Even though Vietnamese coffee boasts a deliciously rich and sweet taste that matches a multitude of other coffee varieties, it doesn’t hold much recognition worldwide. As a result, only a small number of people globally enjoy this coffee type on a regular basis, mostly due to its lesser-known standing.
However, with time, Vietnamese coffee is also becoming popular because of its taste and caffeine content. Most coffee lovers who want to try the Vietnamese version of the coffee want to prepare it at home.
If you also do not know how to make Vietnamese coffee, do not worry because we will help you with this article. Here, you will find the guide to prepare this delicious beverage at home, and you will also learn about its benefits.
Ingredients Needed to Make Vietnamese Coffee
The ingredients required to prepare Vietnamese coffee are different from other types of coffees available. Following are the ingredients that you should have if you want to make Vietnamese coffee at your home.
- Vietnamese ground coffee
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Warm water
Steps To Make Vietnamese Coffee
By reading these step-by-step instructions, you will be able to prepare Vietnamese coffee at your home with ease.
Step 1: Put Coffee in Filter
The first step you will need to do is to put the coffee in the filter. You can use the Vietnamese coffee filter for this process. Before using the filter, try to fit all its elements together.
After that, you will require measuring the coffee that you need to add to the filter. Take 3 rounded tablespoons of the coffee and put it in the filter. If you want to prepare Vietnamese for more people, then try adding more tablespoons of coffee.
After adding the coffee to the filter, spread it evenly and screen the top screen of the filter. Make sure to remove the top screen of the filter to get the desired outcome. Remember not to tighten the top screen too much.
If you notice water dripping through the top screen even after tightening it, it is a sign that the top screen is not adjusted well. Adjust the top screen correctly so that water does not drip.
Step 2: Warm the Cup
This is an optional step, but you can get a delicious cup of coffee quickly and effectively if you do it. While brewing the Vietnamese coffee, the loss of heat occurs, due to which your coffee can get tepid when it is ready.
Therefore, if you want a nice and hot cup of Vietnamese coffee, you should preheat the cup or mug. Other than heating the cup, you can use heatproof glass. The heatproof glass minimizes heat loss and helps you enjoy a hot coffee for an extended duration.
For this step, you will need to fill the cup with hot water and keep it there for a few minutes. Once the cup gets hot, you can flush the water away. Though this process is quite simple, it will help you enjoy a delicious and hot coffee.
Step 3: Add Sweetened Condensed Milk to the Cup
After preheating the cup, you will require adding sweetened condensed milk into it. You can add the desired amount of sweetened condensed milk as per your requirement. If you want to prepare more cups of Vietnamese coffee, then try using more sweetened condensed milk.
Adding more sweetened condensed milk to the coffee will enhance the sweetness in coffee. If you want your drink to be both creamier and sweeter, try adding 2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk.
In contrast, the 3 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk will result in a drink with a taste similar to caramel coffee candy. Do not add more tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk.
If possible, add the sweetened condensed milk to the glass, which is visible from the outside. Such a glass will help you know the speed of liquid dripping through the filter. By knowing the speed, you will be able to adjust it according to the need.
Step 4: Measure the Hot Water
Adding cold water to the condensed milk will not give the result you want. If you want your Vietnamese drink to taste better, then you should add hot water to it. Also, measure the hot water and ensure that its temperature is around 195- and 205-degrees Fahrenheit.
If you want more precise results, you can use a kitchen thermometer for this task. For heating the water, you can use a kettle. Take the desired amount of water and put it in the kettle.
After that, you will need to heat the kettle for a few minutes. After heating, you can take the required quantity of water from the kettle. The amount of water to use depends on the result you want.
If you want a strong flavor, try using less quantity of water. 6 fluid ounces of water will be enough to prepare a strong flavor of Vietnamese coffee.
On the other hand, if you do not like strong coffee, you should increase the water quality. You can also try a few other combinations to discover the best taste for you.
Step 5: Add Hot Water to the Filter
After measuring and deciding the amount of hot water you want, take it and put it in the filter. On adding the hot water to the coffee ground through the filter, the carbon dioxide present will be released, also called blooming the coffee.
This release of carbon dioxide will enhance the aroma and flavor of the drink. You can also use French roast coffee as coffee grounds. Further, remember to put the filter on the top of the cup with condensed milk.
Try not to add more quantity of hot water initially. It would be best if you first tried adding two tablespoons of hot water. After adding hot water to the filter, make sure to wait for a few seconds.
After waiting for 5 to 10 seconds, you will begin noticing the blooming process. Besides, many experts recommend that you should press down the filter gently after adding water.
Pressing the filter will let you compress the coffee, which will result in a slow drip rate. Apart from a slow drip rate, it will also boost the drink’s taste. Remember not to apply a lot of force while pressing down the filter.
Step 6: Add Remaining Water into Filter
In the previous step, we only added 2 tablespoons of water into the filter. After that, you will further require to pour the remaining water into the filter. Make sure to pour the water slowly and steadily into the filter.
Once you have poured the remaining water, put a lid on the filter. You will have to wait for a few minutes so that the coffee drips into the glass. Coffee will take around 3 to 5 minutes to get into the glass completely.
During this process, you should not rush because it can damage the taste. If you want a better taste, make sure to execute this step slowly. If you notice that the coffee is dripping quickly, you should try adjusting the pace.
You can alter the tightness of the press, which will help you minimize the dripping speed. Ensure that the press does not get too tight. A too-tight press will slow the dripping speed of dripping too much. Further, if you want to add ice to your coffee, you can also do that as per your choice.
Step 7: Remove the Filter
The other step that you will need to do is to remove the filter. After removing the filter, you will require stirring the coffee into the condensed milk. Remember only to remove the filter once the coffee has finished dripping.
Removing the filter before time will not give you a delicious Vietnamese coffee, due to which you should be cautious with it. Be extra careful while performing this step because many beginners usually end up causing mess on their countertop while executing this step.
If you have used heatproof glass, you will notice multiple distinct layers. You will have to mix these layers with a spoon. After that, your Vietnamese coffee will be ready.
Step 8: Add Fish Sauce
Before letting you know more about this step, let me clarify that it is an optional step. If you do not like the idea of adding fish sauce into your coffee, you can avoid this step. However, here we are only talking about adding a small quantity of fish sauce.
The idea of using fish sauce comes from coffee shops in Vietnam. Many coffee stores in Vietnam do add a very small amount of fish sauce to the coffee. If you want to try this step, then make sure only to add a small amount of fish sauce.
Adding fish sauce in greater quantities may damage the taste of your Vietnamese coffee, which you will never want. After using the fish sauce, make sure to stir it so that it gets completely mixed with the coffee.
The fish sauce has a salty taste that will minimize the bitterness of the coffee. Because of this sauce, you will enjoy a smoother flavor. However, if you do not like the idea, you can skip it.
Step 9: Add Coffee Over Ice Cubes
Adding coffee over ice cubes is another optional step that you can try to experience a new flavor of the drink. You will get a delicious Vietnamese iced coffee by mixing the coffee mixture with ice cubes.
Some people usually include the ice cubes with the coffee and condensed milk after mixing. However, we recommend adding the coffee mixture in a separate glass filled with ice cubes. By doing this, you will get a drink with a unique and delicious taste.
Step 10: Add Different Variations
Like Vietnamese people, you can also experiment with different variations with your Vietnamese coffee. There are various ways one can use to serve this drink to give it a better twist. A few Vietnamese coffee lovers even add an egg yolk to their coffee, resulting in an egg coffee.
On the other hand, some people even prefer drinking a yogurt coffee containing thick creamy yogurt as a serving. With the thick yogurt, you can even use different fresh fruit if you want.
The yogurt will work similarly to the condensed milk. Just like the condensed milk, it will minimize the bitterness of the coffee and enhance the sweetness. Some Vietnamese also use bananas and avocados with the coffee blend.
These variations are endless, so it is up to you which variation you want to add with your Vietnamese coffee. However, you should not worry about the taste while trying these variations. Further, the cafe du monde or café du monde coffee is also quite popular.
Make Vietnamese Iced Coffee Using Espresso
If you have ever visited any coffee shop to try Vietnamese coffee, you might have noticed that some shops usually use espresso shots to prepare this drink. However, it is up to you whether you want to make Vietnamese coffee using the traditional slow filter method or with the help of espresso.
Both these approaches will help you attain the delicious taste if you follow them correctly. If you use the classic coffee filter method, you will have to wait for a few minutes because it is a slow and time-consuming task.
On the other hand, using espresso will make this process a lot easier for you. Also, it does not require much time to prepare the Vietnamese iced coffee with espresso. After preparing the Vietnamese coffee with the espresso machine, you will have to add ice to it.
