Abstract: A formulation for a food additive in the form of a dry powdered mixture is disclosed. The mixture is used with a hot coffee beverage--freshly brewed or prepared from instant coffee--to form a foamed head thereon. The formulation consists of a sugar, sodium bicarbonate, a releasing agent having at least two-components, and a hydrating agent. In the best mode of practicing the invention, the hydrating agent is gelatinized starch which controls both the skin-forming characteristics and the longevity of the foamed head. To preserve flavor and aroma, the total of sodium bicarbonate and the two-component releasing agent aggregates no more than 5% by weight of the food additive, the flavor remains unimpaired. Another aspect is that the foamed head formed has a skin thereover that simulates the skin formed on espresso coffee using a more complicated mode of preparation.