If you are a real Coffee lover or just looking for something new, we highly recommend you give Vietnamese coffee a try. It is a great opportunity to widen your coffee experience and find something new that you can enjoy. It is a known fact that the highest-quality coffee beans grow in the coffee bean belts, including Vietnam. Nowadays, Vietnam is one of the largest manufacturers of coffee in the world. The reason is its tropical climate and soils that are perfect for coffee harvesting.
Vietnam has many great coffee brands that are popular not only in the country but also worldwide. Lots of them have their fair share of fans around the globe. If you want to learn more about Vietnamese coffee, this article is exactly what you need.
What Are Vietnamese Coffee Brands
Vietnam is the second-largest manufacturer of coffee in the world, so its popularity is not surprising. However, the country mainly produces Robusta coffee beans and almost no Arabica. Actually, about 97% of produced coffee is Robusta.
Considering the fact, Vietnamese coffee is known as not the best one when it comes to flavor and aroma. Despite it, it is one of the largest coffee giants. The main reason is that local Robusta is widely used for different espresso blends and instant coffee. There are even several huge brands that have their manufacturing facilities in Vietnam.
Vietnamese coffee is known for its mild but still rich flavor. Also, local farmers now work on developing Arabica harvesting in Vietnam to expect some new offers for Vietnamese coffee.
Benefits of Vietnamese Coffee Brands
Below, we made a list of some of the most amazing health benefits of Vietnamese coffee that you should consider. It does not only give you a rush of caffeine in the morning but has some other benefits.
Source of Antioxidants
Vietnamese coffee is known for its high content of antioxidants. According to some researches, local coffee contains about 1000 various antioxidants and elements.
Prevent Heart Diseases
It is a proven fact that moderate coffee consumption is good for your heart as it protects your arteries from damages and inflammations.
Alleviates Depression
Vietnamese coffee can stimulate dopamine production and alleviate depression, anxiety, and lack of energy due to its caffeine content. Also, it helps regulate your mood and increase concentration.
Lowering Cancer Risks
Researchers proved that regular consumption of coffee could significantly reduce the risks of cancer. About 3-4 cups of coffee per day can significantly reduce the risk of getting cancer.
Helps in Weight Loss
Vietnamese coffee is a great way to stimulate weight loss. It is especially good to take a cup of Vietnamese coffee in half an hour before your workout to increase your energy and stamina. Moreover, it makes your brain break down fat cells and transform them into energy.
Short History of Vietnamese Coffee
The history of Vietnamese coffee started back at times when the country was a part of French Indochina. Back then, coffee trees were brought to Vietnam and started being harvested there.
It became especially popular when the local Communist Party decided to make coffee harvesting the main tool for an economic boost in 1986. Just in 4 years, the country gained a significant position in the global coffee market. Since then, Vietnam has been able to increase its coffee production yearly and become the second-largest coffee manufacturer in the world after Brazil. Nowadays, the local coffee industry has a significant role in global coffee production.
Because Vietnam mainly produces Robusta, it is one of the main coffee suppliers for instant coffee production. By the way, instant coffee can be ridiculously cheap.
How Does Vietnamese Coffee Work
It is a known fact that Vietnamese coffee is one of the most widely used when it comes to espresso blends and instant coffee production. Local Robusta is absolutely perfect for most espresso blends and is very popular among Italian espresso manufacturers.
Local Robusta is pretty strong in caffeine content, but the taste is still pretty good. It is rather mild but still rich and pleasant.
When it comes to Arabica, it only gains its popularity in the country. It is hard and expensive to harvest, but considering its price on the market and popularity, the local government considers it a great way to improve the local economy. That is why the government actively supports Arabica harvesting in the country.
Pros and Cons of Vietnamese Coffee
Pros
- Rich flavor and a great caffeine boost.
- Affordable prices.
- Goes well for espresso-based drinks as both latte and macchiato contain milk that reduces the strength of your coffee.
- Variety of brands that offer great coffee options.
Cons
- The high content of Robusta that results in high caffeine content.
- Lots of low-quality coffee.
- Almost no Arabica of local production.
Types of Coffees Popular in Vietnam
Robusta
Due to the Central Highlands of Vietnam’s climate, Robusta is the best coffee type to harvest in the country. Actually, Robusta takes about 90-95% of local coffee production annually. Local Robusta is known for its strong aroma, rich flavor with almost no acidity, and, of course, high caffeine content.
Arabica
There is almost no Arabica harvesting in Vietnam and it only starts to develop, so there is not so much to say about it. However, it is for sure worth your attention. If you have an opportunity to get some Vietnamese Arabica, make sure to give it a try.
Cherry
There are two main coffee cherries types produced in Vietnam – Liberica and Exelsa. Its popularity in the country is that the local climate and soil are perfect for its harvesting. It’s popular among women due to its gentle flavor.
Culi
Culi is a type of Robusta widely produced in Vietnam. It is known for its strong aroma, bitter flavor, and high caffeine content. This coffee is known for its really black brew.
Moka
Coffee Moka is one of the highest quality types of Arabica; that is why it is rather rare in Vietnam and its price on the local market is rather high. It is known for its incredible sour aroma and delicate flavor.
How to Choose the Best Vietnamese Coffee Brands
Product Name
The coffee name is one of the main sources of information about coffee. It can tell you about various properties such as type of beans, roast and grind type, and even brewing methods.
Origins
Most Vietnamese coffee is produced in such regions as Gia Lai, Daklak, and Da Lat. All of these areas are located in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. The main difference between the areas is their altitude and the way local coffee is harvested.
Species
There are five main coffee types produced in Vietnam – Arabica, Robusta, Cherry, Culi, and Moka. We already told you about each of these types, so you know their specifics.
Processing Method
Dark roast coffee is the most popular option in Vietnam. That is the main reason why local coffee tends to have a strong and rather intense taste and aroma. Several brands offer medium-dark roasts and medium roast coffee.
Also, there is a rich variety of instant coffee products in Vietnam. It is very popular among locals as it is cheaper and faster to make. You need to put some coffee into your mug, add water and stir it, and your coffee is good to go. The only point you need to consider is that instant coffee tends to have a subtle flavor and aroma.
Flavors and Undernotes
Local coffee has a wide variety of undertone flavors, including such options as smoked caramel, chocolate, fruit, spices, deep smoky, sweet flavor of French roast, and others. You need to choose the one you like.
Brewing Methods
If you want to enjoy authentic Vietnamese coffee, you need to use the authentic Vietnamese brewing method. Below, you can find a step-by-step guide on how to make Vietnamese coffee.
Most Popular Vietnamese Coffee Brands
Chestbrew
Chestbrew coffee is one of a few Vietnamese brands that offer Arabica beans. The beans are harvested on special fields with only Arabica trees to preserve their taste and aroma. However, it still has a distinctive Vietnamese vibe with incredible exotic notes.
Trung Nguyen
Trung Nguyen is for sure one of the world’s best Vietnamese coffee. This international brand is known for more than 50 years and has a great reputation. This coffee is known for its intense aroma and distinctive Vietnamese flavor. The brand offers blends of Arabica, Robusta, Excelsa, and Catimor.
Dalat Peaberry
Vietnamese Peaberry Robusta is one of the main ingredients of Italian classic espresso. It is known for its chocolate notes, rich aftertaste, and lush body. All of it results from rich local soil and the fact that the brand sun-dry coffee cherries to increase Robusta’s, natural sweetness. The brand uses high-land Robusta with a richer profile than other types of Robusta harvested in other regions of Vietnam. Also, the coffee produced by this brand is known for its butter and maple sugar flavor notes.
Lang Thang
Lang Thang Group produces a whole variety of products, but coffee is their specialty. The brand has its own farms in Saigon, where they harvest its coffee. The most famous coffee produced by this brand is for sure “Saigon Phin Dhalak.” This is a bland of local Arabica, soy, and peaberry. The coffee has an absolutely unique and distinctive aroma and flavor. The brand offers custom roast that is perfect for the best automatic espresso maker, French Press, or Phin Produce brewing methods. It is especially great for iced coffee and cold brew. By the way, the French press can extract a very strong and robust cup of coffee.
VN Roaster
VN Roaster is one of the youngest coffee brands on the Vietnamese market. The company was started about 10 years ago, but it doesn’t prevent the brand from being listed as one of the top 10 coffee manufacturers in the country. The company’s coffee farms are located in Dak Lak, where they harvest Arabica beans. The brand mainly offers ground coffee that is processed locally. Also, the company uses its own unique roasting method. VN Roaster coffee is roasted in butter or cinnamon, resulting in a very distinctive flavor and aroma.
Vinacafe
Vinacafe is an abbreviation from the Vietnam National Coffee Corporation. It is known as the largest manufacturer of some of the best instant coffees in the country. Also, it was awarded the Highest Quality Vietnamese Product title more than once. The most popular coffee offer produced by Vinacafe is Instant Mixes, known for their incredible thickness and rich flavor. This brand stands out among others because their instant coffee has the same taste and texture as brewed one.
Nescafe
Nescafe is one of the most known coffee brands in the world that Nestlé produces. It is one of the main Vietnamese coffee buyers. Actually, the company purchases about 25% of all coffee produced in Vietnam. The company actively supports local coffee products and invests great savings annually to help local coffee farms. The company mainly produces instant coffee that is sold all over the world and very popular in different countries.
How to Brew Vietnamese Coffee
Step 1 – Boil water
First of all, you need to boil some water. You can use an electric kettle to make it faster.
Step 2 – Prepare your cup and filter
Use some of the boiled water to preheat a filter and a cup. Just pour some water inside and then pour it out into the sink.
Step 3 – Get ready
Put about 1 tablespoon into the phin and put a metal filter in place. Make sure it is securely placed on top of the coffee. If your filter has screws, screw it well.
Step 4 – Start brewing your coffee
After it, you need to pour just a little water into the filter to wet the grounds so they can expand a little. Let it sit for several seconds and then fill the filter to its maximum capacity, close it with the lid, and place the cup under the filter. Leave it for 3-5 minutes to let the water drip through the coffee. Also, don’t forget to adjust the filter as if it’s too loose, you’ll get a very light brew with no flavor and if it’s too tight, you’ll get no coffee. Just be careful as the filter is very hot.
Step 5 – Add condensed milk
Condensed milk is an essential part of authentic Vietnamese coffee. If you prefer the thicker texture and sweeter flavor, add about 2-3 teaspoons of condensed milk. For stronger coffee with less sweetness, 1 teaspoon of condensed milk will be enough.
Does More Spending Mean More Quality
When it comes to Vietnamese coffee, more spending for sure means more quality. The reason is that most of the coffee produced in Vietnam is Robusta, while Arabica is pretty rare in the country. That’s why Vietnamese Arabica tends to be rather pricey.
Do’s and Don’ts With Vietnamese Coffee
Do’s
- Do check the coffee description on the package when choosing Vietnamese coffee.
- Do try authentic Vietnamese brew.
- Do try different Vietnamese coffee brands to find your perfect one.
Don’t
- Don’t drink too much Vietnamese coffee as it may contain a good amount of Robusta.
- Don’t hesitate to try Vietnamese coffee.
FAQ About Vietnamese Coffee Brands
Why Vietnamese coffee is the best?
Vietnam is one of the largest producers of coffee and the largest manufacturer of Robusta in the world. Local Robusta is very diverse and known for its rich flavor and aroma.
What is different about Vietnamese coffee?
As we mentioned before, most of the coffee produced in Vietnam is Robusta that is rather strong. Also, local manufacturers use unique harvesting and roasting methods, so local coffee has various rich flavors and aromas.
What is a Phin?
A phin is a Vietnamese coffee filter consisting of a perforated plate placed over a mug, a brewing chamber with a perforated insert inside of it to temp coffee grounds, and a cap to keep the temperature of your coffee during the brewing process.
Is Vietnamese coffee safe to drink?
Vietnamese coffee is as safe as any other coffee. The only difference is that it tends to be stronger and has higher caffeine content due to Robust’s higher content, so it is better to consume it in moderation.
Also, authentic Vietnamese coffee can be a bad option for dieting, as a good portion of condensed milk is added there.
How does a Vietnamese coffee filter work?
To brew Vietnamese coffee, you need to place ground coffee in the phin and pour some hot water over it. Cover the filter with the lid and let the coffee steep so the water can flow through the grounds.
What coffee is best for Vietnamese coffee?
If you want to have authentic Vietnamese coffee, it is better to choose one of the Vietnamese coffee brands. Local coffee is known for its unique flavor and aroma, so to experience real, local coffee, it is better to use local beans.
Conclusion
Vietnamese coffee is for sure unique and great. There is an incredible variety of options when it comes to Vietnamese coffee. Just give them a try to find your favorite one. You can always order several options online. Amazon can bring coffee from all around the world to your home.
Also, make sure to brew it in the way locals do it to try the real Vietnamese coffee. You can also try to add cream to your cup of coffee for a rich and thick texture. Moreover, it can be used for various coffee drinks, including brewing authentic cowboy coffee.
Photos from: Zulfiska / depositphotos.com, galitskaya / depositphotos.com,
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