Why isn't Vietnamese iced coffee (cà phê đá) more popular?

[ipsedixit]

You see all those folks choking down Starbucks iced cappuccino, lattes, etc., and you wonder why the most potent of iced caffeine drinks isn't more popular?

When is Starbucks going to be doing their version of Vietnamese Iced Coffee. Maybe they can call it the "Starbucks phê đá"

[Maximilien]

The last time I've had some, they were prepared in small drip coffee "thingy" and took a while to be prepared, so it is not really practical for the rushed people...

[Duppie]

The brewer "thingy" is traditional and it can run quite slowly but you can speed it up by loosening the top screw with the cover or if you're in a real hurry...take the cover off,create a airtight seal with the palm of your hand and press slowly down forcing the water through the coffee faster.It's going to get hot...or just let it be and enjoy the anticipation.

[cheesemaestro]

True, but there's very little work for the barista or server. It takes longer to make an espresso or other more complicated beverages than it does to prepare the cup and filter for a Vietnamese coffee. Most of the time is spent waiting for the water to drip slowly into the cup. I just think that there isn't enough demand for it outside of Vietnamese restaurants for Starbucks or other coffeehouses to justify offering it.

A summer coffee concoction that I wish were more widely available is granita di caffè. It's made with shaved or granulated ice, sugar and espresso or strong coffee and topped with whipped cream. It's sort of like a coffee slushie, although much, much better. You can find it at cafés in Italy and occasionally at Italian cafés in the US.

[babette feasts]

Some of the pho shops I've been to do brew it to order and give you the hot coffee with a glass of ice, but many pho shops and most delis have pre-brewed coffee (and often the SCM) set up in to-go cups and they just add ice. For fast and convenient, go to the delis, not the restaurants.

[prima]

I've found any Vietnamese Iced Coffees I've tried to be sickly sweet.

I much prefer frappes (Greek Iced Coffee), which can be ordered unsweetened (sketo), medium (metrio) or sweet (glyko), with or without milk. Also more potent than the Starbucks iced coffees.

[HillJ]

You can adjust the sweetness to your liking, like any cup of coffee though. I drink my morning cup black. I also love a good Greek cup of iced coffee and black with a slice of lemon. So, it's all good. Don't let the sweetness stop you-adjust it! :)

[prima]

Oh- that's good to know. Thanks ;-) There was a thread on the Toronto board, and I'd asked whether it's possible to get it less sweet, half sweet or unsweetened Vietnamese Iced Coffee at Vietnamese restaurants in TO, and it seemed most places serve it automatically sweet, without any adjustment option. It wasn't clear (to me) that the sweetness could be adjusted, beyond adding more ice!

[HillJ]

If I'm unfamiliar with how the restaurant makes their version, I ask the server for half the amount of sweetner (because I'd rather go less than more) when I order it. Of course this only works if they don't batch the entire mixture ahead of time; and only brew the coffee. But, yes, I would recommend asking ahead of ordering.

[ferret]

The usual practice is to use sweetened condensed milk, but you can certainly reduce the amount and add regular milk (or not). Thai coffee is similar but they add cardamom, in addition to the sweetened condensed milk.

[HillJ]

Good question! and in my area I would say reasons for the lack would include:
Unfamiliar with the beverage, unfamiliar with how delicious it is and unsure where to order it.
Plus, Vietnamese restaurants are still uncommon in many areas of the country too.

I more than make up for the lack in my circles; I drink my own brew of Vietnamese iced coffee pretty regularly.

[ipsedixit]

Odd isn't it.

Because Viet iced coffee is really like an iced latte on steroids, topped with some human growth hormone.

[HillJ]

And 100% better tasting!

[tastesgoodwhatisit]

The best Vietnamese iced coffee I've had is freshly brewed at the table, then poured over the ice. Delicious, but not really amenable to a Starbucks treatement, which would be either pre-brewed, or made from espresso.

[Duppie]

I agree, I personally like the ritual and the time to either reflect on the meal or converse with company. I think that is why the brewer drips so slowly... gives the drinker time to just take a breath.

[HillJ]

Absolutely, the entire gamut of coffee making rituals is a close 1st for why I dig all forms of coffee as much as I do. Same for a proper tea preparation.

Worth the wait!

[babette feasts]

To me, Viet iced coffee never seems as strong as any espresso drink. It'll pick me up for a little while, but I never get the jitters or a sleepless night from drinking one in the afternoon. I could use a little more HGH in mine!

[Duppie]

I think a certain unfamiliarity with the beverage is most likely.Everyone I've ever introduced to it loves it, Several Christmases ago we put together baskets containing the coffee brewer,a can each of Cafe Du Monde and condensed milk and a heavy bar glass. On the card we put the web address for Viet World Kitchen and the recipients are still brewing it today. Which reminds me ....with the heat wave we're having on the East Coast, a large Iced may be just the thing.

[HillJ]

Oh this heat is horrific, I can't wait to back to SantaB!
Duppie, have you ever tried product by:
http://www.vietnamese-coffee.com/coffee_indochine_shop.php

I make a Vietnamese ice pops out of the leftover brews to enjoy all summer too.

http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2008/07/...

[Duppie]

No. I've always made it with Cafe Du Monde simply because it's all I ever seen being used from Cali to NYC but thanks for the site. Any recommendations as to what blend?As to the pops....we never seem to have leftovers but I'll keep it in mind.

[HillJ]

Their Buon Me Thuot Special
$7.95 ground, 500g bag
also if you order take advantage of the free samples with purchase and the G7 Instant line is terrific too.

[Duppie]

I will... thanks again.