How To Make Fulfilling Vietnamese Coffee

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Coffee is a national drink in Vietnam, and is one of the things to enjoy in Vietnam. This is not surprising given the excellent quality of the coffee trees grown in the Central Highlands, especially the area around Buon Ma Thuot which undoubtedly produces the best coffee in Vietnam.

The fertile soil and the ideal climate guarantee the best harvests of Arabica and Robusta coffee, as well as the rare Catimor grains which offer a strong effert, and coffee beans naturally lack caffeine.

Civet for the gourmets

For the more adventurous, there is some popular weasel (or civet) coffee, which consists of coffee beans that have been eaten and partially digested by small weasels or civets. Today the rich and exceptional taste of “coffee weasel” is made using a special natural enzyme that gives the grains a sweet and not bitter aroma. Weasels are no longer needed.

Using condensed milk

The rich flavor of Vietnamese coffee is enhanced by the use of condensed milk as a creamer and sweetener, and the cup-to-cup process, which is a beloved ritual in Vietnam. Ground coffee is placed in a special metal filter, which is placed over a cup filled with a certain amount of condensed milk.

Boiling water is poured into the metal strainer and the water slowly flows through and into the cup. The coffee and condensed milk are then carefully mixed with a spoon, creating an incredibly rich, smooth, and wonderfully sweet blend called iced milk coffee. Most Vietnamese prefer this mix served over a tall iced glass, an iced coffee. Vietnamese coffee is not for the faint-hearted and is often much stronger than Western-style coffee. 

How to prepare a Vietnamese coffee:

1. Fill a large glass with ice.
2. Use authentic Vietnamese coffee, such as Trung Nguyen.
3. Add about 20g of ground coffee to a small bowl.
4. Put 2 spoonfuls of condensed milk in a small cup of tea or coffee.
5. Place the metal filter on top of the cup.
6. Fill the metal cup with ground coffee.
7. Insert metal press to tighten on top of coffee, but do not press in.
8. Add 20 ml of boiling water and allow the coffee to drip through the filter. It is for cooking ground coffee.
9. Throw the first coffee.
10. Add 45 ml of boiling water again.
11. Place the lid on the metal cup and wait until the water completely passes through the filter, about 5 minutes.
12. Remove the metal coffee filter from the tea cup.
13. Mix coffee and condensed milk with a spoon.
14. Pour the coffee on the ice and enjoy!