The number of people making videos offering tips on how to brew coffee to taste like Vietnamese coffee is increasing, including coffee with salt, CNN reported.

One of the famous coffee flavors mentioned by the renowned American news agency is salted coffee. This beverage, loved by many, originated in a small, simply decorated coffee shop in the city of Hue called Salted Coffee.

Co-owners Ho Thi Thanh Huong and Tran Nguyen Huu Phong shared with CNN at the end of June that they created this drink in 2010, consisting of condensed milk, salt, black coffee, and a top layer of cream to soften the bitterness of the coffee and balance the sweetness of the milk. Their goal in opening the shop was to create a uniquely different drink to attract customers. They succeeded with salted coffee. The shop owners mentioned that people in Hue are accustomed to drinking black or brown coffee, so salted coffee is considered a novelty.

“We truly appreciate the first customers who were willing to try this unusual drink, providing feedback that helped us perfect the flavor,” the shop owners said.
Salted coffee has become one of the beloved beverages across Vietnam. Even global coffee brands with branches in Vietnam have joined this salted coffee trend by introducing their own versions in May.

Vietnam is not the only country where salt is added to coffee. In 2023, the American food website Bon Appetit suggested adding salt to various drinks to reduce bitterness and enhance flavors. The tradition of adding salt to coffee dates back hundreds of years in countries like Turkey, Hungary, and Siberia.

Vietnam predominantly grows Robusta coffee, the second largest coffee exporter globally after Brazil. The widespread popularity of salted coffee in cafes throughout Hue and Vietnam today is no surprise, as coffee has long been a cherished beverage among locals.
Traditional Vietnamese coffee is brewed using a phin filter and served in a cup or glass. Many enjoy it with condensed milk, while some prefer it with ice. Besides salted coffee, Vietnamese coffee has gained international recognition through drinks like egg coffee, coconut milk coffee, yogurt mixed with iced coffee, or coffee smoothies.

According to a 2023 report from the global market research firm Mintel, non-Asian consumers are increasingly interested in new and exotic coffee experiences and flavors. 71% of Gen Z respondents (born between 1997 and 2012) interviewed by Mintel expressed a desire to try Asian-style coffee such as Vietnamese coffee.

In the United States, 7 Leaves Café, a Vietnamese coffee chain, has expanded to over 40 locations nationwide since its first opening in 2011, highlighting the popularity of Vietnamese coffee abroad. In London, UK, places like Caphe House offer a variety of Vietnamese coffee options to customers, including egg coffee.