People Are Putting Eggs in Their Coffee to Enhance the Taste, but Is It Safe? We Asked RDs

Before you get cracking, here's what to know.

Ever thought of adding a raw egg to your morning coffee? If not, we don't blame you, but the latest TikTok trend has people doing just that. And it doesn't stop at the egg yolk and whites— we're talking shell and all ! The egg is supposed to improve the taste and texture of your coffee for a smoother sip. But if your skepticism bells are ringing, we understand. Ahead, we talked to registered dietitians to weigh in on the trend.

Meet the Expert

• Veronica Rouse, RD, the founder of The Heart Dietitian , and an expert at WowMD .
• Brandi Bonin, MS, RD, LD, the owner of Basic Balance Nutrition in College Station, Texas.

Why Is This a Trend?

The viral video, posted on both Instagram and TikTok, comes from barista Jimmy Johnson ( @jimmythebarista ). He makes the eggy coffee by cracking an entire egg into a small bowl of coffee grounds and water. Then, he boils the mixture in a pan with more water and strains it into a mug.

As Johnson mentions in his video, egg coffee has actually been around for a long time. Stemming back all the way to the 1800s, Swedish immigrants came to the United States and brought this coffee recipe to the churches they attended. This is how the coffee got dubbed "church basement coffee."

Johnson goes on to explain that there are two main reasons for adding an egg. "The egg yolk and white clarify the coffee reducing bitterness, and the shell minimizes the acidity, resulting in a rich, smooth, and creamy cup," says Johnson. He described the final product as tasting like, "black tea but without the astringency."

Related: TikTok's Egg Flights Are the Perfect Protein-Packed Snack—Here's How to Customize Yours

Is It Safe?

While the end result might taste good, you should be cautious when adding eggs, especially raw or undercooked eggs, to your coffee. "Consuming raw eggs and eggshells poses potential health risks," says Veronica Rouse, RD. "Raw eggs can carry Salmonella, a bacteria that can cause foodborne illness. The eggshell itself, if not properly cleaned, could harbor bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, or Campylobacter. Additionally, sharp or jagged pieces of eggshell could injure your digestive tract."

Rouse says that the only way to ensure your eggs are fully cooked when trying this trend is to measure the temperature of the coffee, which should reach 160°F to eliminate the risk of Salmonella.

Rouse notes that pasteurized eggs are generally safe to eat raw. "Pasteurization involves heating the eggs to a temperature just high enough to kill harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella, without cooking the egg," says Rouse. Egg cartons will typically say if they have been pasteurized.

"In my opinion, due to the potential risks, it’s safer to avoid this trend," says Rouse. "For a safer alternative, consider using pasteurized liquid eggs and adding milk or cream to balance the acidity instead of using raw eggs and eggshells," says Rouse.

And while eggs are a good source of protein, you definitely shouldn't crack a raw egg straight into your usual cup of coffee. There are other ways to add more protein to your cup. "If someone wanted to add protein to their coffee, I would recommend adding a protein powder or a higher protein milk option like Fairlife," says Brandi Bonin, RD. "My favorite protein powder to add to coffee right now is the unflavored Vital Protein Collagen Peptides." You could also try eating a high-protein breakfast alongside your usual cup of coffee to keep you going all morning.

Related: This Is How Much Protein to Aim for at Breakfast, According to RDs

"My number one piece of advice around nutrition trends would be to consult a registered dietitian before trying these trends. Although some may be true, many are not and have the potential to be harmful," says Bonin.

For more Real Simple news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Real Simple .