South Korea has been inspiring the world for years with its approach to beauty care and a healthy lifestyle. The phenomenon of the so-called K-beauty has also sparked interest in the Korean diet and unusual Asian drinks that, instead of artificially stimulating, provide the body with nutrients. Recently, it has become popular in Seoul’s cafes goguma latte – sweet potato-based drink. It has a creamy consistency and a natural, sweet taste.
Goguma latte, despite its name, has nothing to do with café latte. It is made from a combination of baked sweet potatoes and milk. It appeared on the menu of cafes in South Korea several years ago, but it gained real popularity in the era of social media, when photos of purple cups began to appear on the Internet.
It is especially popular in autumn and winterwhen Koreans are looking for something warming, nutritious and light. Unlike regular coffee goguma latte does not raise blood pressure or cause excessive stimulation – it is a calming drink, but at the same time filling and energizing. Many Korean cafes serve it in glasses rather than cups.
In the West, goguma latte became fashionable thanks to food bloggers and influencers. The drink’s popularity is also the result of easier access to sweet potatoes and growing awareness of their health-promoting properties. Vegetables are rich in vitamins, fiber and antioxidants.
Why is goguma latte called a beauty drink? All thanks to the wealth of nutrients that have a direct impact on the condition of the skin and the entire body. Sweet potatoes are a source of beta-carotene, vitamin C and E support collagen production, protect the skin against free radicals and slow down the aging process.
Vegetables also contain dietary fiber, which improves digestion and helps maintain a flat stomach. They contain potassium, which regulates the body’s water management. This prevents swellingthat cause discomfort. Goguma latte has a low glycemic index, so provides long-lasting energy without sudden blood sugar spikes.
This is the perfect drink for people who want to limit caffeine but need something filling for the morning or afternoon snack. Thanks to the natural sweetness of the sweet potato latte, it does not require added sugar, which makes it delicious perfect for people who care about their figure. In Korea, it is often a second breakfast or a healthy snack, a Dietitians recommend the drink to people struggling with skin problems and fatigue.
Preparing gogum latte at home is very simple and does not require special skills. Just mix it with warm milk – cow or plant. If you like sweet drinks, you can add a little honey or vanilla for flavor. The slimming and appearance-improving properties of this beauty elixir will be enhanced by a pinch of cinnamon. Some people also add almond flakes and espresso, which – in the morning – are supposed to further stimulate them.
Ingredients:
- medium purple sweet potato (can also be white or orange),
- 250 ml of milk (warm, cow’s or plant) + 120 ml of milk (for frothing),
- optional: a teaspoon of honey, a pinch of cinnamon, a drop of vanilla extract, espresso.
How to do it:
Peel the sweet potato, wash it and cut it into pieces. Place on an oven tray lined with baking paper and bake at 200 degrees Celsius for about 40 minutes (until soft).
Transfer to a blender cup and pour in 250 ml of previously heated milk (it should only be warm, not boiling). Blend until smooth, velvety purée.
If you like, add honey, cinnamon, vanilla or espresso and mix. Pour the drink into a glass or mug.
Froth 120 ml of milk in a frother until fluffy. If you don’t have such equipment, simply heat the milk to about 60 degrees Celsius (do not boil) and then beat it vigorously with a whisk, blender or mixer until foam is obtained. Pour the foam on top of the latte using a spoon. Serve immediately while hot.
You can also serve Goguma latte cold. In this case, follow the above recipe, but after baking and mixing the sweet potato, set the mixture aside to cool. Do not heat the milk and add it to the cooled purée. Pour into a glass with ice cubes. Apply the foam or add more cold milk (e.g. almond milk for flavor). Drink immediately.
Goguma latte is a Korean alternative to coffee that combines unique taste with strong health-promoting properties. It is a filling, warming drink rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants that is worth trying at least once.
Source: Terazgotuje.pl, viva.pl
