Robusta beans pack a powerful punch in Vietnamese coffee, often leaving first-time tourists shocked by its intense and bitter flavor. Many recount dizzying experiences after their inaugural cup.
British tourist Ben Maguire was blown away by the strength of Vietnamese coffee during a February solo trip to Ho Chi Minh City. He joked his robusta-fueled caffeine intake could “power a small city.”
Maguire had heard from friends that Vietnamese coffee was strong, so he tried a glass of black iced coffee on his first day in HCMC.
His reaction went viral on social media, gaining nearly 400,000 views and 15,000 interactions.
In his post, he humorously described the first sip as delicious, the second as soul-leaving-the-body strong, and by the third, he felt like he could start a business, run for president, and learn Vietnamese in 10 minutes.
Scores of travelers echoed Maguire, reminiscing about their own dizzying first brushes with Vietnamese coffee’s strength and laughing together.
Tourists Share Stories of Vietnamese Coffee's Dizzying Effects
Ingrid Baghag, a French tourist, compared the nuclear-level strength of Vietnamese coffee to being “hit by a caffeine bomb.”
Dickie Suzuki from Hong Kong was so overwhelmed by two glasses of ca phe sua da (iced milk coffee) he had to rush back to his hotel, spending three hours pacing to shake off the jitters.
David Poppinga, an American backpacker in Hanoi, recounted a similar experience. Two cups of egg coffee left him dazed for an entire day of wandering the Old Quarter.
As a regular coffee drinker, Maguire was caught off guard by the bold flavor and caffeinated strength of Vietnamese coffee.
He remarked, “Vietnamese coffee is no joke. It’s rich, strong, and shocking for first-timers.”
Maguire loved the ritual of the phin filter brewing method, saying it felt more like a ceremony than just making a simple drink. While in HCMC, he tried various brews, from iced black coffee to egg coffee and salty coffee.
He recalled leisurely sipping coffee on plastic stools along the bustling sidewalks, watching the city go by, saying it made the coffee taste even better.
Foreign Tourists Develop Taste for Strong Brew
This love for Vietnamese coffee’s strength is common among travelers.
Hilary Hilton, an American backpacker, confessed to missing the intense flavor of iced milk coffee after her trip, joking it was “not for the faint-hearted.”
In February 2022, TasteAtlas ranked iced milk coffee #2 among the world’s best coffees. Three other Vietnamese coffee styles - black iced, egg, and yogurt - also made the top 63 list.
According to Hanoi coffee shop owner Cuong Pham, the secret of Vietnamese coffee’s powerful flavor is the use of robusta beans, which contain twice the caffeine of arabica beans.
He explained that the coffee plant naturally produces more caffeine as a defense against pests. Robusta thrives in low-altitude regions prone to pests and generates more caffeine. Meanwhile, arabica grows in higher altitudes with fewer pests and less need for the chemical defense.
Cuong said most foreign tourists, accustomed to arabica’s mellower flavor, often find themselves dizzy and overwhelmed when they encounter bitter, potent robusta Vietnamese coffee.
To prevent an unpleasant jolt, he often blends robusta and arabica beans and adjusts the strength based on customers' preferences. The bold robusta flavor pairs well with sweet condensed milk and egg, while arabica's acidity would clash, he explained.
Tourists Gradually Build Up Tolerance
Over repeated trips to Vietnam, many tourists gradually build up a tolerance and even develop a taste for the locally loved robusta brews.
Some visitors become hooked after their first strong cup and seek out robusta blends to bring home. One enthusiast even managed to convince her local barista in Brooklyn to start importing and serving Vietnamese coffee.
Other fans have resorted to ordering robusta beans online when they can't find them locally. Some purists enroll in phin filter brewing classes to learn how to properly prepare cups of ca phe den (black coffee) at home.
Visitors looking to ease into Vietnamese coffee can ask for a 50/50 robusta and arabica blend, go for cafe sua (coffee with condensed milk), or try coconut coffee. The coconut milk tames the bitterness of the robusta in this unique local brew.
Starting slow and gradually increasing the robusta ratio helps tourists acclimate until they can handle a 100% full-strength cup of Vietnamese coffee.
FAQs: Surviving Your First Sip of Vietnamese Coffee
How strong is Vietnamese coffee compared to American coffee?
Vietnamese coffee is typically much stronger than American coffee because it’s brewed using nearly 100% robusta beans rather than arabica. Robusta beans contain about twice the caffeine of arabica and also have a more bitter, potent taste.
What should I know before trying Vietnamese coffee for the first time?
Know that the robusta beans deliver a very strong caffeine kick. Take the first few sips slowly to gauge the potency. Opt for milk or coconut coffee to gentle the robusta bitterness if it's too intense at first. Consider a 50/50 robusta-arabica blend to ease in.
Is Vietnamese coffee good for health?
In moderation, coffee can provide antioxidants and other health benefits. But excessive caffeine consumption can cause side effects like anxiety, insomnia, digestive issues, and faster heart rate in sensitive people. Limit caffeine, stay hydrated, and know your personal tolerance.
What is the most popular way to drink Vietnamese coffee?
Iced milk coffee or ca phe sua da is the most beloved preparation in Vietnam. It consists of dark roast robusta coffee individually dripped through a phin filter into a glass of ice, then mixed with sweetened condensed milk. The ice cools the drink without diluting the intensity.
What should I do if I feel dizzy after drinking Vietnamese coffee?
Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and flush out excess caffeine. Eat something substantial since caffeine can cause low blood sugar. Take a walk outdoors to get fresh air and gently work off the jitters. Know your personal caffeine limits and adjust the robusta strength next time.