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Ca Phe Sua Da

Serves 4 to 6 Beverage vegetarian, Beverages

Ca Phe Sua Da

Ca Phe Sua Da, a beloved staple of Saigon's bustling café culture, is a drink that captures the vibrant essence of Vietnam's coffee tradition. Perfect for lazy afternoons or as a morning pick-me-up, this iced delight is crafted with care, each element measured by intuition rather than scale. At home, it is prepared with the same spirit, inviting family and friends to savor the moment together.

The drink offers a perfect balance of robust Vietnamese coffee and creamy sweetness from condensed milk, poured over ice to create a refreshing contrast. As you sip, the strong, bold coffee notes meld seamlessly with the luscious, velvety texture, providing a rich experience that is both invigorating and indulgent.

Ingredients

  • 3 tbspVietnamese ground coffee
  • 2 tbspsweetened condensed milk
  • as neededice
  • hot waterfor brewing

Method

  1. Begin by preparing your coffee brewing setup. Use a Vietnamese phin filter and place it over a heatproof glass or cup. Add 3 tablespoons of Vietnamese ground coffee into the phin filter. Gently press the coffee with the filter press to ensure even brewing.
  2. Pour a small amount of hot water, just enough to dampen the coffee grounds, and let it sit for about 20 seconds. This step allows the coffee to bloom, releasing its rich aroma and ensuring a more flavorful brew.
  3. After blooming, slowly pour more hot water into the phin filter until it reaches the top. Cover the filter with its lid and let the coffee drip through. The process should take around 4-5 minutes, resulting in a strong, aromatic coffee base. The coffee should be dark and fragrant, indicating it's ready.
  4. While the coffee is brewing, prepare a tall glass by adding 2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk to the bottom. The sweetness of the condensed milk is essential to balance the strong, bold flavors of the coffee.
  5. Once the coffee has finished dripping, remove the phin filter. Carefully pour the brewed coffee over the condensed milk in the glass. Stir gently to combine, ensuring the condensed milk fully dissolves into the coffee, creating a smooth, creamy mixture.
  6. Fill the glass with ice cubes, allowing the coffee to chill instantly. The ice should fill the glass, cooling the coffee rapidly and creating the refreshing characteristic of Ca Phe Sua Da.
  7. Serve the Ca Phe Sua Da immediately in a traditional glassware. The coffee should be a rich, caramel color with a smooth texture, ready to be enjoyed as a refreshing and energizing drink.
Cover of Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Vietnamese volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

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