Coffee drinkers who have tasted Vietnamese coffee were delighted by the rich and creamy flavor of this beverage. And if you’ve ever wondered why Vietnamese coffee tastes different than your regular brew, you’ve come to the right page.
Vietnamese coffee is unlike the coffee you order at a typical coffee house. The beverage is bolder and thicker than a regular java. Many people around the world consider Vietnamese coffee to be a delicacy.
Almost every culture has a unique take on coffee. Vietnamese coffee is definitely a treat. On this post, we’re going to discuss what Vietnamese coffee is and what people find so special about the brew.
What’s so special about Vietnamese-style coffee?
Vietnamese coffee is made in a device called a phin, and the coffee will brew incredibly slowly. As the coffee brews, it pours into a mug that has sweetened condensed milk in it.
Since the coffee brews slower, it’s a stronger and thicker beverage, especially once it mixes with the condensed milk. Many people believe it has a texture that is more similar to an espresso.
This is a very popular coffee method to drink over ice because of how it’s prepared. Sweetened condensed milk is a staple item for many deserts made in Asia. This milk pairs perfectly with Vietnamese coffee and does a better job at balancing the flavor than standard coffee creamers. It is also part of the reason this coffee tastes like more of a delicacy.
Is Vietnamese Phin the same as Pour Over coffee maker?
In order to make Vietnamese coffee, you will need to use a phin. This is somewhat similar to a pour-over coffee maker that sits on top of the mug but has different qualities.
A phin is a small single-serve metal cup that is designed to sit on top of your coffee mug. It’s also a simple brewing tool that requires no filters and easy to clean.
The phin has been described to be a cross between pour-over and french press. It is a much slower process than the pour-over coffee makers, allowing the coffee to steep similar to how a french press would.
However, the Vietnamese phin also put its own unique touch on coffee. The final result is a brew much thicker than you would get with a pour-over or french press.
Is Vietnamese coffee stronger than regular brew?
Vietnamese coffee is stronger than a regular brew and many people have noted that it tastes more like an espresso-based beverage.
To begin with, a real Vietnamese coffee will be made with Robusta coffee beans that have double the caffeine levels as the Arabica beans do.
Often people will notice that one medium-sized Vietnamese coffee will have 4 times the amount of caffeine as one espresso shot. Since the Vietnamese phin makes the coffee slower, it also releases more caffeine from the coffee beans. This results in a much stronger coffee than most people are used to drinking.
What beans are used for Vietnamese coffee?
Did you know that there are 4 different types of coffee beans in the world? Arabica is the most common type of coffee bean, while Robusta beans are used for special blends. The other two, Liberica and Excelsa, are very rare.
For Vietnamese coffee, most of the time, Robusta beans are used for a darker taste. This type of bean is known for having high caffeine levels. And this makes Vietnamese coffee low-acidic, strong, and more caffeinated. The Robusta has more acidity and a more bitter taste. It also gives the coffee a darker and nuttier flavor.
Moreover, the beans should be a medium-coarse grind to use in the Vietnamese phin. The best type of coffee to use for making it is a French roast or espresso roast.
But ideally, any type of roast will make a delicious Vietnamese coffee as long as a medium-coarse grind Robusta coffee is used. If you prefer a full-body experience and unique benefits of a Vietnamese Robusta coffee bean, you should lean towards the side of a medium roast.
Nguyen Coffee Supply has a great collection of Vietnamese coffee beans. They have 100% Peaberry Robusta, 100% Arabica, and blend of the two. They are also the first importer and roaster of specialty Vietnamese Robusta coffee.
How is Vietnamese coffee made?
Ordering Vietnamese coffee is a unique experience because of how it’s made. However, if there isn’t a Vetnamese coffee in your neighborhood, you can still make one at home. We have a go-to recipe that you can use to make a delicious Vietnamese coffee at home. Make sure you have the following ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of medium-coarse grind coffee (Robusta beans are top-choice)
- 2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup of hot water
You will also need to get your Vietnamese phin and favorite coffee mug ready. If you prefer to drink iced coffee, you will also need a glass with ice cubes. Follow these steps for making a delicious Vietnamese coffee.
- Place the ground coffee in the Vietnamese phin and then place the metal filter over the coffee.
- Add sweetened condensed milk to the bottom of the mug. Place the phin on top of the mug.
- Heat the water to 190 – 195 F, then pour it into the phin filter. Place the phin lid on top.
- Allow the coffee 4 to 5 minutes to brew. It will slowly drip into the mug with condensed milk as it brews.
- Once ready, store the coffee well to ensure all the condensed milk gets mixed thoroughly with the coffee.
- You can now enjoy your coffee! However, if you prefer cold coffee, you can pour it into the glass with ice first.
You can check out the Phin Filter Guide by Nguyen Coffee for more in depth tutorials. You can learn all things Phin Filter-related.
Is Vietnamese coffee any good?
Are you looking for a new and exciting way to drink coffee? You need to add Vietnamese coffee to your must-try list. This coffee is full of bold flavor with a unique creamy twist.
It’s the perfect balance of strong and sweet, making it a popular choice for coffee drinkers all over the world. While this method takes longer to make, the wait is worth it.
The secret ingredient that makes this coffee special is condensed milk. It balances out the strong and bitter flavor of the coffee beans. Since Vietnamese coffee is made stronger than other methods, it needs sweeteners to compliment the flavor.
At Nguyen Coffee Supply, they almost have everything you need to make delicious Vietnamese coffee at home. From equipment, coffee beans to step by step video resources, they’ve got you covered. You can begin with their Vietnamese Coffee Starter Kit.
Or next time you visit a Vietnamese restaurant, make sure you try the Vietnamese phin coffee for a real treat.
Like this article? You might want to read: What is an Affogato Coffee?