Introduced by French Jesuits in the 1870s, Vietnam has risen to be the second largest coffee exporting country after Brazil. And while the perception of Vietnamese coffee is sometimes low, it’s Robusta beans often rate very highly amoung international cup testing competitions. It is not just Vietnamese who are passionate about Vietnam’s unique way of crafting and serving coffee. Many travelers become instant fans of the iced coffees known as “ca phe da” (black iced coffee) and “ca phe sua da” (condensed milk iced coffee). What makes Vietnamese coffee so special is the flavouring process after roasting. Ingredients such as butter, sugar, caramel, hazelnut and even alcohol are added to give a richer flavour than you would expect from a non flavoured, western style espresso coffee. With 150 years of coffee heritage, Vietnam drinkers have made coffee a key part of their social culture. Sitting in the shade catching up with friends, while the strong, rich brew percolates through the ‘phin’ (filter). Vietnamese iced coffee gives you more than just a delicious tasting lift, it also creates an ideal social atmosphere. Perfect for summer time relaxing in any country.