Under tropical conditions, it is a culinary refreshment that stimulates the mind and gets the circulation going: The “ Ca Phe Sua Da ” (the Vietnamese iced coffee (Vietnamese "Cà phê sūa đá") is enjoyed cold and prepared right at the table. This way, the taste is combined with a visual experience that you can completely immerse yourself in. Light, sugary condensed milk and deep, strong coffee mix drop by drop right before your eyes.
With increasingly high summer temperatures and a taste for special coffee experiences, Ca Phe Sua Da is also becoming established in this country. You can now enjoy this little delicacy comfortably on your own balcony and dream of the liveliness of Vietnamese street cafes, where Ca Phe Sua Da is part of everyday life.
You don't want to read the article at all, but want to jump straight to the iced coffee recipe? Then just click on the corresponding button to regular iced coffee recipe or the Ca Phe Sua Da , the Vietnamese iced coffee recipe .
Coffee in Vietnam – sweet variety with strong roast
Along with Brazil, Vietnam is one of the largest coffee producers in the world. The Vietnamese highlands offer ideal conditions for growing coffee. It is grown on small plantations between Buon me Thuo, Kontum and Da Lat . The drink has also become firmly established in the country. Unlike in Europe, the preparation is very varied and often seems exotic with yoghurt and egg.
The strong roasting gives the beans an intense, strong flavor that goes well with light acidity, sweetness or creamy caramel. Old traditions meet new forms that influence cultivation and processing.
Coffee cultivation in Vietnam
Coffee has been grown in Vietnam since the middle of the 19th century. Initially initiated by the French colonial rulers, an independent culture soon developed. Vietnam was known above all for Robusta coffee, which was processed into instant coffee or mixed with Arabica beans in blends. Today, coffee farmers in the country produce around 15 million sacks of coffee annually. The unit of measurement "sack" is the official quantity for coffee and corresponds to between 60 and 69 kg, depending on the country of origin. The term refers to the typical packaging, the jute sack.
Today, both Robusta and Arabica beans are grown, which are characterized by their full flavor and, above all, by the variety of roasting methods. You can find Bourbon, Moka and Typica, as well as excellent Robusta varieties such as the Culi Robusta, which only produces a single bean in the coffee cherry. Some of the beans are sun-dried and traditionally roasted over an open fire. Organic cultivation is also becoming increasingly popular. So it's worth looking for coffee from Vietnam and trying the various options.
Here you will find more Background knowledge about our Vietnamese coffee and further information about coffee cultivation .
Coffee specialties from Vietnam – Ca Phe Sua Nong & Ca Phe Sua Da
Coffee belongs next to Green tea one of the most common drinks in Vietnam. It is usually not served with meals, but rather drunk separately. The preparation is different from that used in Europe and offers new taste experiences.
Ca Phe Sua Nong is a hot (condensed) milk coffee, its cold variant is the Ca Phe Sua Da . For both, a Hand filter, the Phin used, so that they can only be prepared cup by cup. This not only determines the taste, but also gives the coffee its charm, which you have to take your time to enjoy.
Exotic with a touch of yoghurt or coconut milk
Unusual variations suit tropical temperatures. If you want to drink coffee in Hanoi or Da Nang, you can also enjoy fresh variations such as Ca Phe Sua Chua , a Coffee speciality with condensed milk and yoghurt , or a Bac Xiu with coconut milk The Ca phe trung , a coffee with beaten egg yolk that tastes wonderfully creamy and caramelly.
The trick is the coarse grind of the coffee in the Phin, which does not bring out the bitter substances and thus creates a special taste experience. The type of roasting and the additives used - such as Bretel butter or rum - come to the fore in terms of taste.
Filter coffee with a difference
Coffee beyond the barista machine? In Vietnam, people are fond of the Slow Coffees . If you order a coffee, you get a cup, filter and hot water. You prepare the brew yourself and it becomes an experience in itself.
Many people know and love making coffee with the Italian espresso maker or the French press. The hand filter is also still known to some and coffee enthusiasts appreciate it. Equipped with a coffee filter and around 9 tablespoons of ground coffee beans in a 1-liter pot, the coffee is slowly poured over with water. The Carlsbad pot, which works with a porcelain filter, follows a similar principle.
With the Phin at the table – slowing down and enjoying
In Vietnam, the filter is called Phin and is made of metal (usually stainless steel). An additional paper filter is not necessary, as the Phin is placed directly on the cup. The Phin is filled according to size (usually 2 teaspoons of coarsely ground beans are enough), then the sieve is placed over it. By the way, you can also find the Phin here in our shop .
The coffee is poured in so that it can swell a little. Then you pour in the remaining water and wait until it has run through. This takes two to three minutes at the most. You can put the sweet condensed milk in the filter or in the coffee cup so that the dripping coffee creates a beautiful picture. The spectacle is particularly effective in transparent glasses.
More about Preparation and origin of Vietnamese coffee can be found here .
Vietnamese Iced coffee – the alternative in summer
On a hot summer day, it is one of the most popular pleasures: iced coffee. It comes in a wide variety of varieties and flavors. Opulent with cool Arabica, vanilla ice cream and whipped cream, or more minimalist and less sweet with a simple milk ice cream. If you like it stronger, use espresso with Robusta.
A vegan version is made with soy milk and vanilla extract. You can also use simple ice cubes. This saves calories and is less sweet. The quality of the coffee should not be overlooked, because Vietnamese iced coffee tastes best with freshly ground beans.
Iced coffee recipe: This is how it is made, the iced coffee for connoisseurs
You can create your own iced coffee in a maximum of 10 minutes (plus cooling time). You will need:
- 7 grams of coffee beans
- 200 ml water
- 1 to 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream to taste
- Cocoa powder, chocolate sprinkles, brittle or syrup as topping
- Sugar and milk as desired.
- Grinding the coffee beans
- Pour hot water over
- Allow to cool to room temperature
- Continue cooling in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Pour vanilla ice cream into the glass
- Pour in the iced coffee
- Apply the icing
- Decorate with cocoa powder, chocolate sprinkles, brittle or syrup
If you like your coffee sweeter, you can season it with sugar and milk beforehand.
Ca Phe Sua Da – iced coffee from Vietnam
The Vietnamese version is a little different. It is visually and tastefully enchanting. The drink is characterized by its lightness and stimulating, refreshing effect. Unlike in Europe, only ice cubes are used. Vietnamese iced coffee therefore has significantly fewer calories.
The Ca Phe Sua Da gets its sweetness and creaminess from the condensed milk. The recipe is easier and quicker to make because it doesn't need to be cooled separately, saving time. The use of condensed milk has historical reasons: in the heat, the milk spoiled quickly due to a lack of cooling options. The sweetened, preserved version, on the other hand, kept well even in tropical temperatures.
Vietnamese Iced Coffee Recipe: Homemade Ca Phe Sua Da
Needed time: approx. 10 minutes
The preparation is very simple. You need a phin and a glass as well as
7 g coffee beans, condensed milk, ice cubes (also in decorative form or as crushed ice).
1. Grind the coffee fresh
It is best not to choose a grind that is too fine.
Here you can find more Information about the grinding level .
2. Add condensed milk and ice
Fill the glass with ice (up to the rim for the crushed version)
Add condensed milk to the ice cream (fill about a quarter of the glass)
3. Place Phin filled with coffee and pour water
Boil water, then pour in.
Wait briefly until the coffee has swelled (approx. 30 seconds), then pour in completely
4. Coffee drips into the glass within 2 to 3 minutes
The time varies depending on the degree of grinding.
As soon as the water has completely run through, the coffee is ready
5. Remove the phin, stir and the Ca Phe Sua Da
Homemade Vietnamese iced coffee.
The procedure is impressive. If several glasses are to be filled at the same time, several Phins are needed. After the coffee has completely run through, it can be stirred or the Ca Phe Sua Da can simply be served as it is.
Experience coffee culture: Culi Robusta & Co
In Vietnam, you will find a constantly evolving coffee culture that has surprising things to offer in terms of cultivation and preparation. It is mainly the small plantations that experiment with varieties and roasts. This is what makes the offering so rich.
Arabica in various forms can also be found. The manual picking, drying in the sun and the individual roasting variants characterize coffee from Vietnam. Traditional roasting over an open fire, gentle drum roasting and additives that preserve the beans - these are all important aspects and characteristics that give the coffee beans a radiant appearance and turn them into taste highlights after grinding at home.
Best freshly ground
Freshly ground coffee offers the greatest enjoyment. Even during the grinding process, the aroma of the beans fills the room. The taste also depends on the degree of grinding. For a Ca Phe Sua Da, the beans should be ground medium-fine. This is the best way to prepare the coffee and to get the full flavor.
Together with the sweetened condensed milk, it creates a caramelly, nutty note with a hint of dark chocolate. The crushed ice gives the drink the cool lightness that you long for on hot days. This makes the Ca Phe Sua Da a stimulating thirst quencher that has every chance of becoming your favorite summer drink.
