Coconut Coffee Vietnam – A Vietnamese Iced Coconut Coffee Recipe

Last updated on October 27th, 2023 at 17:37

If you have ever been to Vietnam, you will know of the three magic words “Coconut coffee Vietnam” are often used to order or when talking about the famous Vietnamese iced coconut coffee.

Locally it is called a Ca Phe Dua, a drink that delights your taste buds.

In this article we talk about the famous and delightful coconut frappé from the South East Asian nation.

Keep reading for a very easy-to-make recipe that you can make in the comfort of your home.

What Is Coconut Coffee? Coconut Coffee Vietnam Frappé Style Drink

Keeping it simple, coconut coffee is coconut-flavored coffee!

Coffee plays the main role and is still the main proponent and dominant flavor and has the coconut flavor added by using rich coconut milk.

It is a very fascinating coffee that has a typical coffee aroma with a taste of coconut added, thanks to the use of coconut milk.

In Vietnam, where the drink originates, Vietnamese coconut coffee is usually made with canned coconut milk and sweetened condensed coconut milk and has an unbeatable delicious taste which is thanks in kind to the two simple ingredients in coconut coffee.

It is a drink that is easy to find in the country, and thankfully it is very easy to make. When you ask for a Ca Phe Dua, the tasty Vietnamese coconut coffee, it is normally served as an iced coffee, frappé style.

Read: Where can I find coconut coffee?

Vietnamese Iced Coconut Coffee Recipe – Coconut Coffee Frappé

As I mentioned it is very easy to make Vietnamese coconut coffee, Ca Phe Dua, and while this drink can be enjoyed both as a hot coffee and as a cold coffee it is much more common to see it served as an ice-cold frappé style coffee due to the climate.

Let’s get into talking more about how to make this tasty delight.

Let’s Talk About The Coffee

There are a few options that you have when it comes to brewing your coffee. Way back in the day, it would be brewed following the traditional steps and making a traditional Vietnamese coffee, using the Ca Phe Phin method, which is an individualized Vietnamese coffee filter where the filter sits on your cup and drips away. It is a unique method of making filter coffee.

Due to the time taken, it is a good idea to brew your filter coffee in advance.

You can also use your French press. A French press is easy to use. Use a coffee to water ratio of 1:12, one part coffee and 12 parts water. 10 grams (0.33 Oz) of coffee and 120 ml (4 Oz) of water.

When you add the coffee grounds to your French press, ensure that it is a coarse, even grind size. Shake your French press on a flat surface to ensure an even distribution of your grounds. Add hot water, ensure that it is 96C (205F), an ideal brewing temperature.

Slowly pour your hot water over your coffee grounds until they are just covered in water and let your coffee bloom and degas for 20 – 25 seconds then slowly and evenly pour the rest of your hot water over your grounds.

Depress the plunger and ensure that it is just below the water line and stir gently.

Let your grounds brew for approximately 4 minutes. When your coffee is ready. Push the plunger down evenly until it reaches the bottom and decant into a cup of coffee and let it cool down.

If you don’t decant your coffee from your French press it will continue to brew and eventually become over brewed and overtly bitter.

Today, thanks in kind to the advances in brewing methods and the ease of availability of espresso machines, it is very common, in fact it is more common for Vietnamese coffee shops to brew a shot of espresso to make the coffee for this drink.

Read: Cacafe coconut coffee benefits

Making The Coconut Slushy

To make an awesome coconut slushy, you will need a high-quality blender. High speed blenders like a Vita-mix work best. You will notice a big difference when you use a high speed blender.

You will also notice a greater quality coconut slushy when your condensed milk and coconut milk are refrigerated.

There is also a notable difference in taste and consistency when you use canned coconut cream and not the carton based coconut milk. It’s thicker and of better quality.

Add 2 ounces (60 ml) of canned coconut cream and 2 ounces of sweetened condensed milk and ice to your blender. Blend until you have a smooth thick consistency.

Your coconut slushy should be free from chunks of ice.

Putting It All Together – Coconut Coffee Vietnam Recipe

Pull two shots of espresso into a tall glass and top with your coconut slushy. If you have a fancy glass or better still an insulated double walled glass, use that as it is a special drink and making it look great justifies it.

An insulated double walled glass will keep your drink cold for longer.

Coconut Coffee Calories

There are approximately 200 calories in a coconut coffee. This is good news if you are on a diet and counting your calories.

How Much Caffeine Is In Coconut Coffee?

A shot of espresso has on average 65 mg of caffeine. This excellent recipe has two shots and thus 130 mg of caffeine are in coconut coffee when you follow this recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions About Coconut Coffee Vietnam

Where Is Coconut Coffee From?

Coconut coffee originated in Vietnam and is available all over the country! You will have a harder time not finding coconut coffee in Vietnam. Traditionally, it is Ca Phe Phin, Vietnamese filter coffee that is used. Now it is more common to see a shot of espresso used. The coconut slushy is made with sweetened condensed milk, ice and coconut cream.

The coffee used is Vietnamese coffee of the robusta variety.

What Kind Of Coffee Do They Drink In Vietnam?

Coffee used in this South Eastern Asia nation is their home-grown strong robusta beans. A rather interesting coffee fact is that Vietnam is the world’s leading producer of Robusta coffee beans. This type of coffee bean has a reduced acidity, is more bitter and on average 2.2x more caffeine than Arabica coffee. They also have greater levels of antioxidants.

Read: Coconut coffee

Why Is Vietnam Coffee Good?

Yes, while Robusta coffee is usually less flavorful, the bean has 60% less fat and sugar than arabica beans, which makes them a smoother and bolder coffee. They also have a greater amount of antioxidant content, making them a healthier choice than Arabica beans.

Vietnam and coffee, is much more than the beans used they have one of the most unique and interesting coffee cultures in the world, it is like a coffee counter culture with their unique and fantastic coffee drinks that you will find anywhere in the world, from coconut coffee to a tasty egg coffee, Ca Phe Trung, which is somewhat like a tiramisu in a cup and then there is the fruit based coffee drinks like avocado coffee, banana coffee, strawberry coffee, durian coffee, orange coffee, and their yoghurt coffee, Oreos coffee, and tonic coffee.

What the Vietnamese do with their coffee by all means should not work, but it is absolutely fantastic, they do it brilliantly and above all…it works.

Is It Safe To Drink Coffee In Vietnam?

Yes, it is safe to drink coffee in Vietnam.

I lived in Vietnam for 3 years and had coffee once or twice per day, trying all kinds of coffee from various coffee shops in different towns and cities all over the country.

I tried a variety of brands of instant coffee, whole beans and ground whole bean coffee over the years. I’ve had no problem with their coffee and have not heard of anyone having a problem when drinking Vietnamese coffee.

Can You Add Coconut Water To Hot Coffee?

No, not really. Adding coconut water to coffee is something you can try, but it doesn’t get you the result that you are seeking, a full flavored coconut coffee. Coconut water, as refreshing and tasty as it is, it just doesn’t make a proper rich tasting cup of coconut coffee even when you make your entire coffee from coconut water and brew with it.

What Is Coconut Coffee In Vietnamese?

Coconut coffee in Vietnam, known locally as Cà phê dừa is a frozen coconut coffee beverage made with espresso, condensed milk and coconut cream.

Is Vietnamese Coconut Coffee Vegan?

No, Vietnamese coconut coffee is not vegan as it is made with a little sweetened condensed milk. You can request that it is made without condensed milk.

What Is Special About Vietnamese Coffee?

Due to the climate, soil quality and conditions in which Vietnamese coffee is cultivated, it had a nuttier and bolder flavor profile. But in Vietnam it is not the beans that stand out.

It’s entire coffee culture that is somewhat of a coffee counter culture and the amazing drinks that are unique to the country like ca phe trung, which is egg coffee and their tasty and healthy avocado coffee, yoghurt coffee and the very aromatic durian coffee.

Final Thoughts – Coconut Coffee Vietnam

Now that you know what coconut coffee Vietnam is all about and how to make their rather delicious and amazing frappé style drink you can go shopping, buy the ingredients and make it at home. 

I double dare you to make it at your next dinner party and serve it as a post-dinner treat with dessert. 

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