Why Dalgona Coffee Took Over Social Media During the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic shook the world in many ways, changing how we live, work, and interact with one another. It also influenced our habits, including how we consume media and our daily rituals around food and drink. During the early stages of the pandemic in 2020, a special kind of coffee, known as Dalgona Coffee, became an internet sensation, taking over social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. But why did Dalgona Coffee become so popular? Let’s dive into the reasons behind this frothy phenomenon.
The Perfect Recipe for Staying Home
Dalgona Coffee is a simple yet visually appealing beverage made by whipping equal parts of instant coffee, sugar, and hot water until they become creamy, and then adding the frothy mix over milk. This drink captured the interest of people stuck at home for several reasons. Firstly, it required only basic ingredients that most people already had in their kitchens. Secondly, making Dalgona Coffee was an easy and fun activity that offered a change of pace from the monotony of lockdown life. It wasn’t just about the drink; it was about creating something, a small daily project that anyone could master.
A Visual Treat for the Eyes
In the era of social media, the visual aspect of our food and drinks plays a massive role in their popularity. Dalgona Coffee, with its distinctive two-layer appearance – a creamy, caramel-colored froth on top of cold or hot milk – is incredibly photogenic. This made it perfect for sharing on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where users are always looking for aesthetically pleasing content to post. The trend also tapped into the human love for customization, as people began experimenting with adding different ingredients like cocoa powder, cinnamon, or caramel to make their Dalgona Coffee stand out.
The Viral Nature of Social Media Challenges
Another key factor in the rise of Dalgona Coffee was the way it fit perfectly into the culture of social media challenges. As the pandemic limited social interactions, people turned to social media for connection and entertainment. Making Dalgona Coffee became a challenge, similar to other viral trends. Friends tagged each other to try making the drink and share their results. This sense of community and shared experience, despite the physical distance, made the coffee trend even more appealing.
A Touch of Nostalgia
Interestingly, the name “Dalgona” comes from a traditional Korean candy of the same name, which is similar in taste and color to the whipped coffee mix. The buzz around Dalgona Coffee started when South Korean actor Jung Il-woo made the drink on a TV show, likening it to the dalgona candy he had as a kid, while visiting Macau. This nostalgia, combined with the global love for coffee, sparked interest not only in South Korea but all around the world. The trend quickly spread, becoming a global phenomenon.
Simple Joy in Tough Times
Above all, Dalgona Coffee brought a moment of joy and simplicity to a period filled with uncertainty and anxiety. Making and enjoying a cup of Dalgona Coffee was a small, affordable luxury that people could indulge in without leaving their homes. It was a reminder that even in challenging times, there are simple pleasures to be found. This drink was more than just a coffee; it was a brief escape from the complexities of the pandemic, a symbol of creativity and resilience in the face of adversity.
Wrapping Up
The Dalgona Coffee trend was a perfect storm of factors: easy-to-find ingredients, visual appeal, the joy of DIY projects, the power of social media challenges, a dash of nostalgia, and the need for simple pleasures during tough times. As we moved through the pandemic, this frothy drink became more than just a trend; it was a shared global experience that highlighted how interconnected we are. In a way, Dalgona Coffee will always be a part of the pandemic tapestry, a frothy reminder of the time when the world came together over a simple cup of coffee.
While trends come and go, the story of Dalgona Coffee during the pandemic is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to find happiness and community, even in small, whipped-up servings of coffee. As we move forward, let’s not forget the lessons and joys found in our collective cup of Dalgona. Cheers to finding happiness in the little things, no matter where we are in the world.
