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Ended up with an extra Korean sweet potato after cooking some Korean dishes? No worries, let’s put it to good use! Transform it into a sweet and creamy Korean sweet potato latte. Cozy up with it during the chilly winter or give a cool nod to summer’s heat.

a cup with korean sweet potato latte on a table with a purple korean sweet potato aside

The other day I made some Dakgalbi for my friend and ended up with spare goguma (Korean sweet potatoes). Seemed like the perfect chance to finally write down and share my Goguma Latte recipe!

I get it, it’s summer, but guess what? This latte is just as awesome when served icy cold! During the hotter months, you’ll find plenty of cafes, like Compose Coffee, making refreshing iced goguma lattes. It’s like a hug in a cup, seriously! 🍠🥤

What is goguma latte?

Goguma latte (고구마라떼) also known as Korean sweet potato latte, is a popular drink from Korea that’s made by blending roasted or steamed sweet potatoes with milk and a touch of sweetness. Imagine a smooth and creamy latte with that yummy Korean sweet potato flavor. You can have it warm when it’s chilly out or go all summery and enjoy it as a chilled treat.

The natural sweetness and earthy vibes of sweet potatoes give this latte a cozy, down-to-earth taste – a perfect option if you’re up for a change from your regular latte lineup.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

Alternative to coffee. For those who aren’t coffee enthusiasts or are looking to cut down on caffeine, goguma lattes provide a caffeine-free alternative that’s still satisfying and flavorful.
Sweet tooth satisfaction. If you have a sweet tooth, the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes in the latte might just hit the spot without being overly sugary.

Health Benefits. Sweet potatoes are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. People who are health-conscious might appreciate the added nutritional value of their beverage.
Versatility. Goguma latte can be enjoyed hot or cold, making it a year-round drink.

Ingredients

Korean sweet potato – you can use any of the two types of Korean sweet potatoes. I used the yellow-fleshed sweet potato in this recipe.

Which Korean sweet potato to use?

Purple-fleshed sweet potatoes – These sweet potatoes have a vibrant purple or deep reddish skin and rich, purple-colored flesh. They’re often referred to as “purple sweet potatoes” and are known for their slightly sweeter taste and denser texture.
Yellow-fleshed sweet potatoes – These sweet potatoes have a pale yellow-colored flesh with purple skin. They have a slightly milder flavor than their purple counterpart.

Purple-fleshed sweet potatoes are commonly used to make goguma lattes. Their vibrant color adds a visually enticing touch to the latte, and their gentle sweetness pairs well with the creamy milk.

But yellow-fleshed sweet potatoes are more readily available and work equally well. Just remember, don’t swap them out for the Western orange-fleshed sweet potatoes – those can alter the taste and texture entirely.

milk – use regular full-fat milk, but feel free to switch to semi-skimmed milk or a dairy-free option as long as the taste is fairly neutral and doesn’t overpower the other flavors.
sugar – adjust the sugar quantity to your taste.
ground cinnamon – cinnamon adds depth and warmth and complements the goguma latte perfectly.
shaved almonds – feel free to sprinkle some shaved almonds or chopped walnuts. While this step is optional, I recommend adding them for an additional burst of nutty flavors.

cheese foam (optional)

cream cheese
whipping cream
milk
sugar

Note: I’m a fan of whipping up cheese foam to top up most of my cafe-style drinks, but you can also swap it out with milk froth (just froth up some milk with a frother) – that’s actually how the classic goguma latte is put together.

How To Make goguma latte?

Preheat the oven to 220°C/425°F.
Poke several holes in the sweet potato using a fork to allow steam to escape.
Bake the sweet potato in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes or until it’s soft and easily pierced with a fork. Alternatively, you can steam the sweet potato for approximately 30 minutes until it’s tender.
Once the sweet potato is cooked and slightly cooled, peel off the skin. Discard the skin.
In a blender, combine the cooked sweet potato, milk, and sugar. Blend the mixture until smooth and creamy. If you prefer a thinner consistency, you can add more milk.

two photos showing how to make Korean sweet potato latte

Pour the blended mixture into a pot and heat it over medium-high heat until it’s warmed through. Stir gently to prevent sticking.
Prepare the cheese foam. Using a frother or a hand mixer, beat together the cream cheese, whipping cream, milk and sugar. Beat until the mixture is thick and forms a creamy foam.
To assemble the latte, pour the warmed sweet potato mixture into a cup.
Top it up with cheese foam.
Sprinkle a pinch of ground cinnamon and a few shaved almonds for garnish.
Serve the goguma latte while it’s still warm.

four photos showing how to make Korean sweet potato latte step by step

Substitutions

Milk – instead of regular milk, you can use plant-based alternatives for a dairy-free version. As mentioned earlier, just make sure the taste is neutral.
Cheese foam – if you’re not a fan of cheese foam, you can skip it altogether. Alternatively, you can replace it with milk froth.
Nuts – if you’re allergic to nuts or simply prefer not to use them, you can skip the almonds or replace them with chopped walnuts.
Ice cubes – if you’re making an iced goguma latte, you can add ice cubes to keep your drink chilled.

How to serve goguma latte?

Serve the goguma latte as soon as it’s prepared, whether you’ve made a comforting warm latte or a refreshing iced version. This ensures you enjoy its flavors at their best.

How To Store?

If you have leftovers, you can store the remaining latte in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, gently reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Emma’s Tips

Cook sweet potatoes thoroughly – Whether baking or steaming, make sure the sweet potatoes are fully cooked and tender. This will result in a smoother blend and better flavor.
Blend until smooth – Blend the sweet potatoes, milk, and sugar until the mixture is completely smooth. This ensures a consistent texture throughout the latte.
Adjust sweetness – Adjust the amount of sugar to suit your preference for sweetness.
Texture consistency – Ensure that the texture of the blended mixture is consistent before warming it up. No lumps or unevenness should be present. If you prefer a thinner consistency, add extra milk.
Warming up – When warming the latte, use medium-high heat and stir gently to prevent sticking or scorching. Don’t boil, just warm it until it’s comfortable to drink.

RECIPE FAQ

You can find Korean sweet potatoes, known as “goguma,” at Asian grocery stores, Korean markets, and local farmers’ markets. Some larger supermarkets with diverse produce sections might also carry them.

No, goguma latte doesn’t contain caffeine. The main ingredients in goguma latte are sweet potatoes and milk, which do not naturally contain caffeine.

I don’t recommend using Western sweet potatoes for this, as it can lead to a significantly different type of latte. Both the taste and texture would be affected.

The ideal milk-to-sweet potato ratio for a balanced goguma latte can vary based on personal taste preferences and the desired consistency of the latte.

However, a common starting point is to use approximately 1 cup of milk / 240 ml for every 1 medium-sized sweet potato (around 7-8.8 oz / 200-250g) that has been cooked and peeled.

You can adjust the milk quantity slightly depending on how thick or thin you want your latte to be. If you prefer a creamier and thicker latte, you can use a bit less milk. If you want a lighter consistency, you can add a touch more milk.

top view of a goguma latte with cheese foam

Want more Korean cafe-style drinks?

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Goguma Latte (Korean Sweet Potato Latte)