Vietnamese iced coffee, also known as ca phe sua da, typically includes strong Vietnamese coffee (usually made with robusta beans), sweetened condensed milk, and ice. It is prepared by slowly brewing the coffee through a drip filter, allowing it to mix with the condensed milk before being poured over ice.
Vietnamese iced coffee, also known as ca phe sua da, is a delightful and popular beverage that embodies the unique flavors and brewing techniques of Vietnam. This refreshing drink is characterized by its strong coffee flavor mixed with the creamy sweetness of condensed milk, all served over ice.
To prepare Vietnamese iced coffee, a special drip filter called a “phin” is often used. The coffee is brewed slowly through this filter, allowing it to concentrate and infuse with the condensed milk as it drips into the cup. This process creates a rich and bold coffee base that is balanced perfectly by the sweet, thick condensed milk.
Here is a more detailed breakdown of the ingredients and steps involved in making Vietnamese iced coffee:
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Coffee: Vietnamese coffee is typically made using robusta beans, which are known for their strong flavor and higher caffeine content compared to arabica beans. The coffee is usually coarsely ground and specifically roasted for making ca phe sua da.
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Condensed milk: Sweetened condensed milk is a key component in Vietnamese iced coffee, providing its distinct creamy and sugary taste. The condensed milk is thick, sticky, and adds a delightful sweetness to balance the intensity of the coffee.
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Ice: Once the coffee has been brewed to perfection, it is poured over a glass filled with ice, instantly cooling down the beverage and creating a refreshing contrast to the warm coffee flavor.
To further explore the essence of Vietnamese coffee culture, let’s delve into some interesting facts:
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Coffee Origins: Vietnam is the second-largest coffee producer in the world, and its coffee culture has been heavily influenced by French colonization. The combination of robusta beans and condensed milk in Vietnamese coffee is a reflection of this historical influence.
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Slow Drip Brewing: The drip filter method used in making Vietnamese iced coffee is a slow and deliberate process that allows for a more balanced and concentrated brew. The slower extraction helps extract the flavors gradually, resulting in a smooth cup of coffee.
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Coffee Variations: While ca phe sua da is the classic version of Vietnamese iced coffee, there are variations that cater to different preferences such as ca phe den da (black coffee) and ca phe sua nong (hot coffee with condensed milk).
As acclaimed author David Lebovitz once said, “Drinking Vietnamese coffee is about more than just caffeine. It’s about taking the time to slow down, savor the moment, and appreciate the craft.”
Table:
Components of Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Coffee (robusta beans)
Condensed Milk
Ice
Interesting Facts about Vietnamese Coffee
- Vietnam is the second-largest coffee producer globally.
- Vietnamese coffee is known for its robusta beans’ strong flavor.
- The slow drip brewing method contributes to the coffee’s balanced taste.
Video response to your question
In this YouTube video, Emmy demonstrates how to make Vietnamese Iced Coffee using a Vietnamese coffee filter, or “phin”. She grinds the coffee beans to a texture similar to a French press and assembles the filter with condensed milk in a glass. The coffee grounds are added, tamped down, and hot water is poured over them to brew. The coffee is then mixed with condensed milk, poured over ice, and enjoyed for its delightful combination of sweetness, creaminess, and coffee flavor. Emmy recommends using the Vietnamese coffee filter, which can be found in Asian markets at a reasonable price.
Some more answers to your question
Vietnamese iced coffee ( Vietnamese: cà phê đá, lit. ‘iced coffee’) is a traditional Vietnamese coffee recipe. It is created using coffee roasted between medium and dark. The drink is made by passing hot water through the grounds into a cup that already contains condensed milk. To serve the cold drink, ice is added to the cup.
Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. This popular coffee drink requires only three ingredients: coffee, water and condensed milk. Traditionally, a Vietnamese press is used to make the coffee, but this recipe calls for a simple pour-over cone. (If you don’t have a coffee cone, you can substitute brewed espresso for the coffee.)
It is wrong to use non-Vietnamese coffee beans in a drink and call it “Vietnamese Iced Coffee” just because one adds sweetened condensed milk. This approach lacks cultural integrity, renders the actual farmer invisible, and excludes Vietnamese farmers from this transaction.
After the Vietnam War ended, many Vietnamese families settled in New Orleans, Louisiana, where Cafe Du Monde, a coffee stand that started in 1862, became a central place of employment. Soon, they began drinking the stand’s coffee, a blend of coffee and chicory. Word spread across the country, and it slowly became the coffee of choice.
Media: Cà phê đá Vietnamese iced coffee ‘iced coffee’) is a traditional Vietnamese. It is created using coffee roasted between medium and dark. The drink is made by passing hot water through the grounds into a cup that already contains condensed milk. To serve the cold drink, ice is added to the cup. , a hot variation
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What does Vietnamese coffee have in it?
Response: A true Vietnamese iced coffee will always have the three things that make it Vietnamese: coffee made using a phin filter, robusta beans, and condensed milk to sweeten it.
What is the difference between iced coffee and Vietnamese iced coffee?
As a response to this: Ultimately, both are unique and delicious in their own way, so you should definitely give both a try. Thai iced coffee tends to be milkier, sweeter, and milder as it uses light-medium roast coffee beans. While Vietnamese iced coffee, is stronger as it uses dark-roast robusta coffee.
Why is Vietnamese iced coffee so strong?
Response to this: Robusta beans, which are used to make Vietnamese coffee, have more caffeine than arabica beans. This is why Vietnamese coffee has such a strong and intense flavor and higher caffeine content than other coffees.
What is the taste of Vietnamese iced coffee?
The reply will be: Vietnamese iced coffee is said to get its unique, chocolate-like flavour from robusta coffee beans that have been roasted in a mix of fish sauce and butter!
What is Vietnamese iced coffee?
Answer to this: Vietnamese iced coffee ( Vietnamese: cà phê đá, lit. ‘iced coffee’) is a traditional Vietnamese coffee recipe. It is created using coffee roasted between medium and dark. The drink is made by passing hot water through the grounds into a cup that already contains condensed milk. To serve the cold drink, ice is added to the cup.
How do you make Vietnamese coffee?
Answer to this: Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. This popular coffee drink requires only three ingredients: coffee, water and condensed milk. Traditionally, a Vietnamese press is used to make the coffee, but this recipe calls for a simple pour-over cone. (If you don’t have a coffee cone, you can substitute brewed espresso for the coffee.)
Is it wrong to use non-Vietnamese coffee beans in iced coffee?
In reply to that: It is wrong to use non-Vietnamese coffee beans in a drink and call it “Vietnamese Iced Coffee” just because one adds sweetened condensed milk. This approach lacks cultural integrity, renders the actual farmer invisible, and excludes Vietnamese farmers from this transaction.
Where did Vietnamese coffee come from?
After the Vietnam War ended, many Vietnamese families settled in New Orleans, Louisiana, where Cafe Du Monde, a coffee stand that started in 1862, became a central place of employment. Soon, they began drinking the stand’s coffee, a blend of coffee and chicory. Word spread across the country, and it slowly became the coffee of choice.
What is Vietnamese iced coffee?
As an answer to this: Vietnamese iced coffee ( Vietnamese: cà phê đá, lit. ‘iced coffee’) is a traditional Vietnamese coffee recipe. It is created using coffee roasted between medium and dark. The drink is made by passing hot water through the grounds into a cup that already contains condensed milk. To serve the cold drink, ice is added to the cup.
How do you make Vietnamese coffee?
Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. This popular coffee drink requires only three ingredients: coffee, water and condensed milk. Traditionally, a Vietnamese press is used to make the coffee, but this recipe calls for a simple pour-over cone. (If you don’t have a coffee cone, you can substitute brewed espresso for the coffee.)
Is it wrong to use non-Vietnamese coffee beans in iced coffee?
It is wrong to use non-Vietnamese coffee beans in a drink and call it “Vietnamese Iced Coffee” just because one adds sweetened condensed milk. This approach lacks cultural integrity, renders the actual farmer invisible, and excludes Vietnamese farmers from this transaction.
Does Vietnamese iced coffee use chicory?
Vietnamese iced coffee, as done in Vietnam (and other parts of south east Asia) does not use chicory. What they do use is whole, 100% coffee. The problem those in the specialty industry may have with this iced coffee style is the type of coffee used, and the roast levels: most of Vietnam coffee is robusta, and it is roasted very, very dark.