Sweet or Tangy: Two Ways to Enjoy Vietnamese Coffee with Bruvi

You’re probably seeing more Vietnamese coffee drinks showing up on cafe menus or in your social feeds. Typically sweetened with condensed milk to balance the intense flavor of Vietnamese coffee, these beverages may be served iced or hot. We love iced Vietnamese coffee for a delicious and indulgent treat either on a hot afternoon or as dessert.

With a rich and interesting history, traditional Vietnamese coffee requires a unique brewing method and Robusta coffee. Some will want to replicate the tradition at home but for those who are more convenience-minded (or simply can’t buy or store any more coffee equipment), we offer up recipes for making two favorite Vietnamese coffees with the Bruvi single-serve coffee system: Vietnamese iced coffee and Vietnamese yogurt coffee. 

Vietnamese Coffee Overview

Coffee was first introduced to Vietnam by the French during its 19th century Colonial period. Today, Vietnam is the second largest producer of coffee in the world, after Brazil. But in contrast to other coffee regions, about 90% of the coffee grown in Vietnam is Robusta, not Arabica.  Robusta is a hardy plant, able to grow in lower elevations. It’s also stronger, nuttier and darker than Arabica coffee. A quick digression: While the specialty coffee industry has long preferred Arabica coffee, more recently, some are discovering and experimenting with Robusta, especially as climate change impacts coffee production. 

Brewing Vietnamese Coffee

Making Vietnamese coffee requires a special drip filter, called a Phin filter (Phin Cà Phê). It’s made of stainless steel and sits on top of a glass. Coffee grounds are put into the body of the phin, a press is placed slightly on top and then a lid covers it all. Coffee drips out slowly into the cup, so it’s somewhere in between a pourover and a French press.  

The resulting coffee is strong, dark and intense - and typically combined with sweetened condensed milk, creating a balanced, yet bittersweet flavor. Doesn’t that sound delicious? 

Making Vietnamese Iced Coffee with Bruvi

If you want to enjoy Vietnamese iced coffee at home, Bruvi makes it simple. To replicate the intensity of traditionally brewed Vietnamese coffee, we recommend using a dark roast espresso B-Pod. 

Ingredients for one serving:

• 3 oz espresso  (we suggest Spellbinder Espresso Forte B-Pod)

• 2 ounces sweetened condensed milk 

• Ice 

Directions:

Brew the espresso B-Pod into a small cup

Pour 2 ounces of sweetened condensed milk into a tall glass 

Add the brewed espresso and stir

Add ice and enjoy!

Notes:

• If you prefer a stronger or milder flavor, experiment with the amount of espresso

• To serve a crowd, you can pre-brew the espresso and store in the refrigerator 

• For safety, never brew hot coffee or espresso directly into a glass filled with ice

• To enjoy as a hot beverage, use freshly brewed hot espresso and omit the ice

Go Tangy. Vietnamese Yogurt Coffee

If you’re looking to experiment a bit, try this combo of coffee and yogurt. Popular in Vietnam where it’s called cà phê sữa chua, it’s served either over ice or blended. Either way,  it offers a sweet-tangy-tart flavor and the nutritional benefits of yogurt. Note that Vietnamese yogurt includes, you guessed it, sweetened condensed milk. You can find Vietnamese yogurt at Asian markets or make it at home with an Instant pot. This recipe uses plain Greek yogurt as a substitute plus both whole and sweetened condensed milk, along with espresso brewed with Bruvi. If you’re looking for a convenient way to try this creamy combo, try it out.

Ingredients

• ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt

• 2-3 oz brewed espresso (we suggest Spellbinder Espresso Forte B-Pod)

• 2 Tbsp whole milk

• 2 tsp sweetened condensed milk

• Crushed ice 

Directions

Using a tall glass, add the yogurt, whole milk and condensed milk. Stir until well combined.

Add the crushed ice. Pour the brewed espresso over the top and stir. 

Adjust the proportions of coffee, yogurt and milk to your desired taste. You can also blend it into a smoothie. Either way, enjoy the delicious sweet tanginess.

For more iced coffee recipes, you might want to try an Iced Coconut Water Americano or any of these refreshing options.