So this morning I decided to try an experiment. I love Vietnamese coffee. It’s like silky chocolate-y crack. Or rather PCP, once I had a cup at noon and decided I was too macho to let my GF – a third my size – drive us around on her scooter through the crazy streets of Saigon while I hung on to her from the back. I’d never driven a scooter in my life! But a cup of Vietnamese coffee was telling me I could Do Anything! Of course I crashed us straight into a wall and needed stitches in my head. I was so high off of one cup of coffee that I didn’t even realize I was bleeding until I saw the looks on the faces of everyone around our wreck. Now THAT’s a cup of coffee!!!
I’m down to my last bag of Vietnamese Coffee that I got from Phu Nhuan District and who knows when I’ll be able to get some more. It’s not like you can just buy that stuff anywhere. So I wasn’t about to risk that coffee in an espresso machine, but I REALLY wanted to know if the brewing method made that much of a difference – because the Vietnamese Drip style is a lot of work, and time. Luckily, I had some Bustelo around. Cafe Bustelo is a SHOCKINGLY good Cuban coffee for the price.
THE TEST: Made a 2 tsp per half mug of coffee (I know, not too scientific) of espresso, and the same ratio in a Vietnamese Drip. The espresso was finished first of course. So I drank it, while waiting out the 10+ minutes of the Vietnamese drip method (and keeping an eye on it as I add the water slowly).
GET A VIETNAMESE DRIP FILTER HERE: http://amzn.to/2krc15q
THE RESULTS: Wow, Vietnamese Drip HANDS DOWN. I’m actually a bit disappointed by this – I was hoping I could get away with a faster method but like I said, there is NO WAY I am sacrificing the taste of the rare luxury that is Vietnamese Coffee.
ANOTHER NOTE TO CONSIDER: Even in an espresso machine it is good to use a little paper filter if you have a machine that can accommodate it. Straight coffee will make your cholesterol and triglycerides go through the roof! Although there are health benefits to the cafestol and other oils in coffee, as well as taste benefits, straight coffee is murder on your lipid levels. THIS is Not an option with a Vietnamese drip really, I mean you could I suppose – just not without tainting the awesomeness that is Vietnamese Coffee. Maybe I’ll try Bustelo with a filter in the drip. Or just go back to Tea 😉 .
Ready4theRedCarpet
Host of the TV Show Rock Star Recipes and the 1st Indian-American to walk the Latin Grammy Red Carpet, Anand Bhatt brings us the inside scoop & behind-the-scenes on Everything from Kitchen and Fitness Hacks, who's wearing what, the latest fashion and beauty trends, Inspiration on how celebs keep it together under stress, and more! Read on and live your best life!
