What Makes Vietnamese Coffee So Unique?

Pune, 10th May 2024: If you have had the pleasure of trying Vietnamese coffee before, you will be familiar with its robust and rich flavor. If you haven’t had the chance to try it, then it is definitely something to add to your coffee bucket list.

Whether you want to make Vietnamese coffee at home, have a trip to Vietnam planned, or simply want to build on your coffee knowledge, this beginner guide has everything you need to know about Vietnamese coffee. 

What Is Vietnamese Coffee? 

Vietnamese coffee is a special brew unique to Vietnam that uses specific beans and a traditional brewing method. This produces a robust, rich coffee that packs a punch of flavor.

The coffee is made using a phin, which is a drip filter, similar to a French drip. Coffee beans are ground down to a medium-coarse grind, placed into a phinover a cup, and then weighed down with a thin lid. As hot water is added to the phin,  the brewed coffee slowly drips down into the cup.

The coffee can be enjoyed as-is, but it is typically very strong and full of flavor, so many serve it with condensed milk, to sweeten the coffee and take away some of the bitterness. It can be served hot or cold, on its own, or with a blend of different ingredients. 

Anyone who has ever tasted Vietnamese coffee knows it has a unique character. Its richness in flavor is due to a few reasons:

• Vietnamese coffee is made using robustaand peaberrybeans, instead of arabica beans which are typically used worldwide. Robusta beans have a higher caffeine content, which makes the coffee taste stronger and slightly bitter.

• The beans used to make Vietnamese coffee are also often infused with other ingredients, such as mocha or cacao, to create a unique flavor.

• The drip method used to brew Vietnamese coffee enhances the flavor further, keeping the robustness of the beans and ensuring a full-bodied taste.

• The way that Vietnamese coffee is served adds to its uniqueness. Commonly, Vietnamese coffee is served with condensed milk, but it can also be served with egg, yogurt, coconut milk and other ingredients. 

The Different Types Of Vietnamese Coffee

 There are a few types of Vietnamese coffee to try, and the variety can seem overwhelming at first. Here are the most popular types of coffee served in Vietnam:

• Ca phe den – Black coffee. Ca phe den, which is black coffee, is most commonly served cold. You can ask for it with or without sugar.
• Ca phenau / ca phesua – Coffee with milk. This is the most popular type of coffee served in Vietnam – a strong brew mixed with sweetened condensed milk. It is referred to as ca phenau in the north and ca phesua in the south. This can be enjoyed warm or served with ice (which is the most popular option)
• Ca phetrung – Egg coffee. This might seem unusual to many, but it is popular for good reason! Egg yolk and condensed milk are whipped together to form an airy froth and are topped onto rich Vietnamese drip-brewed coffee. This is popular in Hanoi, where it originated.
• Ca phe cot dua – Coconut coffee. Coconut coffee is a new trend, which involves traditional Vietnamese coffee, served with a blend of condensed milk and coconut milk, poured over ice.
• Suachua ca phe – Yogurt coffee. You may never have thought to top your yogurt with coffee, but it is a popular choice in Vietnam. Rich and creamy yogurt is topped with a dash of coffee and stirred together to make a refreshing beverage.

 Where Can You Get The Best Vietnamese Coffee? 

There are amazing coffee shops throughout Vietnam, so you really cannot go wrong. However, if you are looking for the best coffee experience possible, many people would recommend Hanoi.

Hanoi is considered to be the center of coffee culture in Vietnam, and it offers both traditional and trendy coffee shops for locals and tourists to enjoy. You will find a wide variety of coffee served in these cafes.

However, don’t let this stop you from trying out the vast variety of quality coffee served all over Vietnam.

How To Make Vietnamese Coffee At Home 

If you can’t get to Vietnam to try out traditional Vietnamese coffee, you can make some at home! Using the right beans and brewing method, the Vietnamese coffee you can make at home will taste just as good as the real deal. Here is what you need, and how to make it:

What you need: 

• 1-2 tablespoons of condensed milk
• Vietnamese coffee beans (robusta)
• 1 cup of hot water
• Phin coffee filter
• Heat Proof glass
• Ice (optional)

Method: 

1. Boil the water and remove it from the heat – you need to allow it to sit for around 50 seconds to cool down from boiling.
2. Pour the condensed milk into a heat-proof glass. The amount you use will depend on how sweet you want the coffee to be.
3. Grind the coffee beans down to a medium-coarse grind.
4. Place the coffee into the phinand push it down very gently. Place the phinonto the glass and fill it with hot water.
5. Leave the coffee to drip for between 3 to 6 minutes.
6. Once the coffee has dripped through, stir the drink to combine the coffee and condensed milk.
7. You can enjoy the coffee as is, or add in some ice cubes to have it chilled.

Notes: 

• If you do not have a phinfilter, you can use a French-drip filter or a French press for similar results.
• Robusta coffee beans offer a traditional taste, but you can use another dark-roasted coffee bean if you can’t get your hands on any.
• Avoid using boiling water. This will burn the beans. Leave the boiling water to cool for just under a minute before pouring it over the beans.

Beginners Guide To Vietnamese Coffee 

There is a good reason that Vietnamese coffee is becoming more popular outside of Vietnam – it is delicious! Hopefully, this guide provides you with everything you need to know about Vietnamese coffee, whether you have a trip to Vietnam planned, or you want to make some at home for yourself.