Coffee (the word derived from the French café [/kafe/]) is a beverage crafted from roasted coffee beans extracted from the fruits of a coffee shrub. Each kind of coffee employs varying techniques and beans to come up with a cup of java which has a variety of tastes and qualities. Vietnamese and Japanese coffees boast several positive qualities and are respected worldwide for their numerous varieties. This duel looks at both contenders on 10 distinct factors to establish which one is “better.”
1. Availability: Vietnam produces tons of Robusta coffee a year
Vietnam is second only to Brazil in terms of coffee export, with a yearly amount of about 1,650,000 tonnes. Vietnam is the top producer and exporter of Robusta coffee on a global scale. Robusta beans represent the vast majority (95%) of coffee beans grown in Vietnam and roughly two-fifths (40%) of coffee grown across the globe. The strong variety of coffee, Robusta, grows in abundance in Vietnam, just as the fortitude of the Vietnamese people endures in the land. Robusta, meaning “robust” or “sturdy,” is able to cultivate and persevere through difficult circumstances. Vietnam offers excellent natural conditions for cultivating Robusta coffee. The maximum height at which this tree can reach its peak growth is 800 meters. The lowest would be 0 meters. The temperate climate in the Central Highlands, with temperatures between 24-29 degrees and abundant soil, creates perfect conditions for this plant to flourish. Vietnamese Robusta coffee has earned an international reputation for its sizable yields per hectare. The taste of this specialty is particularly appetizing and delightful in well-known areas including Buon Ma Thuot (Dak Lak) and Lam Ha (Lam Dong).
2. Consumption: Japan is one of the largest consumers of coffee in the world
In 2020, the total financial value of the Japanese coffee market was USD 29.9 million, and each person in Japan consumed an average of 2kg of the beverage per year. It is predicted that the sector will grow by an average of 3.5 percent every year from 2020 to 2025.
People who are unfamiliar with Japan may be shocked to find out that it is the leading coffee consumer in the world, but the reasons for this are easily recognizable. In Japan, many of the convenience stores known as “Conbini” sell an array of coffee and offer a fast, convenient way to obtain it. It is a well-known fact that Starbucks is a significant provider of coffee around the globe and when it established outlets in Japan, it adapted its operations to address Japanese expectations.
In 2020, Vietnam drank approximately 2.7 million 60kg bags of coffee. The total amount of coffee consumed in 2020 was 50,060 kg bags more than that of 2019.
3. Reputation: Vietnam coffee exports are under the top 2 of the world
Vietnam has established itself as a main player in the global market by largely emphasizing the more economical Robusta variety of coffee. Robusta beans contain double the amount of caffeine when compared to Arabica beans, which imparts a more unpleasant flavor. Vietnam is the second biggest coffee growing country on the planet. Vietnamese coffee is one of the 10 major exports of Vietnam and is placed in the top 6 of all exports, having an average value exceeding 3 billion US Dollars per year. Coffee is a major exported item, an essential commodity following rice. Approximately 40% of the world’s Robusta coffee originates from Vietnam. Various regions worldwide rely on Vietnamese Robusta coffee beans for their low acidity, robust flavor, and mocha-like features.
4. Dedication: Japanese Sumiyaki coffee also requires highly-skilled experts
Skills in preparing Japanese Sumiyaki coffee by roasting are essential for it to turn out superbly. In order to make fires that are more efficient than gas burners, specialists need to blend specific abilities. Maintaining a temperature of approximately 500 degrees or increasing the heat to 1000 degrees with a fan is essential to ensure that the fire is kept alight. Moreover, the specialists should be aware that in order to maintain the burning of the coals, they must be able to cool them down by pouring water over them or throwing salt onto them when needed.
When figuring out the finest day and hour to roast something, it is essential that a roaster take into consideration the climate and dampness of that day. To ignite a binchotan, place it in a fireplace, oven or expose to an open fire for three quarters of an hour. Experts must guarantee that the roasting process is secure, so they need to be very capable and experienced in order to keep unwelcome results to a minimum while also lowering the costs when roasting goes wrong.
5. Feature: Coffee is more than just a drink in Vietnam
Vietnamese tend to save up the leftover coffee grounds for additional employment in a range of capacities. Especially for women, Vietnamese people make frequent use of coffee when it comes to beauty treatments; for example, employing it for exfoliating skin, for exfoliating hair, and for mixing it with yogurt or honey to create face masks for acne and diminishing dark circles under the eyes. Due to the presence of beneficial nutrients including organic acids, healthy fats, alkaloids, minerals like potassium, magnesium, and iron, coffee grounds can be very beneficial to female beauty.
6. Tools: Two special methods of making Sumiyaki Japanese coffee roasting.
There are generally two well-known methods used for coffee roasting: hot air roasting and direct fire roasting. These are the two predominant ways of roasting beans that have been employed for a long time in the coffee business.
A technique for preparing coffee beans that involves using extremely hot air is known as hot air roasting. The roasting of coffee beans produces a light-roasted coffee. It is possible to envision this technique as if the beans were being roasted in a device that releases moderate to warm air.
Cooking coffee with a gas flame is a technique known as Direct Fire Roasting. This is analogous to cooking meat on a grill. This technique of roasting creates a darker roast and makes coffee with a more intense taste.
7. Taste: Aroma tastes of Japanese Sumiyaki charcoal roasted coffee
Sumiyaki Charcoal Roasted coffee has a powerful and smoky aroma, in addition to a salty taste. The beans go through a cooking process due to the effects of Infrared and Far Infrared Rays, resulting in a flavourful and fluffy texture. Anyone who has experience with charcoal grilling can recognize the amazing aroma and flavor that can be achieved using this approach. Coffee lovers are sure not to forget the perfect combination of smoky, sugary, and savoury scents. In addition, roasting with charcoal keeps the coffee from going bad and brings out a very unique taste.
8. Device varieties: The Japanese use many devices and tools to make coffee
Japanese people incorporate a plethora of machines and instruments to craft coffee grinders, particularly the Hario variety, which is regularly regarded to be one of the premier options available in Japan. They normally employ their coffee pour-over indicators (V60), paper sifters, and containers for pouring. Furthermore, Japanese folks have long utilized Nel drip coffee. You can use a Nel drip pot to craft a delicious cup of coffee and add a bit of class to your coffee-making setup, whether in your own kitchen or in a cafe. Furthermore, the Wave Drippers range, the Drip Pot, Server and Decanters, Dutch Coffee Server and Coffee Mills can all add to the selection of coffee preparation gadgets.
9. Cost: a cup of Vietnamese coffee at a pavement café costs under $1
Coffee outlets along roads in Vietnam are undoubtedly bound to provide a special beverage known as Vietnamese Coffee. Vietnamese people, especially males, are fond of drinking coffee while they are out, causing it to be readily found. They can wake up early and take a stroll to the stores on the block, then take time to socialize with friends while sipping on some coffee prior to beginning their job or a new day. For a cost of around 10,000 – 20,000 Vietnamese Dong (which comes to approximately $0.50 to $0.80 USD), anyone can savor a cup of coffee with a strong and aromatic taste. Moreover, many Vietnamese people grab takeout food to their workplace to eat, which assists to liven up their day and inject energy.
6 Best Vietnamese Coffee Brands
Vietnamese coffee provides an invigorating energy boost that is both rich and robust in flavor. How can you identify the finest beans for making at home?
We have tried numerous companies and selected six of the best Vietnamese coffees in the marketplace to assist you with shopping. These products boast a delicious flavor and also some provide great cost-effectiveness.
1.Vinacafe Instant Coffee Mix – Editor’s Choice
We highly recommend Vinacafe, an instant coffee that offers lots of flavor for those constantly busy. It’s a surprisingly good product considering its nature. Coffee experts tend to not look favorably upon instant coffee, yet this one surpasses most other types. It has a pleasant smell, is assertive, and makes it very easy to begin your day.
Nevertheless, it will not be as rich-tasting as a traditional drip-brewed coffee. It seems rather dilute, which may dissatisfy those who prefer regular coffee.
Overall, Vinacafe is the best Vietnamese coffee brand that we recommend. It brews quickly and tastes absolutely delicious!
2.Trung Nguyen Vietnamese Coffee – The Runner-Up
Those who prefer classic coffee should try Trung Nguyen Vietnamese Coffee. This is a lighter blend with low acidity. The outcome is a very pleasant drinking experience. This is an excellent option for those with delicate digestive systems.
It is also quite inexpensive, making it an excellent selection for those who wish to be economical.
We noticed that the coffee had a bit of a bitter aftertaste. For the most part, this is a top-notch option that coffee enthusiasts will really value.
Saigon Phin Daklak Pre-Ground Coffee
Coming in at third, the Saigon Phin Daklak is a product that truly stands out through its remarkable qualities. This pre-ground coffee is mild and mellow. People who like drinking coffee in an understated setting will be delighted with what this place has to offer.
The firm promotes that the mixture is particularly well suited for creating Vietnamese-style iced coffee, although in reality you can craft this mixture any way you choose.
Yet, certain purchasers have expressed that they noticed an unusual taste afterwards. It may not be the case for you, but it could be useful to have this in the back of your mind. It is a decent coffee that can be bought at an acceptable cost.
4.Chestbrew Whole Bean Coffee
The Chestbrew is a robust, flavourful coffee that brings a whole lot of taste and energy in each serving. This bag of beans is not the best option for people just starting out with coffee, however it’s the perfect choice for those who like a bit of a strong flavor.
The beans put a big priority on freshness. They are collected and put away in a concise amount of time to create a delightful drinking experience. The grinders have been specifically designed to work perfectly with both hot and cold brewed coffees.
This type of coffee is on the pricier side, so budget shoppers should explore other options.
5.G7 3-in-1 Instant Premium Vietnamese Coffee
G7 3-in-1 is an appealing selection for those who prefer instant coffee. It is very affordable. You will receive one hundred portions that come pre-packaged, so with them, you can brew up a delicious cup of coffee in just a few minutes.
Nevertheless, it has many of the same issues that plague instant coffee. It doesn’t have a lot of taste. Most instant coffees typically have a watery texture. If you need something quickly, it’s not terrible, but there are more desirable choices out there.
6.Len’s Coffee Vietnamese Coffee Kit
To finish things off, here is an all-in-one package that will assist you in discovering the unique world of Vietnamese coffee. Len’s Coffee Vietnamese Coffee Kit is distinctive due to its detailed tutorial which offers insights into the background of Vietnamese coffee. This package features a can of condensed milk, making it easy to prepare coffee beverages that follow the Vietnamese custom.
The actual beans themselves are fairly underwhelming. Many users report that they received a stale product. It’s also just not very flavorful or fragrant. If the flavor is of the utmost importance to you, there are better choices available. Remember that this particular coffee is one of the pricier ones on our list.