426348 Mon Jul 30 19:14:43 -0700 2007 10 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 2795177 The Chowhound Team split this coffee tangent from a discussion on the L.A. board about Vietnamese sandwiches. Here's the original location: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/424462 * * * * * * * * * * * Hey Liu, I think the Vietnamese coffee is the stuff with chickory. It very dark, rich, and is probably sweetened with condensed milk. You might try the Chinese markets (again) in the coffee aisle. The ground coffee in the orange-ish cans with the rustic-looking label is what I believe is popular in the Vietnamese community. I was drinking the coffee in Malaysia and it reminds me alot of the Vietnamese coffee - dark and rich but not bitter, although the grounds are not as fine and I don't know if they use a press like they do in Viet Nam. Sun Jul 29 22:27:55 -0700 2007 64003 bulavinaka 1 2795244 This might do very well in our AeroPress -- do you think? Thanks, again and again, to you! You continue to add to my shopping list, and it's nice to know that a more accessible Chinese market might carry this delicious Vietnamese coffee! I will give a look... Sun Jul 29 23:32:32 -0700 2007 2795177 14014 liu 2 2795723 They definitely sell it in all 99 Ranch markets. It's called "Café du Monde" and it's the same stuff from New Orleans that you brew strong, mix in equal parts with hot milk (or half and half if you're being naughty), and add sugar... all you need is some beignets and the morning paper, and you're good to go. I've never used a press for ca phe sua da, only the metal cup-top filter (also available at 99 Ranch, for something like $2.79 or $3.49 or something). I'm too lazy to actually use the screw portion, so I bung the coffee grounds in there, tamp them down with a finger or a spoon, and then add boiling water to the top... repeat with the boiling water, and make sure you've got the sua (sweetened condensed milk) in the cup you're putting the coffee in, a glass of ice and a spoon, and you're good to go. Mon Jul 30 07:48:26 -0700 2007 2795244 10811 Das Ubergeek 3 2796062 Hello, Das Ubergeek -- and I'm so envious that you are closer than I am to the best banh mi in the city! Thanks for all this detail about Cafe du Monde (which I have enjoyed in New Orleans with a beignet or six). Also, you have made it much easier with the cup-top filter (I have a couple). I am looking forward to trying this to see how close I can get to Banh Mi Cho Cu until I actually get there; but I know that the coffee just won't be the same unless my mouth is burning from jalapenos! Mon Jul 30 09:18:14 -0700 2007 2795723 14014 liu 4 2798731 Link: http://www.cafedumonde.com/coffee.html Mon Jul 30 22:30:36 -0700 2007 2796062 10609 Cheese Boy 2 2798467 You read my mind about the AeroPress - I didn't want to be pushy about it - thought maybe the AeroPress might be off-limits to preground...! Mon Jul 30 20:11:38 -0700 2007 2795244 64003 bulavinaka 3 2798585 We have had nothing short of very impressive results with this simple, low-tech AeroPress. AND we have been using store-ground coffee in it -- with great results! (Whew -- I said it!!! I feel so much better!) I am not much of a coffee drinker (perhaps once every month or so on a weekend), and I really don't care for Starbucks, but we have been using Starbucks espresso (I don't know exactly which one because I am not the family coffee buyer-- not my department!) and the resulting AeroPress coffee is irresistible. Mon Jul 30 20:59:34 -0700 2007 2798467 14014 liu 1 2798533 I have heard really good things about a mail order Vietnamese coffee- google Trung Nyguen. The Cafe duMonde is good but can be a bit muddy. This other product I am told has various blends but approaches the chocolate not bitter taste that may adore. Mon Jul 30 20:38:39 -0700 2007 2795177 17682 torty 2 2798549 Vietnam is the worlds largest producer of coffee beans. Unfortunately it is also the lowest level of quality. Most of the beans grown and commercially sold is 100% Robusta. And not a high quality robusta at that. Mon Jul 30 20:45:55 -0700 2007 2798533 11003 chipman 3 2798619 My guess is that may be on of the reasons why they add chickory in the coffee as a standard... but the results are amazing... not everyone's cup of ... you know... but if this hits one's flavor range, it's legendary. Mon Jul 30 21:21:33 -0700 2007 2798549 64003 bulavinaka 1 2799113 Vietnamese coffee is mostly robusta. Tastes best when made using cheap tin cup-top filters from Vietnam. Tue Jul 31 06:30:10 -0700 2007 2795177 36661 Sam Fujisaka