Vietnamese coffee is popular not only in Asia but also throughout other parts of the world. You would probably recognize something interesting if you had or were served a Vietnamese coffee before.
It is commonly known that Robusta is the primary coffee grown in Vietnam. However, bean style is not the only reason why Vietnamese coffee is famous. The strong taste, thicker brew, darker roast, and old model Phin coffee filters make Vietnamese coffee for a difference.
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Vietnamese Coffee Cultures
Besides being the second-largest coffee producer, Vietnam has sophisticated coffee cultures recognized by coffee drinkers across regions. In their country, coffee is a big part of everyday life.
Coffee is a mainstay of the diet for locals. It is deeply rooted in the social and economic fabric of Vietnam. Coffee can be found on just every corner in town. There are simple sidewalk coffee carts and aesthetic cafés with a cultural ambiance.
These places are more than just a setting to savor coffee break but to sit and enjoy with friends. From morning to night, coffee places are patronized by all ages enjoying cold and hot Cà phê.
But the older generation wants to savor the simple and antique spots more than young people. Therefore, there are a lot of things that coffee drinkers need to explore what Vietnamese coffee has to offer.
Beans
Most coffee beans on foreign markets, as we know, are Arabica, but Vietnam is centered around robusta. Compared to Arabica, Robusta is higher in profile, richer in acidity, and more bitter flavor. It can give the best and strong espresso, but people also enjoy mixing it with condensed milk.
If you have this coffee for the first time, you should try condensed milk. Robusta is not a favorite for many foreigners so Vietnamese people started to blend it with Arabica to give more distinctive tastes.
Grind and Brewing
The dark roast, yet tasteful coffee of Vietnam, relieve your morning daze and perks up your day. Vietnamese coffee grounds are much rougher and bigger in texture than normal coffee. It is because they brew with their traditional Phin which has large holes.
Phin cà phê is similar to a French press. It is a small metal Vietnamese drip filter that makes their coffee slow and patient. If you want to make this coffee recipe, you need to use a Phin filter, not paper filters. Unlike paper filters, Phin cà phê takes more time to brew your coffee but in detail.
You will get a cup of fresh coffee without the taste of grinds. Phin filter and brewing time are the two outstanding features that give a spotlight to Vietnamese coffee.
Serving Style
Where the brewing style is visually unique from others, how Vietnamese coffee is served is even more special. Traditionally, Vietnamese coffee is served in small and long glasses. If you ever have a chance to experience authentic coffee in their country, you will never see them serve coffee in ceramic cups or mugs.
In the simplistic site of the sidewalks or narrow roads, you will find people have Phin cà phê on the top of the coffee glasses. It is more like a way you brew coffee yourself. But you will sit and enjoy the slow pace of dripping. Then, you get excited until you take a sip.
In Vietnam, delicious coffee, whether it is served at home or in a restaurant, is brewed leisurely. The dripping unhurried goes through the filter and is less intense than the coffee pour. Hot coffee is preferred in the morning, while iced coffee (cà phê sữa đá) is saved for the day in hot weather.
Vietnamese coffee bean Brands
There are many brands of Vietnamese coffee. Also, coffee snobs are passionate about their favorite coffee and dig out which brand or type of Vietnamese coffee is the best. It is sure to stir up some arguments. If you cannot come to Vietnam, you can also find the best Vietnamese coffee in America.
For the past few years, there have been many new roasters in America trying to hop on Vietnamese coffee beans. Beginners to Vietnamese coffee may need a lot of advice and instructions.
A big-name coffee brand like Trung Nguyen has chains of coffee shops in Vietnam. This brand exports worldwide and has good reviews for dark roast beans. Café Du Monde Coffee with Chicory is another popular ground coffee. It is dark roast and flavorful.
Vietnamese Coffee Recipes
Vietnam does not only have astonishing social cultures on coffee, but also delicious coffee recipes. Not a country with a long history in coffee, but Vietnam quickly took the veins and developed coffee variants and cultures that are vastly different from the western world. You can get a heartwarming experience anywhere with their coffee recipes even in remote mountain areas of their country.
In the following, you will know some famous recipes for Vietnamese coffee. Also, you will learn how to make it at home with a few ingredients in your kitchen. You can follow the easy and quick instructions below.
Vietnamese Black Coffee (cà phê đá )
It is a fact that robusta coffee contains more than twice the caffeine content than what is found in Arabica grounds. Thus, Vietnamese hot coffee and espresso are the best drink for someone who is a big fan of black coffee. It is time to try out Vietnamese coffee now if the espresso you last had was not strong enough. Vietnamese iced coffee is known as “cà phê đá or cafe da”.
To make Vietnamese coffee at home, you first need to find their dark roast coffee and a coffee filter. Cafe du monde and Trung Nguyen are the top popular and easy to find in an Asian market. You can also mix between the two for a beyond expectation. Also, a french press filter is a good option if you do not have a Vietnamese Phin.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ sugar
- Ice cubes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons (14g) robusta coffee grounds (such as Trung Nguyen coffee supply)
- Hot water to brew coffee
First, put the fine ground coffee of 2-3 oz into your metal filter. Second, place the drip filter onto your glass or cup. Then, pour in some hot water. Press the filter hard and let your coffee flavor drip in. Savor the time 5 minutes and your coffee is ready to take a sip. Next, remove the filter. Add some sugar if you want it less bitter and sweet. Finally, add some ice if you like iced coffee.
Vietnamese Milked Coffee (cà phê sữa)
Vietnam produces the best robusta, but they do not drink only espresso. Even more popular than black coffee, Vietnamese milk coffee is everywhere in the country. They call it “cà phê sữa” which is an iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk. Forget about cappuccino or flat white this time;
To make this recipe at home, it takes the same preparation process as the first recipe. You just need sweetened condensed milk in addition.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ to 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- Ice cubes
- 2 tablespoons (14g) robusta coffee grounds (such as Trung Nguyen ground coffee or cafe du monde)
- Hot water
First, get your glass and add 2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk. Second, place a Phin filter on top and then put in your delicious ground coffee. It is preferably du monde coffee because it is delicious and gives authentic flavor. Next, slowly pour in boiling hot water in a proper amount. It is time to brew your coffee so press on the filter well.
Do not rush; sit and enjoy the brewing drip by drip. Once coffee fills in your glass, add some ice. There you go; cà phê sữa is ready to serve. You can also enjoy this recipe along with some sweet cuisines. That is what Vietnamese people do.
Vietnamese Egg Coffee
Egg coffee sounds very unusual but this recipe is very popular in northern Vietnam. This egg coffee recipe is made of brewed coffee with condensed milk and chicken egg yolk. It is called “cà phê trứng” in Vietnamese. The egg yolk mixed is fresh and raw so it can be not pleasing for someone that hates raw food. But it is indeed a healthy recipe.
You need a few simple ingredients to make an egg coffee recipe at home. Those ingredients are Vietnamese coffee (du monde coffee or Trung Nguyen grounds), sweetened condensed milk, and raw egg yolk. And yes, a Vietnamese Phin or any coffee filter to get your coffee brewed. A French press is a great option too.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ or 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon of dairy milk (optional)
- 2 tablespoons (14g) robusta coffee grounds
- A chicken egg
- Ice cubes (optional)
First, get a coffee filter on the top of your serving cup or glass. But do not forget to fill in the glass with 2 tablespoons of condensed milk. Then, measure your ground coffee 2 to 3 oz into the drip filter. Now, you slowly pour in boiling water to brew your coffee.
Sit and chill for about 5 minutes to let your coffee drip. The last step, break your chicken egg yolk and mix it with your coffee. It tastes the best. Egg coffee can be served as both hot coffee and cold coffee; yet hot coffee is more common.
Vietnamese Iced Coconut Coffee
Combining coconut juice with a coffee drink is a good trend right now. If you have never tried one yet, you should go with Vietnamese Iced coconut coffee. To make this coffee recipe at home, you need a few main elements from your home kitchen.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons canned coconut milk, shaken
- 3 tablespoons whole milk
- 1 ½ tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- Ice cubes
- 2 tablespoons (14g) robusta coffee grounds
First, you start by getting your coffee brewed with a drip filter. You need 2 tablespoons of robusta coffee grounds and sweetened condensed milk. Once it is measured, you slowly pour in hot water and let dripping go through the filter.
After the coffee is ready, remove the filter. Then, add 3 tablespoons of coconut milk and mix it well. Last, add some ice cubes. There it is, your coconut coffee is off for a happy sip.
You need to take note that Vietnamese coconut coffee is served best as a cold drink; it is not made as a hot coffee.
Keys Take-Away
It is the best experience to savor when making Vietnamese coffee recipes for the first time. You need several ingredients and 1 to 2 materials ahead.
Vietnamese coffee is what you mainly need. Coffee grounds from Trung Nguyen and Café du monde with Chicory have the best reviews and popularity. These two brands can be found in Asian markets in town. You can also use any coffee beans of your favorite, but Vietnamese ground coffee gives you authentic feelings.
Next, you need a Vietnamese metal filter which they call “Phin ca phe”. You need a Phin filter to get your coffee brewed on the top of the coffee glass or cup. Vietnamese coffee-making styles are not about coffee pour, but self brewing. Slowly pour in hot water, your coffee will leisurely drip through the filter. The coffee you get gives a more detailed flavor than ever.
In addition, you also need potential condensed milk if your Vietnamese coffee recipes are not about espresso. Longevity brand is a recommended sweetened condensed milk for your coffee.
Vietnamese hot coffee or espresso is best for morning moods to score up your energy. Vietnamese milk iced coffee is a pleasant recipe for the hot weather of the day. Vietnam egg coffee is another must-try recipe on your bucket list. Egg coffee is a healthy menu drink yet easy to make at home. Also, Vietnamese coconut milk coffee is another special recipe. You will need a few elements from the home kitchen to make this menu.
Now you know well about Vietnamese coffee cultures and even Vietnamese coffee recipes. You can easily make any of the recipes at home for your morning coffee and for your beloved ones. It is the time and idea to refresh your emotions and connections through coffee.
References
- What is the Differences Between Vietnamese and Normal Coffee? | COFFEEIMPROVED | Matt
- How to Make Vietnamese Coffee? | THEWOKSOFLIFE | Bill
- Vietnamese Iced Coconut Coffee| FOODANDWINES | Sarah Nguyen
Check out: Vietnamese Coffee 4 Ways / 4 kiểu cafe Việt Nam By Van Nguyen