5 Easy Steps to Make Vietnamese Salted Coffee
If you’re a coffeeholic, you can’t miss out on Vietnamese salted coffee aka “cà phê muối”! The name may sound strange at first, but the flavor is no joke—it even received generous praise from CNN Travel.
Today, we’ll delve into the origin of salted coffee, discover the best places to enjoy it in Vietnam and share an easy-to-follow Vietnamese salted coffee recipe for you to make at home.
Let’s dive in!
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What is Vietnamese Salted Coffee?
Vietnamese salted coffee, also known as “Cà Phê Muối,” is a unique and flavorful caffeinated beverage made from two main ingredients: coffee (cà phê) and salt (muối).
Ground coffee beans are brewed using a phin, a traditional Vietnamese coffee filter. The brewed coffee is then mixed with salted cream and a little sweetened condensed milk creating a rich and creamy coffee with a distinct salty-sweet flavor.
In the picture, you can see that a cup of Vietnamese salted coffee has three layers: salted cream on top, black Robusta coffee in the middle, and a little condensed milk at the bottom. To fully enjoy the drink, stir the mixture well and add ice. Then, take a sip.
Why Adding Salt to Coffee?
The salt in Vietnamese salted coffee plays a vital role in achieving a balanced flavor profile. It counteracts the coffee’s bitterness, letting the sweetness of the condensed milk shine through.
By cutting through the acidity of the coffee, salt helps to reveal its natural sweetness. It can also reduce the bitterness of dark roasts and make them more palatable. The use of salt enhances the taste of the coffee cup overall, making it more appealing and enjoyable.
Is Salted Coffee Originally from Vietnam?
Many believe salted coffee originated in Vietnam, a country known for its robust coffee culture. However, the history of salted coffee can be traced back to other parts of the world, including Scandinavia and Eastern Europe.
In Northern Scandinavia, adding salt to brewed coffee is a popular practice while salted coffee is part of a wedding tradition in Turkey.
Furthermore, some stories tell that seafarers, including sailors and fishermen, made coffee with seawater during long sea voyages when fresh water was scarce.
According to the Interstate Druggist (USA), Dr. William C. Alpers added salt to coffee and sold it. He claimed that adding salt to coffee created a more delicate and refined flavor. As a result of this innovative discovery, his company experienced a significant increase in income.
In Vietnam, salted coffee originated in Hue and was invented by a couple named Ho Thi Thanh Huong and Tran Nguyen Huu Phong.
Ten years ago, they opened the first coffee shop selling Vietnamese salted coffee on the quiet Nguyen Luong Bang Street. Little did they know that this type of coffee would become incredibly popular with locals and spark a booming trend nationwide.
Source: CNN Travel
Millions of coffee shops around Vietnam have started adding “cà phê muối” to their menus, and the drink has quickly become a best seller. Even Starbucks branches in Vietnam have joined the salt coffee trend, creating their own Vietnamese salted coffee recipe.
Source: Starbucks Vietnam
Vietnamese Salted Coffee Recipe
Making Vietnamese salted coffee is a piece of cake with this easy recipe. Save this recipe to make tasty salted coffee at home!
- Tools for making coffee
- Cups
- Stirring spoons
- Coffee brewing (Vietnamese phin filter)
- An electric hand mixer
- Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of roasted ground coffee
- 2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk
- 90ml of hot water (95 Celcius degree)
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 10 ml of fresh milk
- 15ml whipping cream
- Instructions:
- Add the ground coffee to the phin filter (Vietnamese coffee filter) and press the powder down nicely, not too hard.
- Place the phin filter on top of a cup or mug. Pour a little hot water into the coffee phin filter and let the coffee powder expand. Wait for 2 minutes and pour the rest of the water into the phin filter and let the coffee drip through into the cup or mug.
- Add the salt, whipping cream, and fresh milk to another cup. Use the mixer to stir the mixture until dissolved and well combined to create a rich, salted cream.
- Add the condensed milk to the coffee, then top it with the salted cream.
- Mix well, add a few ice cubes, and enjoy your Vietnamese salted coffee!
Best Places for Salted Coffee in Vietnam
If you want to try authentic Vietnamese salted coffee, come to Hue! There are so many cafes serving nice slate coffee in a relaxing atmosphere.
- Cà Phê Muối (Original)
- Address 1: 10 Nguyễn Lương Bằng street, Hue City.
- Address 2: 142 Đặng Thái Thân Street, Hue City.
- Open time: 6h30 – 22h00.
- Tan Cafe
- Address 1: 14 Phạm Hồng Thái Street, Hue City.
- Address 2: 25 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai Street, Hue City.
- Open time: 6h00 – 22h00.
- DMZ Bar
- Address: 60 Lê Lợi Street, Hue City.
- Open time: 7h00 – 2h00
- Trốn Cafe
- Address: in the deep alley of 21 Lê Quý Đôn Street, Hue City.
- Open time: 7h00 – 00h00.
If you’re in Hanoi, Saigon, or Hoian and want to try salted coffee, here are the recommended places:
- In Hanoi: Hidden Gem Coffee, Gạt Tàn Coffee, Hanoi Coffee Culture, Cà phê Muối – RIZA, l.a.caphe – Cà Phê Muối vị HÀ NỘI
- In Hoian: Cà phê Muối Cô Anh, son Cafe Hoi An, Hoi An Coffee Hub, Uncle huan coffee, Buttercup by Rosie’s Cafe
- In HCMC: PỜ CAFÉ, Cà Phê Muối Chú Long, Tonkin Specialty Coffee, The Ghé Coffee
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Vietnamese salted coffee made easy! Use the recipe in this article and make tasty salted coffee for your family and friends! If you come to Vietnam, let us know and we’ll take you to the best coffee in town!
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Frequently Asked Questions
When shouldn’t you drink salted coffee?
You should avoid drinking salted coffee if you’re on a low-sodium diet, sensitive to caffeine, or need to monitor your blood pressure.
Can you make Vietnamese salted coffee using instant coffee?
Yes, you can. When using instant black coffee, you don’t need to use a filter or wait for the coffee powder to expand. Simply pour hot water into the coffee, then add condensed milk and salted cream. The flavor will be just as delicious.
Can you drink salted coffee if you are lactose intolerant?
Because Vietnamese salted coffee contains fresh milk, cream, and condensed milk, avoid drinking it if you are lactose intolerant. However, if you make the coffee at home, you can omit the cream and substitute the cow’s milk with fresh oat milk or almond milk.
3 Comments
Cole
This is exciting! Thanks for the great tip, Phoebe. I’m so keen on trying it when I come to Vietnam.
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