- Egg coffee, made with whipped egg yolks, sugar, and condensed milk, is going viral on social media platforms like TikTok.
- Experts warn that the drink may increase the risk of Salmonella contamination from raw or undercooked eggs.
- It can also be high in sugar and saturated fat.
- Simple swaps can make it safer and healthier.
A sweet, creamy twist on your morning cup of coffee is going viral on social media.
It’s called egg coffee, and it’s typically made by whisking egg yolks with sugar and condensed milk into a rich, custard-like foam, then layering it over a strong cup of joe or espresso.
While the drink is currently trending on TikTok, it isn’t exactly new. Versions of the dessert-like beverage have been around for decades, including Vietnamese egg coffee (cà phê trứng), Swedish egg coffee, and Italian egg-based drinks like zabaglione al caffè.
But as the drink gains popularity, some experts are warning that it can carry some serious health risks.
One of the biggest concerns about egg coffee is how it’s made. Many recipes call for raw or lightly heated egg yolks, which can carry Salmonella bacteria.
“Consuming egg coffee using raw or undercooked yolk does carry a salmonella risk that shouldn’t be ignored,” says Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDCES, CDN, a preventive cardiology dietitian at Entirely Nourished.
While some people may assume that hot coffee is enough to make the drink safe, Routhenstein warns that’s usually not the case.
“Hot coffee does not typically reach a safe temperature to cook the egg and reduce the potential risk of salmonella contamination,” Routhenstein says.
Salmonella infection can cause
While many healthy people recover without treatment, the infection can be more serious for certain groups, including older adults, pregnant people, and those with compromised immune systems.
Although the risk of contamination from any single egg is relatively low, food safety experts generally recommend avoiding raw or undercooked eggs when possible.
Beyond food safety concerns, egg coffee may also come with nutritional drawbacks.
Combined with egg yolks, it can also contribute a notable amount of saturated fat.
“We want to be mindful of the saturated fat content that this can add into your day,” Routhenstein says.
“Egg yolks and condensed milk can carry several grams of saturated fat, and depending on what else you are eating, this can raise apoB and LDL cholesterol levels.”
Higher levels of LDL cholesterol have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease over time.
While occasional egg coffee consumption is unlikely to have a major impact on health, regularly drinking high-sugar, high–saturated–fat drinks may not be the best choice for long-term health.
For those who are curious about egg coffee, there are ways to recreate a similar texture and flavor while reducing potential risks.
“To lower salmonella risk, we need to eliminate the raw egg yolk,” Routhenstein says.
One option is to swap in steamed milk or barista-style plant-based alternatives, such as oat milk, to create a creamy, foamy texture without using eggs.
These options can mimic the drink’s signature richness while avoiding the food-safety concerns associated with raw or undercooked eggs.
Another alternative is aquafaba (the liquid from canned chickpeas), which can be whipped into a stable foam and used as a coffee topping.
Using aquafaba “adds an airy cloud effect to your coffee without the salmonella [risk],” Routhenstein says.
For those who still want to incorporate eggs, using pasteurized eggs may help reduce the risk of contamination. However, experts still recommend handling them carefully and avoiding recipes that rely on raw or undercooked eggs whenever possible.
In addition to food safety concerns, making a few ingredient adjustments can help reduce the drink’s overall sugar and saturated fat content.
Traditional recipes often rely on sweetened condensed milk and added sugar, which can quickly increase the calorie load.
Swapping in lower-sugar alternatives, such as unsweetened or lightly sweetened milk, may help reduce added sugars while still providing a creamy texture.
Using lower-fat dairy or plant-based milk can also help reduce saturated fat intake. For example, oat milk or almond milk can offer a similar richness without contributing as much saturated fat as condensed milk.
Adjusting portion sizes or treating egg coffee as an occasional indulgence rather than a daily habit can also make a difference for those looking to support heart health over time.
