Best Southeast Asian Coffee Types
Vietnamese iced coffee is a drink that combines strong coffee, condensed milk, and ice. It is traditionally made with medium or coarse ground Vietnamese-grown coffee, typically the Robusta variety, which is brewed using a drip phin filter—in which the coffee is brewed and then slowly dripped in the cup.
The coffee is then poured over ice and mixed with condensed milk. It is usually served in a tall glass. Although it is most commonly made with condensed milk (cà phê sữa đá), there is also a version that combines only coffee and ice (cà phê đá).
As the name suggests, this coffee style originated in Ipoh, but contrary to its name, it is not white. The name stems from the roasting technique in which coffee beans are lightly roasted in margarine before they are ground and brewed. The origin of this roasting style is usually associated with Hainanese immigrants in Malaysia, who adapted the classic technique to create a beverage that has a milder, lightly caramelized coffee flavor. Ipoh white coffee is usually enriched with condensed milk and should have a light froth on top.
It should not be mistaken for a general term white coffee, which may refer to any coffee served with the addition of milk or creamer.
Coffee culture is an important part of daily life in Vietnam. Although it was first brought by the French colonist in the mid-19th century, coffee quickly became popular, and Vietnam is currently one of the largest coffee producers, as well as the leading producer and exporter of the Robusta coffee variety.
Robusta is also the most commonly used variety in Vietnam. It attains its quite strong flavor and a thick texture due to the slow and long dark roast. Occasionally, the beans are also roasted with butter and sugar, while some even decide to add cocoa and vanilla during roasting.
VARIATIONS OF Vietnamese Coffee
Thick and rich kopi tubruk is the most popular coffee in Indonesia, especially in Java. It involves simple preparation in which boiling or hot water is combined with fine or medium ground coffee. The combination is mixed until it is well incorporated, and it is then left to sit for a couple of minutes until the coffee grounds settle at the bottom of the cup.
Although sugar is optional, most people choose to sweeten the coffee by mixing sugar with coffee grounds, before the water is added. This method of preparation is believed to have been introduced by the traders from the Middle East since both the method and the coffee are quite similar to Turkish (Greek) coffee.
Egg coffee (ca phe trung) is a sweet and dense Vietnamese beverage that traditionally consists of strong black robusta coffee that is mixed with egg yolks and sweetened condensed milk. The egg yolks and the milk are whipped for about 10 minutes, and boiled until meringue-like consistency.
The coffee is mostly made using a traditional Vietnamese phin filter in which the coffee is brewed and then slowly dripped in a cup. It is poared into the whipped eggs, forming the characteristic, aromatic foam. The origin of the drink dates back to 1950s and the French Indochina War.
Indonesian kopi luwak is often cited as the most expensive coffee in the world. It is made from coffee beans that are digested and excreted by the civet (luwak)—a catlike mammal that is native to Southeast Asia—before they are washed, ground, and roasted.
It is believed that when the coffee beans pass through the animal’s digestive tract, they lose their astringency, which makes the coffee softer, smoother, and less bitter. The coffee was allegedly discovered in the 19th century during the Dutch colonial rule when the local farmers were forbidden to harvest coffee for their personal use.
THE BEST Kopi luwak Coffees
Ginseng coffee is a beverage that combines coffee with ginseng, a root that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.
The origin of it is elusive, but the first commercially viable blend was produced and marketed in 1994 in Indonesia by the Citra Nusa Insan Cemerlang company. This combination has become popular in various parts of the world, particularly in Italy, where it is served in most cafés.
Kopi joss is a specialty coffee that originated in Yogyakarta. What makes this coffee unique is the addition of burning charcoal that is added directly in a cup of brewed coffee. The addition of charcoal is believed to have health benefits, and many also find that burning charcoal neutralizes acidity and provides a subtle caramel flavor to the brew.
The drink allegedly first appeared in the 1960s as an invention of a local street vendor. Nowadays, several coffee vendors, located mostly in tourist areas of Yogyakarta, prepare and sell this specialty. Interestingly, the name joss is believed to stem from the onomatopoeic sound that occurs when the burning charcoal is dropped in the glass.
This Vietnamese coffee is a slightly unusual combination of brewed black coffee—traditionally made using a phin filter—yogurt, condensed milk, and ice. The drink can also be served as a warm beverage, while some variations also may include lemon juice.
The ingredients can be mixed together or blended until smooth, while sometimes milk and yogurt are combined with ice, and the coffee is then poured last. This coffee variety is usually enjoyed during hot and humid days as a tangy refreshment.
Kopi terbalik or kopi khop is an Indonesian type of coffee known for its unique serving style. The coffee is brewed and poured in a glass, which is then turned upside down and placed on a large plate. Each coffee is served with a straw, and the guest should use it to slowly blow air inside the glass, allowing the liquid to pour on the plate.
According to a widespread legend, the coffee originated in coastal areas in Aceh when men would take a sip of coffee and then go work at sea. Turning the cup upside down, allowed the coffee to stay clean so the men would be able to drink it after they would come back from work.
Best Southeast Asian Coffee Producers
Toarco Toraja is a premier producer of high-quality Arabica coffee from the Toraja Highlands in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Toarco Toraja stands out as one of the few producers in Indonesia that maintains complete control over the entire coffee production process.
From seedling selection and sustainable cultivation to hand-picking, meticulous sorting, and state-of-the-art "Full Wash" processing, every step is carefully managed to ensure absolute consistency and excellence. The washed processing method enhances the clarity, balance, and refined acidity of the beans, resulting in a clean and vibrant cup profile.
BEST Toarco Toraja Coffee Beans
Gayo Kopi is a distinguished Indonesian company specializing in the production and export of premium Wild Kopi Luwak coffee. Their beans are sourced from the Gayo Highlands in Northern Sumatra, where wild civets naturally select and consume the finest coffee cherries.
This natural process imparts unique flavor profiles to the beans, resulting in a rich and indulgent coffee experience. Gayo Kopi is committed to ethical sourcing, ensuring that all their Kopi Luwak is collected from wild, uncaged civets, thereby supporting both environmental sustainability and animal welfare.
BEST Gayo Kopi Coffees
Kopi Luwak is a renowned Indonesian coffee company specializing in the production of premium civet coffee, commonly known as Kopi Luwak. Established in 1969, the company has dedicated decades to perfecting the art of coffee cultivation and processing.
Their signature product is derived from coffee cherries consumed and naturally fermented by wild civets, resulting in beans that are meticulously collected, cleaned, roasted, and ground to produce a rich, full-bodied coffee with unique flavor notes of caramel and chocolate.
BEST Kopi Luwak Coffee Coffees
The Kopi Luwak Company™ is a UK-based coffee importer and roaster specializing in premium, ethically sourced Kopi Luwak coffee from Indonesia. With over five years of experience, they offer a range of products, including whole beans, ground coffee, and Nespresso-compatible pods, all derived from wild Asian palm civets.
Their commitment to ethical sourcing ensures that the civets are not caged or harmed in the process. Customers worldwide can enjoy free shipping on orders over $50, with a 100% money-back guarantee on their luxury coffee selections.
BEST Kopi Luwak Company Coffees
Best Southeast Asian Coffees
Sulawesi Toarco Jaya Peaberry Washed is a premium coffee originating from the Toraja region of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Cultivated at high altitudes by the indigenous Toraja people, this coffee is meticulously processed by PT Toarco Jaya, a collaboration between Indonesian and Japanese partners dedicated to ensuring exceptional quality. The unique peaberry beans, which occur naturally in about 5-10% of coffee cherries, are renowned for their distinctive round shape and are often associated with a more concentrated flavor profile.
These beans are fully washed, a processing method that enhances their clean and bright characteristics. When light roasted, this coffee exhibits a full-bodied profile with sweet, nutty flavors, offering a smooth and mellow drinking experience. The combination of meticulous cultivation practices, unique bean characteristics, and careful processing results in a coffee that is both distinctive and refined, making Sulawesi Toarco Jaya Peaberry Washed a prized choice among coffee enthusiasts.
Gayo Kopi's Arabica Luwak Coffee is a premium offering sourced from 100% wild civets in the Gayo Highlands of Sumatra. This ethically produced coffee boasts a rich aroma with hints of chocolate and an exquisite caramel finish, delivering a luxurious and complex flavor profile.
The beans are freshly roasted and packaged in a gold foil pouch with a degassing valve to ensure optimal freshness. Each pouch is encased in a keepsake luxury tin with double lids, presented in an elegant display box. Please note, this product is currently out of stock.
Kopi Luwak, also known as civet coffee, is a unique and rare type of coffee produced using beans that have been eaten and excreted by the Asian palm civet. This process involves the civet consuming ripe coffee cherries, which then undergo fermentation in its digestive system.
After excretion, the beans are collected, thoroughly cleaned, and roasted to produce coffee. This method is believed to enhance the coffee's flavor profile, resulting in a smooth, less acidic taste with distinctive aromatic qualities. Due to its labor-intensive production and limited availability, Kopi Luwak is considered one of the most expensive coffees globally.
Shangri-La Coffee Wild Kopi Luwak Ground Coffee is a premium, ethically sourced coffee made from beans collected from wild Asian palm civets in Indonesia. These civets naturally select and consume the ripest coffee cherries, which undergo fermentation in their digestive systems.
After excretion, the beans are meticulously collected, thoroughly cleaned, and expertly roasted to produce a smooth, complex coffee with hints of caramel and chocolate. This ground coffee is ready for use in your preferred brewing method, offering a luxurious and unique coffee experience.
is a playful brand under The Kopi Luwak Company, a UK-based premium coffee importer and roaster. They specialize in ethically sourced Wild Kopi Luwak Coffee from Indonesia, ensuring that the Asian palm civets involved in the process are neither caged nor harmed.
The brand offers a variety of products, including whole beans, ground coffee, and Nespresso-compatible capsules, all featuring the same high-quality Kopi Luwak beans as their Shangri-La Coffee line. The packaging is designed with a fun and colorful aesthetic, making it an excellent gift option for coffee enthusiasts with a sense of humor.
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