Did you know that Vietnam is the world’s second largest producer of coffee? First brought over by the French colonists in the 19th century, coffee has become synonymous with Vietnamese culture and way of life.
But what exactly is Vietnamese coffee? And what makes it different and special from any other coffee in the world? We’ll break down the history, culture, and application of Vietnamese coffee here.
Vietnamese coffee can refer to one of two things: coffee beans that are grown in Vietnam like ours, but also the style and preparation, namely including sweetened condensed milk, the Phin drip method and/or very strong coffee.
We here at Phin Coffee strive to expand the understanding of Vietnamese coffee and bring diversity to Australia’s coffee culture. We celebrate Vietnamese coffee as a bean and its potential to be enjoyed in a wide range of brew methods and drink recipes.
Traditionally prepared with a darker roast brewed using a Phin filter, the coffee served hot or over ice to create a deliciously sweet and refreshing beverage that’s perfect for Vietnam’s sweltering humidity. This drink, called cà phê sữa (or cà phê sữa đá, with ice), is a staple throughout the country—found on every street corner and consumed all day long. View our brew guide here to make this at home.
Vietnamese coffee is a way of life. In Vietnam, coffee is all about taking time out of your day to enjoy the deliciously caffeinated beverage with friends and family.
By the end of the 19th century, the French had created a very successful coffee agricultural industry in Vietnam. Given the country’s rich, volcanic soils and tropical climate, the region was home to countless microclimates perfect for growing both milder, fruitier Arabica and darker, bolder Robusta coffee beans. Vietnam’s coffee industry became a global force in the mid-1900s, when Vietnamese growers expanded their production and created serious commercial processing plants.
Today, Vietnam is the world’s second largest producer of coffee overall, with the majority of that output being Robusta beans.
At Phin Coffee, we directly source our premium beans from coffee farms in Vietnam's Central Highlands. We strive to build long-term relationships from origin to cup, with the aim to help build a sustainable future for all. Our Signature Blend celebrates the nostalgic bold, chocolatey and nutty notes of premium Robusta beans while perfectly blending in the fruitness of Arabica beans.
As Vietnamese-Australians, we are determined to bring diversity, inclusion to the coffee culture and change the narrative of Vietnamese Coffee.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions about Vietnamese coffee. Join us as we embark on a journey from Vietnam to Australia!
