Buzz
Silver lining coffee is one of the most unique beverages to emerge from Saigon, a harmonious blend of Chinese, Vietnamese, and French cultures. With its roots in the enduring Chinese community in Saigon, this coffee has a rich history that intertwines the three cultural influences.
The Chinese community in Saigon took early strides in the food and beverage business, especially in cafes. Affordable cafes became popular in Saigon, thanks to Chinese establishments offering breakfast items like Hu Tieu, Siu Mai, Bao Buns, and coffee.
Unlock the secrets of enjoying silver lining coffee with these simple steps.
In the early days of Saigon's coffee scene, it was commonly referred to as “cà phé”. Nowadays, when you step into a café, you might catch a whisper of “phé nại” (milk coffee). For me, finding a delicious and authentic cup of bạc xỉu coffee, reminiscent of old Saigon, requires a visit to those quaint coffee shops brewing coffee with traditional clay pots.
The distinctive earthy-toned clay pots are crafted in the pottery village of Binh Duong.
In today's Saigon, only a handful of places maintain the art of brewing coffee with bamboo filters and clay pots. Among them, the most renowned are perhaps Mr. Thanh's coffee shop on Tan Phuoc Street (District 11, near Thiếc Market) and Cheo Leo café in Alley 109 Nguyen Thien Thuat (District 3).
The earthy-toned clay pots, once widely used for brewing Northern herbal medicine, were produced by the famous pottery villages in Vietnam, including Lái Thiêu in Binh Duong province, renowned for its rich tradition of pottery making.
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Experience the art of filter coffee at Cheo Leo café.
It's intriguing how the Chinese community in old Saigon ingeniously embraced the 'kho' coffee technique using this extraordinary clay pot. After the brewing process, they would keep the coffee warm on a wood-fired stove using the same pot.
In contrast to the Western-style coffee brewing at temperatures around 95 degrees, the water used for filter coffee in the 'kho' style is heated to nearly 100 degrees. This unique process, along with the aroma of burnt wood and the way the drink is kept warm on the stove, imparts a distinct and aromatic quality to the coffee. It creates a flavor profile that stands apart from Western drip or phin brewing.
In the bygone era of Saigon, coffee enthusiasts from the middle class and above would patiently await the sacred drip of phin coffee in luxurious establishments. Meanwhile, the common folk in Saigon of that time would perch on makeshift seats or sit cross-legged, anticipating a cup of bamboo-filtered coffee with a distinctive and robust aroma.
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In the bustling markets of Chợ Lớn during the 1970s, it was a challenge to spot the presence of a traditional coffee filter in any beverage stall. The working class had no leisure to sit and count each 'drop of time falling to the bottom of the cup.'
It was from these bamboo-filter coffee shops that bạc xỉu and condensed milk coffee emerged. During that time, fresh milk was considered a premium commodity, rare and challenging to acquire in the common neighborhoods. In contrast, sweetened condensed milk with brand names like Ông Thọ or Con Chim (short for Nestle's brand) became deeply integrated into the lives of the majority, partly due to its affordability and easy storage.
In the nostalgic memories of old Saigon, bạc xỉu coffee was the drink for children accompanying their fathers to the café. Young ones couldn't handle the black coffee like their fathers, but the aroma of coffee was too alluring. Later, when women began frequenting cafés, bạc xỉu became their 'bridge' to milk coffee or simply a fragrant coffee option to feel closer to their coffee companions.
Even today, bạc xỉu remains a wonderful drink for kids learning to enjoy coffee or for women averse to the strong bitterness of freshly ground coffee. Many places sell iced bạc xỉu incorrectly, as the ratio of coffee to milk is minimal, and only when consumed hot does it release the enticing aroma of coffee. In contrast, a cup of milk coffee is richer in coffee than bạc xỉu and can be enjoyed both hot and iced.
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The residents of Saigon embrace and selectively incorporate the best aspects of various cultures, creating a product tailored to this region. Bạc xỉu coffee or iced milk coffee 'made in Saigon' has the power to captivate hearts locally and globally. After all, Italy's café latte is essentially coffee blended with fresh milk.
Brewing a delightful bạc xỉu coffee is both an art and a challenge. I often seek out bamboo-filter coffee shops to enjoy a true bạc xỉu, as these vendors have perfected this drink for over half a decade. They can effortlessly create a well-balanced cup, blending the bitter notes of coffee with the sweet richness of condensed milk, all while infusing the distinctive aroma of wood-fired stoves, invoking beautiful memories of home.
If you get the chance, try dipping a piece of deep-fried doughstick or a crispy sesame rice cake into your bạc xỉu, just like how the working-class people of old Saigon used to enjoy it. You'll find this eating style irresistibly delicious and captivating.
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Some even refer to this drink as “bạc xỉu” or “bạc tẩy xỉu phé” (hot milk with a hint of coffee). The Chinese patrons at Mr. Thanh's café near Thiếc Market often call it “pạc xỉu” or “phé nại.” Regardless of the name, the essence of this beverage remains consistent: plenty of milk and a touch of coffee.
Perfecting the art of brewing exquisite bạc xỉu coffee.
1. Crafting the most heavenly iced bạc xỉu coffee.
Prepare about 30g of pure coffee grounds. Let the coffee steep with 10ml of boiling water until it's evenly saturated, then pour an additional 100ml of boiling water into the filter. Wait until all the water has filtered through.
The art of sipping on bạc xỉu coffee
2. Crafting an irresistibly delightful hot bạc xỉu coffee.
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Brewing hot bạc xỉu coffee follows the same principles as preparing iced bạc xỉu coffee.
3. Innovating with a unique coconut-infused bạc xỉu coffee recipe.
The art of sipping on bạc xỉu
Brewing coconut-infused bạc xỉu coffee follows the same principles as preparing iced and hot bạc xỉu coffee.
It's evident that the way we enjoy bạc xỉu coffee has evolved and adapted significantly to meet the demands of modern life. Whether in the past or present, bạc xỉu is still regarded as the soul of Saigon, preserved and thriving to this day. Those who savor bạc xỉu seem to be creating a personal sanctuary, reminiscing about the old and cherished moments.
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Furthermore, to capture those memories and savor the authentic taste of Saigon's heritage bạc xỉu coffee, choose the pure and refined coffee beans from NEOCafe.
This article provides intriguing insights into the world of bạc xỉu coffee at Quán Cafe. What are you waiting for? Get the ingredients and embark on crafting a delightful cup of bạc xỉu coffee right away!
Posted by: Hy's Chung's Dương's
Keywords: Have you mastered the art of sipping on bạc xỉu?
