American newspapers praise Vietnamese salted coffee

One of the famous coffee flavors first mentioned by a famous American news agency is salted coffee. The much-loved drink was born in a small, simply decorated coffee shop in Hue city called Salt Coffee.

Co-owners Ho Thi Thanh Huong and Tran Nguyen Huu Phong shared with us at the end of June. CNN created this drink in 2010, consisting of condensed milk, salt, black coffee and a cream mixture on top to reduce the bitterness of the coffee and balance the sweetness of the milk. The purpose of the two owners when opening the shop was to create a strange drink to attract customers. They succeeded with salt coffee. The shop owner said that Hue people have the habit of drinking black or brown coffee, so salt coffee is considered a strange drink.

“We are really grateful to the first customers who are willing to try this strange drink and give us feedback so we can complete the flavor,” said the owner.

Salt coffee is now a favorite drink across Vietnam. Even the Vietnamese branch of the global coffee brand has joined the salt coffee wave, launching its own version in May.

Vietnam is not the only country that adds salt to coffee. In 2023, American culinary website Bon Appetit suggests that people should add salt to drinks to reduce bitterness and increase flavor. This tradition of giving salt also dates back hundreds of years in countries such as Türkiye, Hungary, Siberia.

Vietnam mainly grows Robusta coffee, and is the second largest coffee exporter in the world after Brazil. Salted coffee is popular in shops in Hue and Vietnam today, which is not surprising because before that, coffee was people’s favorite drink.

Traditional Vietnamese coffee is brewed with a filter and then placed on a cup or pot. Many people like to drink it with condensed milk, some people just add ice. In addition to salted coffee, before that, Vietnamese coffee was also known to many international customers for egg coffee, coconut coffee, yogurt mixed with iced coffee or smoothie coffee.

According to a report by global market research agency Mintel published in 2023, diners outside Asia are increasingly interested in new coffee experiences and flavors, with 71% of Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2012) interviewed by Mintel saying “they want to try Asian coffee like Vietnamese coffee”.

In the US, 7 Leaves Café, a coffee chain selling Vietnamese drinks, has expanded to more than 40 branches across the US after opening its first location in 2011, showing the love and popularity of Vietnamese coffee in the country. outside. In London, England, places like Caphe House offer many types of Vietnamese coffee to diners, including egg coffee.

Back in Hue, Huong and Phong of Coffee Muoi said most customers choose salted coffee even though the menu has many other dishes such as salted lemon – a handmade lemonade with salted lemon jam. Both have opened a second branch in Hue.

“We are happy and proud to make a drink that is loved by many people, even considered a Hue specialty,” said the owner.