What Makes Vietnamese Coffee Different?

Vietnamese coffee has gained a big popularity in recent years thanks to social media. But even with increased awareness, many people are still not sure what makes Vietnamese coffee unique. Continue reading to learn exactly that.

💡 Want to make this coffee? Check out the Vietnamese coffee recipe.

Robusta beans

People are usually familiar with the smooth, mild Arabica beans that dominate most of the global coffee market. But in Vietnam, it’s the potent, punchy Robusta that takes the spotlight. Robusta, as the name suggests, is a hardy, resilient variety that thrives in the tropical climate of Vietnam.

• Robusta coffee has almost double the caffeine of Arabica beans, giving Vietnamese coffee its trademark kick.
• Robusta beans also have a unique, distinct, earthy, nutty taste, with a hint of dark chocolate and a touch of bitterness.

Ingredients

While for other coffees, milk, sugar, and creamers are a popular addition, Vietnamese coffee takes a different approach.

Sweet condensed milk is the most popular sweetener for Vietnamese coffee. But there are also variations that include salt, egg, or even avocado. 

If you need a new and unique twist to your coffee, Vietnamese coffee is an excellent choice for you.

💡 You may be interested in the history and origins of Vietnamese coffee. 

Caffeine

Thanks to Robusta coffee beans, Vietnamese coffee is one of the strongest brews in the world. The only coffee brew that has more caffeine is espresso. But the reason behind this lies in the espresso brewing method. 

By forcing hot water through tightly packed grounds, the espresso brewing method manages to extract more caffeine from coffee beans.   

However, when compared to regular coffee or Turkish coffee, Vietnamese coffee has much more caffeine.

Vietnamese coffee flavor intensity

Vietnamese coffee is a symphony of strong, bitter notes, perfectly balanced by the sweetness of condensed milk. 

The robusta beans, as we discussed earlier, give this brew its intense coffee flavor. Imagine dark chocolate but with a kick of caffeine that sends a jolt of energy down your spine. That’s the kind of intensity we’re talking about. 

Then, there’s the bitterness. Vietnamese coffee isn’t afraid to embrace the bitter notes. In fact, it highlights them, turning what might be a drawback in other brews into a unique selling point. 

But what makes Vietnamese coffee truly stand out is how it pairs this intense bitterness with the creamy sweetness of condensed milk. The condensed milk doesn’t just soften the bitter edge but complements it, creating a harmonious balance that’s sheer bliss. 

Variations

If we consider espresso to be a versatile brew, then Vietnamese coffee is just behind it. No matter if you like your coffee strong and without any additions or if you like different flavors, Vietnamese coffee can give you that.

Some people even speculate that Vietnamese coffee has inspired the creation of Cafe Bombon and a Spanish latte. However, because of the use of Robusta beans, Thai coffee is the most similar to Vietnamese-style coffee. 

Brewing

To prepare Vietnamese coffee in a traditional way, you should use a drip coffee maker, also known as a phin filter.

This small filter goes on the top of the cup or glass in which coffee will start to drop.

Keep in mind that this brewing process is slower than espresso or regular coffee. So, if you get used to a quick caffeine drink, get armed with patience.

Do you need a phin filter to make Vietnamese coffee?

No, you can make Vietnamese coffee even if you don’t have a traditional phin filter. Here is an article that explains 5 different ways to make Vietnamese coffee.

Final thoughts

Coffee beans, strength, and unique ingredients are what make Vietnamese coffee unique from other popular coffee types. I recommend that you try it and experience a perfect balance of condensed milk and coffee in a cup.