Ever heard and tried Vietnamese coffee? This coffee is not your ordinary cup of joe. It’s strong and has a high caffeine content. Vietnamese coffee is slowly gaining popularity around US with its unique flavor. Let take a look at where Vietnamese coffee originated and how high is its caffeine content.
Vietnamese Coffee Origin
Vietnam is known to be the second-largest country in producing coffee. Second to rice, Vietnam accounts for 18% of global coffee export. Coffee was first brought and introduced to Vietnam in 1857 by the French, largely influencing Vietnamese coffee as French roast or dark roast. After the economic reforms in the 1990s, Vietnamese coffee production started booming specially in the coffee market.
Where is Vietnamese Coffee Grown
Vietnamese coffee is grown in the Central Highlands of Vietnam using basalt soil. This is where coffee, cacao and peppers are grown which explains the mocha notes of Vietnamese coffee.
Vietnamese Coffee Roasting
Vietnamese coffee is known as a dark roast. The roasting process includes added flavor such as butter, chicory, vanilla, mocha, and sometimes even whiskey.
Brewing Vietnamese Coffee
Vietnamese coffee is brewed in a small metal cup that fits over a cup or mug, this is called Phin. They brew it slowly that makes a small and strong coffee that resembles espresso. This process is typically seen in the streets of Vietnam where shops and café’s directly pours the coffee over ice.
The Caffeine Content In Vietnamese Coffee
The caffeine content of Vietnamese coffee varies depending on the type of roast. The darker roast have more caffeine content compared to lighter roast. So if you want to indulge in a lower caffeine for the night, try a light roast.
How Much Caffeine Is In Vietnamese Coffee?
A regular serving of Vietnamese coffee contains around 265 mg of caffeine per 8 oz. This is significantly higher than most coffee which only contains around 65 mg per serving. This being said, remember that Vietnamese’s caffeine content still depends on the roast.
Why is Vietnamese Coffee So Strong?
There are few factors that give Vietnamese coffee its strong and high caffeine content.
The beans are roasted for longer periods of time. They roast their beans even longer than the typical dark roast, which gives them a darker color and a stronger flavor.
Vietnamese coffee is made with Robusta beans that have more caffeine and richer flavor.
Lastly, Vietnamese coffee is brewed using a Phin filter. This filter allows a slow process of brewing which results in a strong cup of coffee.
All in all, the roasting time, the type of beans, the brewing process, and the filter makes Vietnamese coffee strong.
The Flavors Of Vietnamese Coffee
The roasting period of Vietnamese coffee gives it a dark, strong, and rich flavor. This set it apart from other coffee beans. In addition to that, café’s and shops often mix it with condensed milk to add a creamy and sweet flavor. This combination makes Vietnamese coffee stand out. The sweetness and creaminess mixed with strong and rich flavor.
How to Make Vietnamese Coffee
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons of Vietnamese coffee grounds.
- 1-3 tablespoons of condensed milk
- 6-8 ounces of hot water
Instructions:
- Get 3 tablespoons of Vietnamese coffee ground and distribute it evenly into the filter
- Pour 1-3 tablespoons of condensed milk into your glass.
- Get 6 ounces of water near boiling point. Use 8 ounces if you don’t like your coffee too strong.
- Pour 2 tablespoon of the water into the filter and wait for it to bloom.
- Compress the bloomed coffee by pressing on the filter gently. This will slow down the dripping and will result into a richer and flavorful coffee.
- Slowly pour the rest of your water into the filter. You will see that the coffee will now slowly drip into your cup with condensed milk!
- Wait for your coffee to finish dripping. This process is called drip brewing and is supposed to be a slow process, so be patient!
- Remove the filter and mix your coffee with the condensed milk. How much condensed milk is a personal preference.
- To make Vietnamese ice coffee, just add ice to your glass and pour your coffee that is already mixed with milk.
The Best Vietnamese Coffee Brands
Trung Nguyen
Trung Nguyen coffee beans are from Central Highlands of Vietnam. They are grown and roasted in the same place using a special technique that gives the beans deep and rich flavor. Trung Nguyen is the Rolls-Royce of Vietnamese coffee. It’s high quality and has a unique flavor. When brewed, this coffee will give off a strong aroma but a smooth taste that is perfect for both of your mornings and afternoons.
Chestbrew Moonbear
Chestbrew Moonbear is a coffee roaster run by a family from Ho Chi Minh City. They source the highest quality beans around Vietnam. Chestbrew offers different roasts that have unique flavors. They also offer seasonal and limited edition coffee beans.
Saigon Phin Daklak
Saigon Phil Daklak is a brand that offers high-quality beans with smooth and well-rounded flavor. It’s perfect for people who like a lighter and mellower coffee. They source their high-quality beans from Daklak province and roast it to perfection.
Dalat Peaberry Robusta
Dalat Peaberry Robusta is a unique blend of two different coffee beans. They are sourced from the regions of Dalat, Vietnam which is an ideal location for growing the best Robusta beans. Dalat Peaberry Robust will give you a rich and flavorful coffee.
Café Du Monde
Café Du Monde is originally from New Orleans. It’s a dark roast which will result into a rich and bold coffee. Its beans are sourced from Vietnam and are roasted using the traditional French style. Café Du Monde has been offering a wide selection of high-quality coffee beans for over 150 years, and they are stronger than ever.
Highlands Coffee
Highlands Coffee is another popular coffee brand in Vietnam. It has a unique taste from the high-quality beans sourced from the highlands of the country. The beans are roasted to perfection which gives off a rich and strong flavor. It’s popular for its unique and rich taste.
Phuc Long
Phuc Long has been producing high-quality coffee beans for over 50 years. The beans they use are grown and roasted in Central Highlands of Vietnam. They use the traditional Vietnamese way of roasting giving their coffee a rich and smooth coffee that is perfect for mornings or afternoons.
The Coffee House
The Coffee House is a well-known coffee shop in Vietnam that has over 100 stores across the country. They offer a wide variety of coffee made of high-quality beans. These beans are sourced and roasted in Vietnam using the traditional way. Head out to The Coffee House for a traditional Vietnamese coffee or something different.
Conclusion
Vietnamese coffee is known for its unique, bold and strong taste. It has definitely a high caffeine content but not as much as espresso coffee. If you want something that will keep you awake and will give you a push throughout the day, give Vietnamese coffee a try. But if you want something mellow over a relaxing evening, try something else or look for a Vietnamese coffee that has lower caffeine content.
