Vietnamese coffee beans: Unveil different types for a specialty taste

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Find out the secret behind Vietnamese coffee beans (Source: Collected)

Exploring Vietnamese coffee beans is an exciting journey through the aromatic and robust ingredients that make up the country’s most popular drink – iced coffee. Each type has its own signature scent and taste, making each cup of coffee an exciting experience for all senses. Do you know how many types of coffee beans there are in Vietnam? Find out the answer in this article and learn the secret behind the delectable taste of Vietnamese coffee.

1. Vietnamese coffee beans and its cultural impression

It is virtually impossible to put the widespread influence of Vietnamese coffee beans into words. Coffee is more than a drink in the country; it is a culture and an indispensable aspect of the local lifestyle.

Despite being a trait inherited from abroad, coffee culture takes on a whole new appearance in Vietnam. It weaves its way into the morning routine of the working class, poses as a leisure activity for the youth in the evening, and lays dripping on a small table in front of a group of elderly people talking about the weather in the middle of the day.

Vietnamese coffee culture is one of the underrated appeals of the country’s tourism (Source: Collected)

You can find coffee in all walks of life and in every corner of the country. The incredible aroma and diverse taste notes of Vietnamese coffee beans play a huge role in elevating coffee to this coveted status.

In fact, Vietnamese coffee culture has transcended borders, with numerous foreigners passionately asking where to buy Vietnamese coffee beans for themselves after one small sip of the iconic drink. Furthermore, these products are the second-largest agricultural exports of the country, elevating them to a worldwide beloved delicacy.

>>> Find out more about Vietnamese iced coffee, Vietnam’s most popular beverage!

2. Robusta – the most common Vietnamese coffee beans

Vietnamese coffee beans’ reputation has garnered tremendous attention, especially related to their diversity.

The country’s coffee production reached an astounding 1.897 million tons in 2022. At the top of the ladder is Robusta, which makes up 90% of the staggering number, by far one of the best Vietnamese coffee beans.

Robusta is the marquee variation of coffee beans in Vietnam (Source: Collected)

So what makes Robusta that popular? The first aspect that comes to mind for Vietnamese coffee aficionados is Robusta’s compatibility with the country’s climate. Perfect at high altitudes, this type of coffee bean can easily be found in the Central Highlands region, namely Dak Lak and Gia Lai.

Its taste is also universally praised by Vietnamese people. Vietnamese Robusta coffee beans present a bold and earthy taste as well as a powerful kick, making them perfect for a cup of coffee to start the day. The nutty and acidic notes complete the interesting flavor profile, making Robusta the go-to choice for many people.

>>> Learn more about coffee and other trees in Vietnam!

3. Other Vietnamese coffee beans with distinctive features

Aside from Robusta, there are many other Vietnamese coffee beans available, each with their own unique origin, taste, and scent. Explore the options below to identify the best coffee beans for Vietnamese coffee.

3.1. Arabica coffee beans (ca phe che)

Vietnamese Arabica coffee beans are revered for their nuanced flavors and distinctive characteristics. In fact, there are four prominent types: Typica, Bourbon, Mocha, and Catimor. Let’s see how different they are from each other and how they fit into the diverse coffee culture of the country.

Arabica coffee beans are instrumental in the production of other variations (Source: Collected)

3.1.1. Typica coffee

Typica is a widely cultivated Arabica variety, primarily known for its balanced acidity and sweetness. The pleasant flavor profile features a mild taste enhanced by fruity notes, creating a taste that people cannot get enough of. Typica makes its way into various coffee blends, allowing it to mesh well with other grinds.

3.1.2. Bourbon coffee

Bourbon retains the overall sweet and sour taste but presents a more refined and elevated version of these flavor notes. This results in the grind being used in special blends, attracting the attention of coffee enthusiasts everywhere.

3.1.3. Mocha coffee

Aptly named for its delightful blend of sweetness and depth, Mocha captivates coffee lovers with its chocolatey undertones. The unique taste is accented by the natural earthiness of coffee, enhancing the coffee experience.

Mocha coffee beans offer deep and comforting flavors (Source: Collected)

3.1.4. Catimor coffee

Last but not least, Catimor brings together the distinctive traits of two prominent Vietnamese coffee beans: Arabica and Robusta. Being the best of both worlds, it captures the hearts of many coffee aficionados with a familiar yet unique taste.

3.2. Cherry coffee beans (ca phe mit)

Another noteworthy variant of Vietnamese coffee beans is cherry beans, or “jackfruit coffee” in Vietnamese. Earning the name thanks to various similarities to jackfruit, these beans are representatives of the sweeter side of Vietnamese coffee. Their rich and fruity undertones, reminiscent of cherries and jackfruit, coupled with the lack of bitterness, present coffee drinkers with a great option.

3.3. Peaberry coffee beans (ca phe culi)

Peaberry is a unique version of Vietnamese coffee beans differentiated by their shape. Instead of two halves, these Vietnamese coffee beans are single and round, which is believed to affect the flavors by making them more concentrated.

The unique shape of Peaberry coffee beans results in an enhanced taste (Source: Collected)

The name of this variation refers to the shape, so you can find a Peaberry variation of Arabica and Robusta, with the latter being more common in Vietnam. Additionally, Peaberry beans are quite rare, so be sure to take the opportunity to try coffee made from this variation if possible.

3.4. Elephant coffee beans (ca phe voi)

Although the origins of this variety of Vietnamese coffee beans are bizarre, they offer bold and tasty flavors. Elephant coffee beans come from the feces of these huge animals.

Arabica beans are mixed with other vegetables and fed to the elephants. After the elephants excrete them, they are properly cleaned and processed in accordance with rigid standards to produce consumable coffee beans.

The flavor of elephant coffee beans is as extraordinary as the production process. Every aspect of the original taste is amplified, making each sip of the coffee an interesting journey for your taste buds.

3.5. Weasel coffee beans (ca phe chon)

The same idea applies for weasel coffee beans as in the elephant variation. Weasels’ digestive system can chemically alter the coffee beans, giving them a more accented flavor profile that cannot be achieved otherwise. This version of Vietnamese coffee beans has little to no acidity, with enhanced earthy, nutty, and chocolatey undertones. Their limited supply also makes them higher in price, but they are no less sought-after than other coffee beans.

Sample the distinctive flavor of weasel coffee beans (Source: Collected)

>>> Check out other Vietnamese drinks that you may like!

4. Where to learn more about Vietnamese coffee beans?

There are numerous questions from foreigners when they have their first taste of Vietnamese coffee. How is Vietnamese coffee made? What grind for Vietnamese coffee is best? How to make Vietnamese coffee at home?

Take a trip to the home of coffee production to learn more about the culture (Source: Collected)

Fortunately, there are plenty of Vietnam travel tours designed specifically for the purpose of answering these questions. At the top of the list are Buon Ma Thuot coffee tours. This city is widely considered to be one of Vietnam’s coffee capitals. Here, you can witness the coffee production first-hand, participate in certain stages of the process, and most importantly, sample coffee at its peak.

What if you are traveling elsewhere? Various cafes around the country often host workshops where you can enjoy exquisite coffee from experts and get valuable answers to your questions.

Lastly, if you are looking for where to buy Vietnamese coffee beans, be sure to swing by the stores of the top brands in the country, naming Trung Nguyen, Kafi, Classic Coffee Vietnam, ALAMBÉ, VietCoffee, etc. These brands will not only bring you closer to Vietnamese coffee culture but also enhance your appreciation for this delicious drink.

Experience the best coffee in the country with these brands (Source: Collected)

>>> Explore other great options for Vietnam souvenirs besides Vietnamese coffee beans!

If you love Vietnamese coffee beans and their culture, chances are you will also love other aspects of Vietnam’s kaleidoscopic culture. To further indulge in the vibrancy of Vietnam, visit prominent destinations like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, etc.

For an immersive cultural experience, check out the VinWonders entertainment complexes like VinWonders Wave Park & Water Park, VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium, VinWonders Nam Hoi An, VinWonders Nha Trang, VinWonders Phu Quoc. Here, not only will you get to enjoy exciting games and shows, but you will also have the opportunity to experience Vietnamese culture in an unprecedented way.

VinWonders entertainment complexes will bring you an incredible cultural experience

>>> Book tickets of VinWonders Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Nam Hoi An, VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium and VinWonders Wave Park & Water Park to spice up your vacation!

Vietnamese coffee beans are considered to be in a league of their own for good reasons. They are diverse, aromatic, tasty, and produced with finesse and care. When in Vietnam, be sure to have a taste of this iconic beverage and dive deeper into what makes a small cup of coffee an international icon.