Ho Chi Minh City: Coffee Culture Coffee ShiOk 胡志明市:咖啡文化, 咖啡 ShiOK

Coffee was first introduced to Vietnam in 1857 by the French. By the late 1990's, Vietnam has emerged as the world's SECOND coffee producer and exporter (after Brazil) accounting for 14.3% of the market share.

Drinking coffee is part of Vietnamese culture. Ho Chi Minh city has a vibrant coffee culture. There're many coffee shops with different themes; from humble street coffee shops to popular coffee chains like Trung Nguyen and Highland Coffee.

A local style coffee cafe is where you sip coffee, soak up the rhythms of the street and chat through the passage of time on mini tables and mini chairs.

The most expensiove coffee in the world - 'Weasel coffee' is an english translation of its Vietnamese name cà phê (coffee) Chồn (weasel) 

The weasels sniff and eat the best and juiciest coffee berries. Their digestive enzymes ferment the beans and break down the proteins in about 36 hours before it defecate. The weasels' undigested coffee beans droppings remained intact, are then collected, thoroughly washed, sun dried and roasted at over 350 degrees. 

During French colonialism in Vietnam, the French built large coffee plantations and the farmers were forbidden from taking the harvested beans, so the farmers scavenged for the weasel droppings to make their own roasts, thus the cà phê Chồn. 

Buon Ma Thuot in Vietnam is ONE of the only two coffee-growing regions in the world where 100% AUTHENTIC weasel coffee is produced. Remarkably different from others due to its distinctive aroma and chocolaty taste, their non-meat diet weasels (which only eat fruits) and the region's rich mineral basaltic soil. Buon Ma Thout's weasel coffee is truly superior, famed as "King of Coffee" making it "The finest gift from Vietnam".

The final cup delivers a buttery smooth, rich distinctive aromatic taste, stronger but, Less bitter than typical coffee with a hint of chocolate texture. Overall, a long lasting taste sensation. (lasting 2-3 hours after having a cup)

*Hot weasel coffee = VD 30,000/RM4.80

About 20% of the coffee produced in the world is Robusta. Vietnam is the world's LARGEST producer/exporter of robusta coffee. Nearly all coffee grown in Vietnam is of the Robusta variety due to its geographical, climate and elevation suitability.

Robusta make strong, full bodied, bitter coffee with an earthy flavour and has twice as much caffeine as arabica. For those who like their coffee with a KiCk!

One taste of the coffee and I became an instant fan... Very Robustic!! Iced Robusta was my order of the drink during my entire stay in Vietnam!!

*Iced Robusta =VND 32,000/RM4.70 

The Culi is made from hand selected pea berries (Culi in Vietnamese) and hand roasted in a traditional manner for a truly authentic taste which has a haunting aftertaste that commands for a second cup. Culi are highly prized for their intensity of flavour. The very best Culi beans are from the mountainous Lam Dong region of Vietnam.  

"Intense bitter taste, passionate scents... and my mind mingles...."

*Hot culi = VND 40,000/RM5.80

Moka is Vietnam's premium arabica coffee which is rare and exotic. The catimor, a variety of the aromatic arabica is naturally bitter with a strong flavour. High quality moka catimor are from the highlands of Lam Dong region.

Fans of strong coffee will like the eXtra KiCk a catimor provides. *Hot Moka Catimor = VD52,000/RM7.60.

Fresh coffee beans, grounded and instant coffee can be purchased at the cafe too. The waitress remembered what you have drank and pointed the beans to you!!  Free smell of the coffee beans if you like.

When in Vietnam, DO immerse in their unique coffee culture. Before leaving Vietnam, BUY some authentic Vietnamese coffee.Make a brew and indulge in Vietnam's BEST known Secret. Soon, you'll find yourself addiCted... 

NOTE:
FREE flow of tea is provided for all customers who ordered their coffee (or not). 

(In Vietnam a cup of coffee is always accompanied by a cup of hot or iced tea.)

*Prices are from Cafe VY, (behind New World Saigon Hotel)

No. 277E, Le Thanh Ton, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.