Vietnamese ice coffee with ice, also known as ka phe, is a traditional coffee recipe for this country. In its simplest form, cà phêđa is made from medium or coarsely ground dark Vietnamese coffee beans using a metal drip filter (phin cà phê). After adding hot water, the drip filter slowly drops drops of hot coffee into the cup. Then this finished beverage concentrate is quickly poured into a glass full of ice.
A popular way to drink it is cha-pa-si, a variation with ice and condensed milk. How to brew Vietnamese coffee of this kind? This is done by filling the coffee cup with 2-3 tablespoons or more sweetened condensed milk before pouring the concentrate from the drip filter.
Drink history
Coffee was imported to Vietnam in 1857 by the French Catholic priest as the only Coffea arabica tree. However, Vietnam did not become a major exporter of this grain until the post-war reforms. Currently, many coffee farms exist in the central part of the country.
Vietnam is currently the largest producer of Robusta, the second largest in the world. The drink was adopted with regional variations. Due to restrictions in the availability of fresh milk (since the dairy industry was still in its infancy), the French and Vietnamese began to use condensed sugar and dark roasted coffee.
How to make Vietnamese coffee? There are several different variations of the drink.
Egg
Some cafes in Vietnam, especially Hanoi, serve an egg drink called cà phê trứng. This drink is made from brewed coffee, egg yolk and condensed milk. It has a texture and taste similar to tiramisu or egnog.
Yogurt
Like coffee, yogurt was originally brought to Vietnam by the French and was accepted into local culinary traditions. It is served with a variety of fillings, from fresh mangoes to fermented rice, and even coffee. It may seem like a strange combination, but thick yogurt goes well with a small amount of this drink - just mix and drink this mixture slowly.
Coffee Smoothies
In recent years, this drink has even hit the smoothie. In popular juice cafes, you can find thick mixes of fresh fruits with light Vietnamese coffee, sometimes served with yogurt or cashew nuts. In Hanoi, be sure to try sinh to ca phe chuoi bo (coffee mixed with banana and avocado). In the city of Ho Chi Minh City, look for “synch to ca ap sapoche” in a cafe (mixed with sapodilla, tropical fruit with custard flavor). Both are tasty ways to get caffeine and vitamins at the same time.
How to cook yourself?
Vietnamese ice coffee is thick, rich and sweet. It has an intense aroma and pronounced taste. How to make Vietnamese coffee?
To make this drink, start by grinding the beans properly. Look for a variety of medium grinding. Some experts say that French roasting is better, but you can use any type of coffee. Do not forget that the fine powder will fall into the small holes of the coffee press and will be in your mug.
How to make Vietnamese coffee right? Use only condensed milk with sugar. Do not try to replace it with concentrated or cream. In addition, you will need a gadget such as a Vietnamese or French press. It is quite easy to use.
What proportions of ingredients do you need?
The recipe for coffee in Vietnamese requires the use of the following proportions of components:
- 3 tablespoons of coarse ground coffee;
- 1-3 tablespoons of condensed milk with sugar, depending on your preference;
- 180-240 ml of hot water close to the boiling point (amount depending on the desired coffee strength).
How to do it?
How to make Vietnamese coffee? Measure out 3 tablespoons of ground grains and evenly distribute them in the filter. Do not shake it or squeeze the powder, otherwise the coffee grounds will fall into the holes for the drink and clog them. Gently place the metal filter on top of the coffee. Pour the desired amount of condensed milk into a mug or heat-resistant glass.
Measure 180 ml of almost boiling water. Use 240 ml if you do not like a drink that is too strong. After placing the filter on the glass, pour two tablespoons of hot water into it and wait 5 seconds to let the coffee “bloom”. This is part of the brewing process when water releases CO 2 from the powder and the ground grains themselves swell. Then gently press the filter. This helps to reduce the speed of drops when using all the water, and also makes the drink more aromatic.
Thanks to these steps, you can achieve optimal cooking times. However, now slowly pour the remaining water into the filter, and the finished drink will begin to drip into your mug or glass. Wait about 5 minutes for all the liquid to spill. Remove the filter and mix so that the condensed milk is evenly distributed. To make ice coffee, cool the drink and add a few ice cubes to it.
A simple option with tapioca
Many prefer traditional Vietnamese iced coffee, and the addition of tapioca makes it a special treat, similar to a thick cocktail. You can make Vietnamese coffee even from an instant drink, although this is not authentic. However, this method significantly saves time and facilitates the cooking process. So, for such a version of ice coffee in Vietnamese with tapioca, you will need the following:
- half a glass of tapioca;
- 1/4 cup brown sugar;
- 2 teaspoons of instant coffee in granules;
- 2 tablespoons of condensed milk with sugar.
Bring five glasses of water to a boil. Add tapioca slowly and continue to simmer. Be sure to gently stir so that the tapioca does not stick to the bottom of the pan. Continue to boil for 15 minutes. Add brown sugar and cook for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. As soon as the water decreases in volume and you get a thick tapioca syrup, remove the pan from the heat, cover and leave for 25 minutes. The remaining syrup can be stored in a closed container in the refrigerator for several days.
To make Vietnamese ice coffee with tapioca, add 2 teaspoons of instant granules to a mug and pour half a glass of boiling water into it. Stir to dissolve the granules. Carefully add 2 tablespoons tablespoons of condensed milk and place until completely mixed. Put ice cubes to the brim in a mug. Hot liquid will begin to melt the ice, so add more if necessary to fill the tank. Add about a quarter cup of the prepared tapioca syrup and mix gently so that it sinks to the bottom of the mug.
How to drink Vietnamese tapioca coffee? Serve the mug with a large straw. The drink is drunk slowly, which allows you to feel its delicate taste.
Egg option
It is noted above that in Vietnam they prepare this drink with the addition of eggs. How to make such a variation? To do this, you will need:
- 1 egg
- 3 teaspoons coarsely ground coffee;
- 2 teaspoons of condensed milk;
- boiling water.
Brew a small cup of Vietnamese coffee as indicated in the classic recipe. Break the egg and completely separate the yolk.
Put the yolk and condensed milk with sugar in a small deep bowl and whisk vigorously until you get a frothy, airy mixture. Add a tablespoon of brewed coffee and whisk it with this mass. In a transparent coffee cup (this is recommended for aesthetics), pour the brewed black coffee, then add the beaten egg mixture on top.
Option with yogurt
This is another great version of Vietnamese iced coffee. This is a refreshing summer drink in which slightly sour yogurt perfectly complements rich dark coffee and the sweetness of condensed milk. For it you will need the following:
- 2 teaspoons coarsely ground Vietnamese or other coffee;
- 70 grams of ice cubes;
- 100 grams of sweetened yogurt;
- 1 teaspoon of condensed milk.
How to make Vietnamese coffee with yogurt? Place ground coffee on the bottom of the coffee filter, then place the top filter on top. Place the filter on top of a coffee cup or mug and pour 80 ml of boiling water into it. Leave for a few minutes, then completely fill it with boiling water and wait 4-5 minutes until the water begins to drip into the mug.
Place ice cubes in a tall glass and pour coffee. Add yogurt and condensed milk and stir.
Option with Avocado
This Vietnamese coffee and avocado drink is a simple treat, perfect for a hot summer day. Condensed milk helps reveal the richness of this fruit. The thick, pudding-like consistency of the cocktail allows you to enjoy it either through a thick straw or with a spoon. In total you will need:
- half ripe large avocado;
- a glass of chilled double Vietnamese coffee;
- half a glass of condensed milk;
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon of honey or sugar (optional);
- ice cubes;
- cinnamon or brown sugar.
Mash the avocado and add to the glass. The pulp should not be completely mashed - several large pieces will look completely normal. Add condensed milk and honey or sugar. Pour strong coffee and mix well. Add ice and decorate the drink with a sprinkle of cinnamon or brown sugar.