Are you tired of your regular coffee routine and looking for a new way to enjoy your morning cup of joe?
Table Of Contents
−- What is Swedish egg coffee?
- Origin of Swedish egg coffee
- The traditional way of making Swedish egg coffee
- Mixing eggs with coffee grounds for Swedish egg coffee
- Process of boiling water for Swedish egg coffee
- Comparison of Swedish egg coffee with Scandinavian boiled coffee
- Benefits of using eggs in the Swedish egg coffee brewing process
- How to make Swedish egg coffee at home
Look no further than Swedish egg coffee! This unique drink, originating in Sweden in the 19th century, is made by mixing raw eggs into coffee grounds before brewing.

The result is a smooth and frothy beverage that tastes like cappuccino. In this blog post, we’ll explore the history of Swedish egg coffee, how it’s made, and why you should consider trying it out. Let’s dive in!
What is Swedish egg coffee?
Swedish egg coffee is a traditional coffee-making method that uses eggs to clarify the coffee grounds and create a smooth, delicious flavor. It is also known as Norwegian egg coffee and is a popular drink among Scandinavian families.
To make Swedish egg coffee, one cracks an entire egg, including the shell, into a cup of coffee grounds mixed with a little water. The mixture is then boiled with water and simmered to allow the flavors to develop fully. The result is a rich, velvety coffee perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Swedish egg coffee is different from Scandinavian boiled coffee because the eggs separate the coffee grounds from the brewed coffee, which leads to a cleaner and less bitter taste. With the benefits of eggs in brewing, anyone can try this unique and delicious coffee at home.
Origin of Swedish egg coffee
Swedish egg coffee originated in the 1800s when Swedish immigrants were making their way to America. Legend has it that the recipe was created during the journey and has since become a cherished tradition for Lutheran communities.
While it’s not entirely clear who invented the brewing method, it’s widely believed that Scandinavians, Swedish, and Norwegian were responsible for introducing it to the United States. Despite its origins, Swedish egg coffee has become a beloved drink across the Midwest and beyond, renowned for its unique flavor and texture.
The traditional way of making Swedish egg coffee
The traditional way of making Swedish egg coffee is unique and interesting. It involves cracking an entire egg, including the shell, into a cup or bowl and mixing it with coarse-ground coffee. Then, this mixture is added to a pot of boiling water and steeped for several minutes.
Once the coffee has been brewed, the mixture is poured through a strainer to remove eggshells or coffee grounds. Thanks to the egg, this method results in a smooth and flavorful cup of coffee with a slightly creamy texture. It’s a fun and different way to enjoy your morning cup of joe, and it’s worth trying out for anyone who wants to experience a unique coffee brewing process.
Mixing eggs with coffee grounds for Swedish egg coffee
The egg acts as a natural clarifying agent, removing bitterness from the coffee and giving it a rich and creamy taste. The mixture should be stirred thoroughly to create a soil-like texture, and you can include the eggshells if you want for added minerals.
This is a crucial step in creating the perfect cup of Swedish egg coffee, and it’s important to get the right consistency by mixing the eggs and coffee grounds properly. Once you’ve achieved the desired texture, it’s time to add boiling water and let it steep for a few minutes before straining and serving.
Process of boiling water for Swedish egg coffee
To make Swedish egg coffee, boiling water is a crucial component of the brewing process. Once the water reaches boiling point, it is removed from the heat source and mixed with coffee grounds and a raw egg (shell and all).
The mixture is steeped briefly before being filtered through a sieve or cheesecloth. The resulting beverage has a slightly sweet, rich flavor and a smooth texture. The traditional method of making Swedish egg coffee involves using a wooden pot, usually with a spout and handle, for easy pouring.
This technique was developed by early settlers in the Midwest, who added eggs to their coffee as a way to clarify the water and improve the taste. Compared to Scandinavian boiled coffee, made using a similar process but without the egg, Swedish egg coffee has a distinct flavor profile many love.
In addition, using eggs in coffee brewing has been shown to have some health benefits, such as increasing the amount of protein and healthy fats in the beverage.
Comparison of Swedish egg coffee with Scandinavian boiled coffee
There are some key differences when it comes to comparing Swedish egg coffee with Scandinavian boiled coffee. Scandinavian boiled coffee, simply coffee made by boiling coffee grounds with water is a popular method in Norway and Denmark but less known in Sweden. On the other hand, Swedish egg coffee has its roots in the American Midwest and involves cracking a whole egg into coffee grounds before mixing it with water. The addition of the egg not only provides a unique flavor but also helps to clarify the coffee, making it less bitter than traditional Scandinavian boiled coffee. Overall, the two methods offer different tastes and experiences, but both are beloved by coffee drinkers in their respective regions.
Benefits of using eggs in the Swedish egg coffee brewing process
Using eggs in the Swedish egg coffee brewing process has several benefits.
- First, the egg white extracts bitterness from the coffee grounds resulting in a smoother and less bitter taste. This also allows for a longer brew time, enhancing the caffeine content.
- Secondly, the egg clarifies the coffee grounds, separating them from the brewed coffee and eliminating the need for a filter. This saves time and money while providing a clearer brew.
- Lastly, while visually unappealing, the clumped egg remnants produced during brewing provide the key to the coffee’s mild flavor and powerful caffeine kick.
Using eggs gives Swedish egg coffee a unique taste and brewing experience that coffee lovers should try.
How to make Swedish egg coffee at home
Here’s a step-by-step recipe for making Swedish egg coffee at home:
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons of coarse-ground coffee (similar to what is used for a French press)
- 1 whole egg
- 6 cups of water (1 cup for every cup of coffee you wish to make)
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, crack open the egg and mix it with 3 tablespoons of coarse-ground coffee and half a cup of cold water. Mix the ingredients together until it forms a paste.
- Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan or coffee pot.
- Add the coffee-egg mixture to the boiling water and stir it thoroughly.
- Reduce the heat to medium and let the coffee boil for a few minutes. Keep stirring occasionally to ensure that the coffee-egg mixture does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
- As the coffee boils, it will start to settle at the bottom of the pan, and the liquid will become clear and smooth.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and strain the coffee through a cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer into a carafe.
- Discard the coffee-egg residue left in the strainer.
- Serve the hot coffee in a mug and enjoy the creamy, smooth taste with less bitterness than traditionally brewed coffee.
Note: If you prefer your coffee to be sweeter, you can add sugar or cream to taste.
As a general rule, use 1 tablespoon of coffee and 1/2 cup of water per serving, and adjust the egg accordingly (1 egg per 3-4 servings).
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