Vietnamese and Thai coffee are two popular coffee styles in Southeast Asia. While both are unique in their own right, there are some key differences between the two.
Vietnamese coffee is known for its very strong dark roast taste and the use of Vietnamese coffee filters. Thai coffee on the other hand uses lighter roasts and various brewing techniques like cloth filters, espresso machines, and the iconic Thai iced coffee served with sweetened condensed milk.
Both coffee cultures also have their own unique coffee shops and café cultures that reflect the different tastes and preferences between the two countries.
So what exactly sets Vietnamese and Thai coffee styles apart? Let’s take a closer look at the key differences.
Coffee Beans and Roasts Used
One of the biggest differences between Vietnamese and Thai coffee is the type of coffee beans used and how they are roasted.
Vietnamese Coffee Beans
Vietnamese coffee is almost always made from Vietnamese robusta coffee beans. Robusta beans have a naturally harsher and more bitter taste compared to Arabica beans.
The robusta beans used for Vietnamese coffee are grown locally within Vietnam. The most common growing regions are the Central Highlands and the Southeast region near Ho Chi Minh City.
Vietnamese coffee beans are usually roasted very dark with oils surfacing on the beans. This dark roast accentuates the robust, intense flavor of the robusta beans. Dark roasts also help reduce acidity which allows the coffee to pair well with sweetened condensed milk.
Thai Coffee Beans
Thai coffee can use both robusta and arabica beans, but arabica beans are more common. The arabica beans provide a softer, sweeter flavor that works well with how Thai coffee is prepared.
Some Thai coffee blends also use a portion of roasted corn and sesame seeds along with the coffee beans to add an extra touch of flavor.
The beans for Thai coffee are roasted medium-dark to bring out the flavors of the beans without becoming too bitter. Lighter roasts are also common, especially when using higher quality arabica beans.
Brewing Methods
How the coffee is brewed also differs quite a bit between Vietnamese and Thai coffee.
Vietnamese Coffee Brewing
The standard way Vietnamese coffee is brewed is using a small metal drip filter called a phin. Ground coffee is placed into the filter, compressed, and hot water is dripped through into a cup below.
This produces a very strong concentrated coffee liqueur. The coffee filters out all grit and sediment, leaving behind thick, smooth coffee that is served with sweetened condensed milk.
Vietnamese coffee can also be brewed using standard drip coffee methods, French press, and espresso machines. But the phin filter is the distinctive brewing method.
Thai Coffee Brewing
Thai coffee is brewed several ways:
– **Cloth filters** – The ground coffee is placed in a cloth filter or bag and steeped in hot water. The coffee seeps through the cloth, leaving behind a smooth concentrated brew.
– **Espresso** – Commercial Thai coffee shops often use espresso machines to produce a thick coffee concentrate quickly.
– **Drip methods** – Standard drip coffee methods are also common, allowing for easy batch brewing.
– **Thai Iced Coffee** – A popular variant is shaken with ice and sweetened condensed milk to produce the iconic Thai iced coffee drink.
While various brewing approaches are used, the goal is a more lightly concentrated coffee compared to the very intense Vietnamese drip coffee.
Flavors and Tastes
The different beans, roasts, and brewing lead to significantly different tasting experiences between the two coffee styles.
Vietnamese Coffee Flavor
Vietnamese coffee is intensely strong, even bitter. It has a very high caffeine kick and the dark roasts lend an almost burnt, smoky flavor.
Notes of chocolate and caramel are common from the dark roasting. The naturally grainy, harsher robusta bean flavors come through clearly.
When served with sweetened condensed milk, the bitterness balances beautifully with the ultra-sweet milk. This harmony of flavors is part of what makes Vietnamese coffee so craveable.
Thai Coffee Flavor
Thai coffee has a milder, softer flavor. It often still has a moderate caffeine kick but does not have the harsh robusta bite.
There are often tinges of nuttiness, chocolate, and caramel from the bean roasting. Spiced flavors can come through depending on any spices added to the beans.
The arabica beans lend more acidity and fruitier notes compared to Vietnamese coffee. When served with sweetened condensed milk, the coffee flavors blend deliciously with the sweetness, creating an irresistible treat.
Standard Coffee Drinks
Both Vietnamese and Thai coffee cultures have their own iconic coffee drinks.
Famous Vietnamese Coffee Drinks
– **Cà phê sữa đá** – This is Vietnamese iced coffee made with sweetened condensed milk. The strong coffee is chilled and poured over ice, then sweetened condensed milk is added in layers or mixed in.
– **Cà phê đen** – Meaning “black coffee”, this is hot Vietnamese coffee served black, without milk or cream.
– **Cà phê trứng** – Coffee topped with a beaten raw egg yolk, adding thickness and richness.
Popular Thai Coffee Drinks
– **Oliang** – Thai iced coffee served over ice with sweetened condensed milk and sugar.
– **Kafae boran** – Hot Thai coffee served black in a cup.
– **Kafae ron** – Thai-style cappuccino with steamed milk. Often topped with beautiful latte art.
– **Kafae thung** – Thai iced coffee shaken with ice, sugar syrup, and sweetened condensed milk. Served in a plastic bag with a straw.
Coffee Culture and Cafes
Both countries also have vibrant coffee shop cultures that reflect the different styles of coffee.
Vietnamese Coffee Shops
In Vietnamese cities, you’ll find bustling cafes on nearly every street serving ca phe sua da and other Vietnamese coffee drinks. They have a casual, social vibe and tend to use plastic or stainless steel tables and chairs.
The arrivals of cafe chains like Starbucks and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf reflect Vietnam’s coffee obsession. But traditional Vietnamese cafes using phin filters and sweetened condensed milk still thrive.
Thai Coffee Shops
Thailand also has a thriving cafe culture with regional chains like Amazon Café and Wawee Coffee. Independent cafes serving Thai style drinks are also plentiful.
Thai cafes range from casual street-side shops to elegant upscale chains. Many serve both Thai style coffee drinks alongside Western espresso beverages to appeal to tourists. You’ll often find beautifully designed Thai coffee shops in Bangkok using decor inspired by traditional Thai aesthetics.
Consumption Trends
Coffee is hugely popular in both Vietnam and Thailand, though consumption patterns differ.
Vietnamese Coffee Consumption
Vietnam has very high coffee consumption, second only to Brazil. The average Vietnamese person consumes 1.6kg of coffee per year.
Traditional Vietnamese coffee is still preferred by most locals. But newer generations in larger cities are also frequently visiting chains like Starbucks and trying different coffee drinks.
At home coffee drinking remains very common, with most households owning a phin filter to brew coffee Vietnamese style.
Thai Coffee Consumption
Coffee consumption in Thailand has been rising steadily over the past decade, though it still falls behind Vietnam. On average a Thai person consumes around 1kg of coffee per year.
Demand for premium coffee shops and Western drinks like lattes and cappuccinos has been growing rapidly in cities like Bangkok. But localThai style coffee served at casual cafes or street vendors remains the daily drink of choice for most Thais.
Many Thai families also frequently brew Thai style coffee at home for breakfast or as an afternoon treat.
Availability of Beans and Equipment
Both Vietnamese and Thai coffee can be easily enjoyed globally thanks to specialty supply stores.
Vietnamese Coffee Supplies
Authentic Vietnamese coffee beans and phin filters are readily available at Vietnamese grocery stores worldwide and online shops. Robusta beans grown in Vietnam can be purchased along with the iconic stainless steel phin drip filter.
This makes brewing delicious Vietnamese coffee possible anywhere. Sweetened condensed milk can be found at most mainstream grocers.
Thai Coffee Supplies
Thai coffee beans are not quite as ubiquitous globally but can still be purchased online and at import Asian grocery stores. Brands like Doi Chaang sell authentic Thai coffee blends online worldwide.
Brewing supplies like cloth filters and Cheesecloth bags can be substituted for traditional Thai cloth filters. Condensed milk and espresso machines allow you to make Thai style coffee drinks at home.
Geographic Regions
Both coffee styles originated in different geographic regions of Southeast Asia.
Vietnamese Coffee Regions
Vietnam mainly produces coffee in the Southeast region south of Ho Chi Minh City and in the country’s Central Highlands.
The largest coffee plantations are found around Buon Ma Thuotin Dak Lak Province in the lush Central Highlands. Coffee is so integral to Vietnamese agriculture that a massive coffee storage facility was built in Buon Ma Thuot.
Thai Coffee Regions
Thailand has coffee grown in many regions but the main producing area is in the mountainous north.
The provinces of Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and Mae Hong Son have abundant coffee plantations in their mountainous terrain. Much of Thailand’s Arabica coffee is grown in this northern region.
Southern Thailand also has some coffee plantations, but the quantity and quality is generally lower than beans from the north.
Popularity and Consumption
Both Vietnamese and Thai style coffee are hugely popular within their native countries. But on a global scale, Vietnamese style coffee is more widely available and recognized internationally.
Vietnamese Coffee Popularity
Vietnamese coffee has exploded in popularity across the globe in recent years. Its iconic sweet and strong flavors have intrigued many coffee lovers.
The Vietnamese diaspora has also spread Vietnamese coffee culture to cafes across North America, Europe, and Australia. Overseas Vietnamese communities often open cafes serving ca phe sua da introducing the drink to foreign customers.
Outside of the Vietnamese community, Vietnamese coffee has also been widely adopted by hip, cosmopolitan cafes looking to offer something trendy and different. You can now find phin filters served in many international cities.
Thai Coffee Popularity
Thai coffee is globally recognized by coffee aficionados but has not yet broken through into the mainstream as much as Vietnamese coffee has.
Thai restaurants abroad will often serve Thai coffee, but it is less commonly found in general cafes or coffee shops. The Thai population overseas is much smaller than the Vietnamese diaspora which contributes to its lower international visibility.
But among dedicated coffee lovers, Thai coffee is appreciated for its unique yet approachable flavors. As Thai cuisine gains more awareness internationally, the popularity of Thai style coffee is also likely to grow.
Price and Affordability
Both styles of coffee are quite affordable in their native countries. But internationally Vietnamese coffee is generally cheaper for consumers.
Vietnamese Coffee Prices
A cup of Vietnamese coffee within Vietnam costs 15,000-25,000 VND, or about $0.60-$1 USD. At this price, it is extremely affordable for everyday Vietnamese coffee lovers.
Internationally, serving Vietnamese coffee is also relatively affordable for cafes. Robusta beans are cheaper than high-end Arabica beans. And the simple brewing equipment keeps overhead costs lower.
Consumers can buy Vietnamese coffee supplies like beans and filters quite cheaply too. So sipping an authentic tasting cup of Vietnamese coffee at home is very budget friendly.
Thai Coffee Prices
In Thailand, a cup of Thai coffee is also quite cheap at around 15-50 baht per cup depending on size and style. That equates to $0.40 to $1.50 USD.
But internationally, Thai coffee’s reputation as a higher end specialty coffee makes it pricier. The essential ingredients like Thai arabica coffee beans, Thai tea leaves, and high-quality sweetened condensed milk can cost more than everyday robusta beans and standard condensed milk.
So sipping Thai coffee abroad is a bit more of a luxury compared to the very affordable everyday Vietnamese coffee. But this premium international price also adds to the allure of Thai coffee for cosmopolitan coffee enthusiasts.
Major Brands
Vietnam and Thailand each have popular coffee brands sold domestically and abroad.
| Popular Vietnamese Coffee Brands | Popular Thai Coffee Brands |
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Major Vietnamese brands like Trung Nguyên pride themselves on quality Vietnamese coffee while exporting it globally. Leading Thai brands aim to appeal to Thai tastes and growing international demand for specialty Thai coffee.
These major brands market the unique qualities of their respective country’s coffee styles and fuel the popularity of both Vietnamese and Thai coffee worldwide.
Key Differences Summary
Vietnamese and Thai coffee differ most noticeably in these key areas:
| Vietnamese Coffee | Thai Coffee |
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These core differences in beans, roasting, brewing all contribute to the distinct yet equally tasty flavors of Vietnamese vs Thai coffee styles.
Conclusion
While both Vietnamese and Thai coffee share some similarities like using sweetened condensed milk, they have clearly differentiated flavors, ingredients, and brewing methods.
Vietnamese coffee stands out for its very dark roasted robusta beans brewed through a phin filter to produce an intensely strong shot of coffee. Thai coffee goes for more refined, nuanced flavors from lighter roasted arabica beans brewed through various methods like espresso and cloth filtration.
These unique coffee cultures are deeply embedded in Vietnam and Thailand, with locals preferring their country’s signature style. But both Vietnamese and Thai coffee are gaining more international fans as people appreciate the diverse flavors and backgrounds of Southeast Asian coffees.
No matter your personal taste preference, Vietnamese and Thai coffee are amazing options for exploring new styles beyond European and Western coffee traditions. Sipping one of these coffees lets you experience the distinct flavors of Southeast Asia in a cup.