While brewed coffee will give you a decent boost of caffeine, egg coffee might be a healthier alternative, some experts argue.
Coffee with egg has long been served in cultures spanning from Vietnamese to Scandinavian, where coffee beans are grounded, mixed with egg and boiled in hot water to provide a liquid with a stronger dose of caffeine.
According to experts, proteins in egg whites break apart when exposed to high temperatures (such as boiling water) and bind to macromolecules such as tannins, the substance that causes bitterness, instead.
As a result, the proteins decrease the acridness of the coffee, consequently reducing its bitter flavour and enhancing its caffeine dosage.
Sirine Abu Zeineh, Dubai-based nutritionist and personal trainer, argues that egg coffee could keep you fuller for long. However, she warns it has higher calories when compared to regular coffee.
“Nutrition-wise, it’s a good combination. Coffee has been proven to give a performance boost, whether physical or mental, and eggs are a great source of protein and fat. So nutritionally, starting your day with an egg coffee will keep you full for longer and help you take the day on. An egg coffee does have around 200 calories so do bare that in mind before you get addicted to it and start having a few cups a day,” she says.
For those hitting the gym regularly, Abu Zeineh recommends protein shakes over egg coffee.
“An egg coffee makes a good recovery drink, but it’s worth noting that a protein shake contains more protein and is better for recovery,” she says.
While she cautions against the risk of salmonella (bacteria found in raw eggs) when drinking egg coffee, Dubai-based dietitian and founder of xx Colour My Plate, Hala Barghout, says the hot, boiling water will kill the bacteria, making it safe to consume.
She recommends trying the coffee due to its possession of nutrients found in egg yolk.
“A lot of endurance athletes have a cup of egg coffee pre workout. Some have it as part of their training and have a cup of black coffee and side of eggs post recovery,” she says.
While recipes for egg coffee may vary between cultures, the basic one involves crushing an egg (with or without its shell), whisking it with freshly ground coffee and ¼ cup of cold water, before adding the mixture into boiling water and letting it simmer for five minutes. Pouring a cup of cold water on top of the mixture will then push the coffee to the top.
A coffee filter can then be used to enjoy the extra-strong, reddish, brownish so-called ‘egg coffee’.
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