Vietnamese coffee, known for its unique blend of strong, robust coffee and sweet, creamy condensed milk, has grown in popularity worldwide. Whether you've tasted it at a café or are intrigued by the blend of contrasting flavors, making Vietnamese coffee at home is an easy and rewarding process. This article will walk you through the process step-by-step.

What You'll Need

1. Vietnamese coffee filter (Phin)
2. Dark-roast ground coffee (preferably Vietnamese)
3. Sweetened condensed milk
4. Boiling water
5. A glass or cup

Steps to Making Vietnamese Coffee

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

First, boil your water. While the water is boiling, pour about 2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk into your cup. The amount can be adjusted according to your taste.

Step 2: Assemble the Phin

Place the Phin on top of the glass or cup. Remove the top screen of the Phin, add about 2-3 tablespoons of ground coffee into the filter chamber, then gently shake it to distribute the coffee evenly.

Step 3: Begin Brewing

Place the top screen back on the coffee in the Phin, then pour a tiny bit of your boiling water into it—just enough to wet the coffee grounds. Let this sit for about 30 seconds. This pre-brewing process allows the coffee to bloom, enhancing the flavor.

Step 4: Continue Brewing

After the coffee has bloomed, fill up the Phin with the rest of the hot water. The coffee will begin to drip slowly into your cup, combining with the sweetened condensed milk. This process may take up to 5 minutes. Enjoy the moment and the aroma of brewing coffee.

Step 5: Stir and Enjoy

Once all the water has passed through the Phin and you're left with a cup of strong coffee and sweetened condensed milk, stir well to combine. Your Vietnamese coffee is now ready to be enjoyed.

For a traditional Vietnamese iced coffee (cà phê sữa đá), simply pour the hot coffee over a cup full of ice, stir, and serve.

Have you tried it yet?

Making Vietnamese coffee at home is a simple, rewarding process that brings a taste of Vietnamese culture right into your kitchen. The combination of strong, dark coffee and sweet, creamy condensed milk creates a rich and satisfying drink that is perfect for any time of the day. So grab your Phin, get brewing, and savor the unique delight of homemade Vietnamese coffee.