MY Instagram feed has changed so much in the past week. From OOTDs and travel photos, the content has evolved to more food, family, pets and two recent fads—TikTok and Dalgona coffee.
OK, there have been inappropriate and insensitive posts from rich and famous people but this is not about them.
So many adults are annoyed by both TikTok and Dalgona coffee but it’s what every young person is into now. I’m not sure about Dalgona coffee but so many young colleagues of mine were already into TikTok even before the whole world went into quarantine.
TikTok is a Chinese video-sharing social networking service founded in 2012. It is used to create short dance, lip-sync, comedy and talent videos. Everyone is so into TikTok these days that under quarantine, GMA Artist Center has called for auditions via the app. You know TikTok is big because every kid wants to be on it.
To access TikTok and its videos, you need to get the app (it is available as free download from the App Store and Google Play Store) and register. You don’t need to post anything. You just need the app to follow accounts and see their posts, like and message accounts.
Now on to Dalgona coffee, a big trend on TikTok. If you have social media, you know that this is very popular right now. The drink may look complicated but you only need four ingredients to make one, five if you include ice cubes.
The drink itself is from India, Pakistan and Macau but Dalgona is the name of a traditional toffee from South Korea. On a Korean TV show called Pyunstorang, actor Jung Il-Woo traveled to Macau and tried the drink. He remarked that the drink, known as whipped coffee or beaten coffee, tasted like Dalgona.
In the past week, people have been posting videos of them making Dalgona coffee on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. These videos made us try the recipe.
You whip equal parts of instant coffee (we used Nescafe Decaf), sugar (we used brown) and hot water together with a wire whisk, electric mixer, or even a fork for around 12 to 15 minutes until the mixture is stiff. Fill your cup or glass with ice and the milk of your choice (we used evaporated milk because it was the only thing available) and top with the whipped mixture. You can even top it with the Milo chocolate-and-malt powder. I read a blog post that you can also do it using an instant chocolate drink mix. I have yet to try that but of course, the taste would be different.
I’ve seen so many posts dissing those who are posting on TikTok or showing off their Dalgona coffee. I say let these people be. They aren’t harming anyone. There are more things to be angry about. If people want to make coffee all day to distract themselves in this time of community quarantine, we should let them. If TikTok is their coping mechanism and they aren’t harming anyone, I don’t see anything wrong with it.