The latest viral coffee trend involves adding a ripe banana to your morning brew, creating an iced banana coffee. The drink, popular on TikTok, is a simple fusion of coffee, ice, banana, and milk.
Origins of the Trend
While social media has popularised banana coffee recently, its roots trace back to South Korea, where banana-flavoured milk has been a staple for decades. The iconic Binggrae Banana Flavoured Milk launched in 1974, when bananas were a luxury in Korea. This banana milk eventually moved into coffee, aided by the Korean convenience-store habit of buying a cup of ice and mixing your own drink.
Now, variations like banana lattes, cold brews, and coffee topped with banana cream are appearing on TikTok and Instagram. Major brands have joined in, with Starbucks releasing a Caramelised Banana Velvet Latte and Blank Street offering Banana Bread Matcha.
How to Make It
The drink is simple to make at home with just a few ingredients:
- ½ ripe banana, peeled, frozen, and chopped
- 150ml milk
- 1 double espresso shot, cooled
- Ice cubes
- Pinch of cinnamon (optional)
Make a double espresso and let it cool. Blend the frozen banana and milk until smooth and frothy. Fill a tall glass with ice and pour in the banana milk. Slowly pour the espresso over the top to create layers, then stir before drinking.
Taste and Health Considerations
The drink tastes similar to liquid banana bread, with coffee providing bitterness and banana adding tropical sweetness and texture. For best results, use a well-ripened banana to maximise natural sweetness, and freezing the banana improves texture without diluting the drink with extra ice.
While bananas contain potassium and fibre, making the drink at home with just banana, milk, and coffee avoids added sugars and syrups. However, commercial versions may use sweetened banana milk or syrups, turning them into a sweet treat rather than a healthy option.
