream, half & half, and yes, yogurt.
My first approach to this not-so-common pairing was adding a blob of yogurt to my morning mug of drip coffee, which made a mess. I knew that there had to be a better way, and I found it in an unexpected place — Vietnam.
So, there’s this thing called Sua Chua Cafe, which is a refreshing mixture of coffee and yogurt, sweetened with condensed milk and served over crushed ice. I intuitively knew I was on to something.
So, I did my research and started experimenting a bit; the result ended up much better than I expected, and today I’m sharing my notes with you.
We’ll obviously be using coffee, but what to use? I think it’s only right to use Vietnamese coffee. The South-Asian country is the second-largest coffee producing country after Brazil, and it has long been the largest source for Robusta beans.
Robusta beans are seen as lesser than Arabica; they might brew less complex coffee, but they pack a punch, which is just what you need if you’re blending your coffee with dairy. Source Robusta for this one, or an Arabica-Robusta blend. The flavors in coffee won’t be lost in the yogurt.
For yogurt, pick your favorite, but I find Greek yogurt to have the nicest texture, and makes your coffee yogurt thicker. And finally, use any sweetened condensed milk you can find and adjust the amount to your taste.
Yogurt coffee is not only a refreshing drink; it’s great for your health because of probiotics. Yogurt is a living thing; it has many healthy bacteria that strengthen your digestive system and helps you absorb nutrients better.
If you suffer from constipation, gastritis, or any other digestive sickness, a cup of yogurt coffee every morning will help. While you’re at it, top it with granola or grated nuts for added fiber and other health benefits. This could be your in-a-rush whole breakfast in a cup.
Brew your coffee and let it cool down to room temperature
In a regular glass mix the espresso with the yogurt and the condensed milk and stir.
Pour over the final glass filled with crushed ice.
Decorate with strawberries or anything else that’s fun (optional)
