Goguma Latte (Korean Sweet Potato Latte)

A recipe for a Goguma Latte (Korean Sweet Potato Latte)! Steamed sweet potato is blended with milk and sweetened with honey for a comforting drink.

After a brief period of warmth, it seems winter has returned with a few extra chilly days. This Goguma Latte (고구마 라떼) is a perfect break from the cold. It also contains no caffeine, so it is kid-friendly and a great option for those avoiding coffee.

Sweet potatoes are steamed until tender, then blended with milk and a little honey. Before serving, top with frothed milk, ground cinnamon, and chopped walnuts for an added boost of warming flavor.

Notable Ingredients

If possible, try to use sweet potatoes with a purplish skin and pale flesh for a creamy, light latte. For those in the Northern Virginia area, I have been able to find Korean sweet potatoes (고구마) in Lotte Plaza and H Mart.

For a striking purple color, use a purple fleshed sweet potato (known as Jasaek Goguma/Okinawan Sweet Potato) to make Jasaek Goguma Latte (자색 고구마 라떼).

A Few Tips

I peeled and cut the sweet potato into 1 inch (2.5 centimeter cubes), then steamed the pieces in a lined bamboo steamer basket until tender. You can also cut the sweet potato in half, prick a few times with a fork, and roast in a 375˚F (190˚C) oven until completely tender.

The pinch of salt helps bring together the flavors.

Adjust the honey to taste. I usually add closer to 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters). The honey can also be swapped for maple syrup or granulated sugar. If using granulated sugar, make sure it is completely dissolved in the sweet potato milk before removing from the heat.

I topped the latte with chopped toasted walnuts, but almonds and other nuts are also popular.

Before chopping, I toasted the walnuts to add a little more texture and nutty flavor. You can either heat them in a dry skillet while constantly stirring until just toasted and fragrant or bake in a single layer on a baking sheet at 350˚F (180˚C) for about 8-10 minutes.

For a vegan option, use a non-dairy milk such as oat milk.

I have an espresso machine to froth the milk. Without one, steam the milk by heating it (on the stove or in the microwave), transfer to a frothing pitcher, and use a handheld milk frother to create the right consistency. If using a non-dairy milk, it won’t steam as well without a professional espresso machine.

Without a handheld frother, cold milk (nonfat to 2% is best for stable foam, but won’t be as rich) can be shaken in a tightly sealed jar (no more than a third filled), then microwaved to set the foam or heated and frothed in a French press (pump for about 10 seconds, be careful not to overfill) or whisked vigorously while hot. 

Looking for more sweet potato recipes?

Try my:

• Sweet Potato Caramelle
• Mashed Sweet Potatoes
• Sweet Potato Rolls

Goguma Latte (Korean Sweet Potato Latte) Recipe

Adapted from My Korean Kitchen

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5 from 5 votes

Goguma Latte (Korean Sweet Potato Latte)

A recipe for a Goguma Latte (Korean Sweet Potato Latte)! Steamed sweet potato is blended with milk and sweetened with honey for a comforting drink.

Course Drinks

Cuisine Korean

Keyword beverage, drink, goguma, Korea, Korean, latte, sweet potato, winter

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

0 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 2 -4 Servings

Ingredients

• 8 ounces (227 grams) Korean sweet potato one with purple skin and pale flesh if available
• 2 cups (470 milliliters) milk
• 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 milliliters) honey
• Pinch salt

For topping:

• Frothed milk
• Ground cinnamon
• Finely chopped toasted walnuts or other nuts, optional

Instructions

• Peel the sweet potato and cut into 1 inch (2.5 centimeter) pieces. Arrange the pieces in a steamer and cook over simmering water until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
• Transfer the tender sweet potato pieces to a blender. Add the milk and blend until smooth.
• Pour the creamy mixture into a small saucepan and place over medium-low heat. Whisk in the honey and salt. Continue to whisk until heated through, about 5 minutes.
• Divide among serving glasses. Top with frothed milk, cinnamon, and walnuts.
• Serve immediately.