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Exploring Cà Phê

Welcome to our Exploring Cà Phê project. This project seeks to help introduce individuals to several styles of Vietnamese coffee. In these recipes, you will be able to follow along using the base recipe to create several variations with the use of some additional ingredients (base recipe courtesy of HungryHuy.com). Each recipe uses the main brewing method of using a phin and robusta coffee. The main idea behind this project is to share different recipes relating to Vietnamese coffee.

What will you need for each of these recipes:

 

Fun Facts (from Delightfulplate.com) :

  • Vietnam is the largest Robusta product
  • Vietnam is the second-largest producer of coffee worldwide

What are the differences between Arabica and Robusta?

The two main varieties of coffee differ in taste, growing conditions, as well as price.

Arabica coffee beans tend to be sweeter and softer in taste, with undertones of sugar, fruits, and berries. Arabica has higher acidity, with a winey taste that is characteristic of coffee with excellent acidity. 

Robusta, on the other hand, has a stronger and harsher taste, with a grain-like overtone and nutty aftertaste. Robusta beans contain twice as much caffeine as Arabica beans, and coffee connoisseurs generally consider Robusta to be of inferior quality compared to Arabica. Arabica coffee beans contain between 1% and 1.5% caffeine while Robusta beans contain between 1.6% and 2.7% caffeine, which contributes to its bitter taste.

Robusta is easier to grow and it can grow at lower altitudes than Arabica plants. They are also less vulnerable to pests and weather conditions. They produce more crops and grow much faster than Arabica plants, which require several years to come to maturity.

Source: www.196flavors.com

Basic Vocabulary

 

Cà Phê Coffee
Đá Ice
Trứng Egg
Dừa Coconut
Phin Stainless Steel Filter
Đen Black

Recipes

Cà Phê Đen (Đá) - Vietnamese (Iced) Black Coffee

 


Just the coffee this time, no sweetened condensed milk.  Not for the weak.

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp coffee (for bolder taste recipe over ice, add 2 more tsp)
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1-2 tsp of condensed milk
  • 1 cup of ice filled to top (Optional – Step 7)

Instructions

  1. Start by boiling some water. Tip: using an electric kettle makes it a lot faster
  2. Preheat the filter (phin) and cup by pouring a bit of boiling water through it.
  3. Remove the metal filter and pour in 1 heaping tablespoon of coffee. Tip: Double coffee amount if you want a bolder flavor
  4. Twist the filter on gently until it just starts to stop. Then turn it a little more, a bit less than 1/8 a turn.
  5. Pour a tiny bit of water in the filter just to wet the grind and to let the grind expand a bit (about 10-15 second). This will help rid of some small grinds that happen to make it through the filter. You can toss it out if you see any.
  6. Fill the filter all the way and let it drip. Ideal brewing time comes to about 3 to 5 minutes so adjust the filter accordingly. Place the cap on and watch the coffee drip! Too loose and you’ll just have runny brown water. Too tight and nothing will drip through. Tip: The filter will be hot, so use a fork, spoon or any other utensil to adjust the filter. 
  7. For iced coffee, let it cool off a bit then pour the brew into a glass filled with ice. 

Where To Try

Name: Trung Nguyên Legend Café (Ho Chi Minh, VN)
Address: 80 Đồng Khởi, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Phone: +84 91 528 99 32
Facebook: @trungnguyenlegendcafe.80dongkhoi
Website: trungnguyenlegend.com

Cà Phê Sữa Đá - Vietnamese Ice Coffee w/Condensed Milk

 


A little something strong, sweetened. 

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp coffee (for bolder taste recipe over ice, add 2 more tsp)
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1-2 tsp of condensed milk
  • 1 cup of ice filled to top (Optional – Step 8)

Instructions

  1. Start by boiling some water. Tip: using an electric kettle makes it a lot faster
  2. Preheat the filter (phin) and cup by pouring a bit of boiling water through it.
  3. Remove the metal filter and pour in 1 heaping tablespoon of coffee. Tip: Double coffee amount if you want a bolder flavor
  4. Twist the filter on gently until it just starts to stop. Then turn it a little more, a bit less than 1/8 a turn.
  5. Pour a tiny bit of water in the filter just to wet the grind and to let the grind expand a bit (about 10-15 second). This will help rid of some small grinds that happen to make it through the filter. You can toss it out if you see any.
  6. Fill the filter all the way and let it drip. Ideal brewing time comes to about 3 to 5 minutes so adjust the filter accordingly. Place the cap on and watch the coffee drip! Too loose and you’ll just have runny brown water. Too tight and nothing will drip through. Tip: The filter will be hot, so use a fork, spoon or any other utensil to adjust the filter. 
  7. Add 1-2 teaspoons of condensed milk to the bottom of the cup. Slowly add more for a sweeter taste. Make sure to stir so fully dissolved. For Cà Phê Sữa Nóng, stop here! 
  8. For iced coffee, let it cool off a bit then pour the brew into a glass filled with ice. 

Where To Try

Name: Binh’s Caphe (DaNang, VN)
Address: 152 D. Đình Nghệ, An Hải Bắc, Sơn Trà, Đà Nẵng 550000, Vietnam
Phone: +84 91 353 21 79
Facebook: @BinhsCaphe
Website: trungnguyenlegend.com

 
Name: The Note (Hanoi, VN)
Address: 64 Lương Văn Can, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Phone: +84 97 519 44 66
Facebook: @TheNoteCoffee
Website: thenotecoffee.business.site
Cà Phê Trứng - Vietnamese Egg Coffee (from Hanoi)

 


Rich, sweet, and creamy flavors in your morning cup.

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp coffee (for bolder taste recipe over ice, add 2 more tsp)
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 tsp condensed milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract (Optional to taste)

Instructions

  1. Start by boiling some water. Tip: using an electric kettle makes it a lot faster
  2. Preheat the filter (phin) and cup by pouring a bit of boiling water through it.
  3. Remove the metal filter and pour in 1 heaping tablespoon of coffee. Tip: Double coffee amount if you want a bolder flavor
  4. Twist the filter on gently until it just starts to stop. Then turn it a little more, a bit less than 1/8 a turn.
  5. Pour a tiny bit of water in the filter just to wet the grind and to let the grind expand a bit (about 10-15 second). This will help rid of some small grinds that happen to make it through the filter. You can toss it out if you see any.
  6. Fill the filter all the way and let it drip. Ideal brewing time comes to about 3 to 5 minutes so adjust the filter accordingly. Place the cap on and watch the coffee drip! Too loose and you’ll just have runny brown water. Too tight and nothing will drip through. Tip: The filter will be hot, so use a fork, spoon or any other utensil to adjust the filter. 
  7. Crack and egg and discard of the egg white
  8. Whisk the condense milk, egg yolk and vanilla extract vigorously until you end up with a frothy, fluffy mixture. Add 1 tsp of the coffee to the mixture and continue to whisk.
  9. Pour the egg mixture on top of your brewed coffee.

Where To Try

Name: Cafe Giảng (Hanoi, VN)
Address: 39 Nguyễn Hữu Huân, Hàng Bạc, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Phone: +84 98 989 22 98
Facebook: @cafegiang.vn
Website: cafegiang.vn

Cà Phê Dừa (Cà Phê Cốt Dừa) - Coconut Coffee

 


Fatty and fresh flavors to refresh your regular brew.

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp coffee (for bolder taste recipe over ice, add 2 more tsp)
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • ⅓ cup coconut milk
  • 1 tsp condensed milk

Instructions

  1. Start by boiling some water. Tip: using an electric kettle makes it a lot faster
  2. Preheat the filter (phin) and cup by pouring a bit of boiling water through it.
  3. Remove the metal filter and pour in 1 heaping tablespoon of coffee. Tip: Double coffee amount if you want a bolder flavor
  4. Twist the filter on gently until it just starts to stop. Then turn it a little more, a bit less than 1/8 a turn.
  5. Pour a tiny bit of water in the filter just to wet the grind and to let the grind expand a bit (about 10-15 second). This will help rid of some small grinds that happen to make it through the filter. You can toss it out if you see any.
  6. Fill the filter all the way and let it drip. Ideal brewing time comes to about 3 to 5 minutes so adjust the filter accordingly. Place the cap on and watch the coffee drip! Too loose and you’ll just have runny brown water. Too tight and nothing will drip through. Tip: The filter will be hot, so use a fork, spoon or any other utensil to adjust the filter. 
  7. Mix coconut milk and condensed milk together and whisk over low-medium heat (until bubbling), then turn off heat
  8. Pour mixture into a glass with a lid and shake vigorously (optional for a more blended taste)
  9. Pour the coffee over the mixture and serve.

Where To Try

Name: Cộng Cà Phê (Hanoi, VN)
Address: 129 Bùi Viện, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Phone: +84 91 181 11 45
Facebook: @CongCaphe
Website: congcaphe.com

Where to Try Them in Vietnam

While many cafes in Vietnam serve signature Vietnamese coffee, below are five (2 in Hanoi, 1 in Danang, and 2 in Ho Chi Minh City) locations that have delicious specialties such as Cà Phê Dừa or Cà Phê Trứng. Click to interact with the map!

References

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