Hello! Hope everyone’s having a fantastic Tuesday! It’s been a lil crazy around here. My Z hasn’t been feeling well hence skipping daycare so this mommy has been in full throttle mommy-mode. Lots of hugs, kisses, late night coughing, tissues, and snots! Yes, it’s not always pretty and dainty.
It’s been really gloomy around here although not as freezing. Perfect kinda weather for coffee sipping tendencies. As much as I LOVE tea, I can appreciate a good cup of freshly brewed coffee. Especially, Vietnamese Coffee (Ca Phe). I usually opt for decaf b/c I my heart can’t hang (serious rapid palpitations) but w/ Vietnamese Coffee it’s straight up (not available in decaf). Ironically, I don’t really get major side effects from Vietnamese Ca Phe. Weird! Call it psychological if you will…
Here are a few snapshots of what I consider as my perfect Cup of Joe.
You will typically find Vietnamese Ca Phe brewed this way using a French drip filter for individual servings. Sweetened condensed milk is added in first. Also b/c it’s usually enjoyed over iced, a tall glass would be used (room for adding ice at the end). Since it’s chilly outside, I like mine hot so I’m using a small glass cup instead (ice… no thanks!).
The joy of brewing Vietnamese Ca Phe for me is watching the coffee dripping down, drop by drop (sometimes, I act like I have nothing better to do than staring at coffee dripping!). And the color contrast b/w the condensed milk and dark coffee … so cool!
Cafe Du Monde is most often the coffee brand associated w/ Vietnamese Coffee. This must have been an Americanized adaptation b/c Cafe Du Monde originated in New Orleans. The Cafe Du Monde Coffee Shop is world famous for their Beignets.
My eldest sister just recently came back from a trip to Vietnam and brought back true Vietnamese coffee. A local brand made in Vietnam. I was excited to try this coffee and experience the real Vietnamese Ca Phe.
Don’t let this image fool you. I don’t have the luxury of enjoying coffee & blogs hrs on end at my convenience (wouldn’t that be the life?!). Most days, I eat lunch standing next to the kitchen counter, feverishly devouring my food before Zoey starts tugging on my legs. Relaxing? Not so much!
Black & White image- husband and I pre-Zoey era.
On a side note, most of our indoor herbs have died so my husband decided to grow grass in their place. Which means we’ll have vibrant green grass in the middle of winter AND to have them indoors? Ingenious!
So if you get a chance, next time you’re at a Vietnamese restaurant, order some Ca Phe Sua Da (Vietnamese Iced Coffee). Most likely, they will use Cafe Du Monde, which is just as good as the original!
Better yet, try making it at home! It’s truly the perfect Cup of Joe.
Sin Chao! wow this takes me back to when I was living in an area called Vườn Chuối in HCMC – I alway had ca phe den, but every now and again ca phe sue da 🙂 I miss the coffee and Vietnam. I also love your more recent post on spring rolls – the food there was some of the best I have ever had in my life. Thanks for posting and inspiring some memories.
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Aw- Thanks!! Glad you had fond memories of Vietnam! Have a great one. Best, Kellie
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My love for vietnamese coffee has surpassed all other coffee crushes through time.
Great post!
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LOVE THIS…THIS IS AWESOOME…XOXOXOOX
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I have the same problems with my stomach when drinking coffee. I cannot drink any strong coffee at all as I feel horrible for the rest of the day then…
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That looks seriously delicious! The ritual is the pleasure!
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You make me miss Orange County. I used to get coffee from the corner Vietnamese bakery. Good times.
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Gorgeous photos! I’m also a Cafe Du Monde fan. Vietnamese coffee is the best!
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LOVE Vietnamese coffee… such a strong hit and so sweet!
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I thought I’d tasted all coffee in the world. Now it’s embarrassing, because I’ve never had this Vietnamese wonder…
Thanks for sharing, I’ll be on a mission indulging into that.
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I love ALL coffee. There is a great Vietnamese restaurant here in Scottsdale..I will have to try the coffee next time!
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I love ca phe sua da!! Used to have at least 2 cups each day when i visited Ho Chi Minh, haha. It’s so delicious, and smells so good! 🙂
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I love Vietnamese coffee for all those reasons you so eloquently put. I love the slow process, the sweetness of the condensed milk, the strong coffee. I also use cafe du monde! Great post.
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Gorgeous pictures! I’ve tried the cafe du monde beignet mix and its amazing, will have to look for that coffee now being that we can’t go a day without it now! Can you tell me where you got that cool coffee pot? thanks!
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I think, i love your blog. It’s very beautiful here 🙂
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You had me at coffee 🙂 And I gotta say, I just adore your photography! This was such a fun post. No caffeine and ice for me either! It can be 90 degrees at 7 am and I will have a hot Decaf Americano in my hand Lol I can’t wait to try this brewing method!
Sherri
P.S. Your little Zoey is just beautiful.
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I love iced coffee. & what a cool idea to grow grass inside. 🙂
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Mmmm sweetened condensed milk added to anything, please! I had no idea that Cafe du Monde coffee was what was most often used for this. Being just an hour from New Orleans we frequent Cafe du Monde for cafe au laits and beignets! Great and informative post!!
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I drink Cafe Du Monde every morning. Love it!
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