- 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.
Raw eggs in egg coffee may raise salmonella risk
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.
“Hot coffee does not typically reach a safe temperature to cook the egg and reduce the potential risk of salmonella contamination,” Routhenstein said.
Salmonella infection can cause symptomsTrusted Source such as diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, which may begin anywhere from a few hours to a few days after exposure.
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.
Egg coffee often high in sugar and saturated fat