About Vietnamese Coffee & Tea

In 2015 I travelled the length of Vietnam from the cosmopolitan Ho Chi Min City in the South to the more acient feeling of Hanoi in the North.  On my journey I was able to experience the coffee and tea, literally, on every street corner.  I was surprised to find out that Vietnam is the second biggest producer of coffee in the world.  Brazil being the largest. 

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The Coffee

 

In Vietnam it is hard to miss the smell of coffee being brewed in a Phin.  This is a metal coffee filter which sits on top of your cup and the coffee slowly drips onto the condensed milk.  Alongside, you'll be given a glass of iced green tea to quench your thirst.  Once the coffee finishes dripping through your left to see a layer of white at the bottom of your glass cup with the black of the coffee sitting on the condensed milk.  You then give it a stir and have the option to add ice to your coffee to make what the locals call caphe sua da.

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Vietnam produces mainly the robusuta bean.  As the name suggests the robust nature of this bean means it can be grown at a lower altitude.  This bean has a high caffeine content and is quite bitter which is why the Vietnamese like to sweeten it with the condensed milk to take the edge off.

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However, I met Thuy, who worked for a cooperative of coffee farmers in Dalat.  On hearing her parents wanted to sell the family farm in Pleiku, which grew Robusta trees, she decided to quit her job and take over the farm.  Using her knowledge of producing Specialty Arabica, she has redefined how a farmer grows and processes Robusta in Vietnam.  You can read more about processing here.

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Vietnam is mainly known for its Robusta, 95% is this variety. the other being Arabica.

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The Arabica beans I sell are from a second generation family.  Ngoc's parents bought the farm from a French family in the 1930's.  It was the French that brought coffee trees to Vietnam.  Using only natural and sustainable farming methods this delicious coffee can be drunk as an espresso or through a phin filter without the need of the condensed milk.   

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But if you need milk and sugar in your milk then have condensed milk for a true cup of Vietnamesee coffee.

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The Tea

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In the South of Vietnam tea is mainly grown around Bao Loc which is also in the Central Highlands. The Oolong Tea is comes from this area.  The Tea is naturally grown, free from any pesticides.  

 

The Oolong tea started growing about 12 years ago.  They now have 40 acres and it takes 40 days to grow the leaves. Therefore, they have a team of workers who harvest an acre every day.  This is a cycle they keep repeating.  It is mainly exported to Taiwan where their insatiable thirst for Oolong Tea means they drink more than they can produce.  Thankfully, I have been able to get my hands on some to bring to England.  This is a really good quality Oolong full of flavour.

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If you go to Dalat you cannot help but notice the hill's covered in white tents.  Most of these farm's are sheltering artichokes. The Artichoke makes a deliscious tea.  I was hesitant to try it but pleased I did as it is a very refreshing tea and like the Oolong it also has many health benefits.

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I also have Flower Tea, which is a ball of Jasmine Tea which unfurls and turns into a wonderful flower when immersed in hot water. Watch a video when you click on the product in my shop.  Another Tea which is delicious is Pandan.  It's caffeine free and very refreshing.  It comes from dried Pandan leaves.

 

I hope you enjoy my products as I do myself everyday, be it a coffee in the morning or a tea in the afternoon.  It would be great to hear what you think so please share your thoughts on social media.

 

Brian