Egg Coffee Is Percolating on TikTok, but May Pose Serious Health Risks

Egg coffee is going viral on social media, but experts say the trendy drink may come with food safety risks depending on how it is prepared. VU PHAM VAN/Getty Images Egg coffee, made with whipped egg yolks, sugar, and condensed milk, is going viral on social media platforms like Tik Tok. 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. “Consuming egg coffee using raw or undercooked yolk does carry a salmonella risk that shouldn’t be ignored,” said Michelle Routhenstein, 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 said. Salmonella infection can cause symptoms 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 witho