Late night coffee is now an integral part of Southeast Asian culture. Various coffee shops to modern cafes can be found in the corners of cities in Southeast Asia. Different types of coffee with different presentations are an attractive choice for any coffee lover.
However, authentic coffee from Southeast Asian countries has not lost its popularity. In fact, these coffees are famous in various countries for their deliciousness. Based on a report from Tasteatlas, this article discusses coffees whose popularity crosses national borders.
9. Kopi Terbalik, Indonesia
Kopi Terbalik, also known as kupi khop, is a unique type of coffee from Aceh, Indonesia. Served in a unique way, this coffee is brewed and poured into a glass upside down on a plate. The glass is then turned upside down (terbalik), with the coffee in the saucer and the glass on top, and sipped through a straw. This way of serving coffee has become a popular tradition in Aceh, and drinking Kopi Terbalik has become a trend in Indonesia.
The coffee is made from a blend of Robusta and Arabica coffee beans grown in the highlands of Aceh, and is brewed in a traditional manner using a cloth strainer to give it a unique taste and aroma. The drink is popular in small coffee shops and street vendors in Aceh and is gaining recognition in other parts of Indonesia, attracting tourists visiting Aceh.
8. Vietnamese Yogurt Coffee, Vietnam
Vietnamese Yogurt Coffee is a unique coffee drink popular in Vietnam. Like coffee, yogurt was introduced by the French and adapted into Vietnamese culinary culture. It is made by mixing plain yogurt with condensed milk or coffee and toppings such as fresh mango or fermented rice.
The drink can be served cold or hot, with some variations adding a squeeze of lemon for a fresh touch. To make this drink, the ingredients can be blended or whipped to the desired consistency. Its unique flavor and distinct composition of ingredients make it a popular drink.
7. Kopi Joss, Indonesia
Kopi Joss is a unique coffee beverage from Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The brewing process involves adding a piece of burnt charcoal to a cup of coffee during the brewing process. The charcoal used is made from coconut shells and is known to have health benefits, including reducing toxins in the body.
The "joss" sound created when the charcoal meets the coffee is the origin of the drink's name. Kopi Joss has a unique flavor with a slight smoky note and a slight sweetness. The drink is popular in Yogyakarta and is usually sold by street vendors and small coffee shops. Kopi Joss is an attraction for tourists who want to try something new while visiting Yogyakarta.
6. Egg Coffee, Vietnam
Vietnamese egg coffee, or cà phê trúng, is a unique coffee drink made from Vietnamese coffee mixed with whipped egg yolk, sugar and condensed milk. The drink has a thick and creamy texture, like tiramisu without the cake. Popular in Vietnam, egg coffee is often served in small coffee shops and is an attraction for tourists who want to try a new and unique coffee drinking experience.
Nguyen Giang, a bartender in Hanoi, invented egg coffee in the late 1940s when milk was in short supply in Vietnam. To solve the problem, he used egg yolks and sugar instead of milk in the coffee. This innovation created an interesting coffee drink with a distinctive taste. With its growing popularity, Vietnamese Egg Coffee has become an appreciated drink in Vietnam, especially in small coffee shops and street vendors.
5. Kopi Luwak, Indonesia
Kopi Luwak has a long history, dating back to the 1700s when the Dutch opened coffee plantations in Sumatra and Java. Local legend has it that the Dutch colonialists forbade local farmers from harvesting coffee beans for their own use. Later, locals noticed the behavior of wild mongooses eating ripe coffee fruits and excreting coffee beans. They then collected the beans to brew into coffee. These coffee beans are then collected, cleaned and roasted into Kopi Luwak.
Although known as the rarest and most expensive gourmet coffee in the world, a pound of this coffee can cost hundreds of US dollars, there are concerns about the welfare of the mongoose used in this production process. Some producers have turned to cage farming to meet international demand, but this also raises animal rights concerns.
4. Kopi Tubruk, Indonesia
Kopi Tubruk is a popular Indonesian-style coffee drink made by pouring hot water directly into a glass containing fine coffee grounds without filtering, usually with added sugar. The drink was introduced to Indonesia by traders from the Middle East and is popular in Yogyakarta and Central Java, where it can be found in most coffee shops.
The coffee beans used are well ground, sometimes using instant coffee without sugar or milk. The ground coffee beans are then mixed with boiling water. Tubruk coffee is usually served in a clear glass, and since no filter is used, the used coffee grounds settle to the bottom of the glass.
3. Vietnamese Coffee, Vietnam
Vietnamese coffee is a popular coffee drink from Vietnam, a country that is also the second largest coffee producer in the world after Brazil. Vietnamese coffee uses locally grown Robusta coffee beans, resulting in a strong and dark coffee. Occasionally, coffee beans undergo roasting with a delightful blend of butter, sugar, and the adventurous touch of cocoa and vanilla. The drink is usually served with added sugar to balance the bitterness.
The coffee is brewed using Vietnamese Phin filters, which give the coffee its distinctive flavor. Vietnamese coffee can be enjoyed hot or cold, and is often served over ice. It is one of Vietnam's famous culinary exports and has become part of people's lifestyle.
2. Vietnamese Iced Coffee, Vietnam
Vietnamese iced coffee is a drink that combines the richness of coffee, the sweetness of condensed milk, and the refreshing sensation of ice. Traditionally, medium or coarse-ground Vietnamese coffee, especially the Robusta variety, is brewed with a drip filter, where the coffee is slowly infused into the cup.
Usually served in a tall glass, the famous Vietnamese iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk (cà phê sữa đá) is an incomparable pleasure. For coffee lovers who prefer simplicity, there is also a fresh and refreshing non-dairy version (cà phê đá).
1. Ipoh White Coffee, Malaysia
Ipoh White Coffee is a popular coffee drink from Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia. This drink is a traditional Malaysian coffee sweetened with condensed milk. The coffee beans for Ipoh White Coffee are roasted with palm oil margarine to give it a unique taste and aroma.
Traditionally served hot, this coffee can also be enjoyed cold. Despite the name "white coffee", the color of this coffee is not actually white, but refers to the roasting method that results in a lighter color. It is known for its smooth texture, body and distinctive aroma. Ipoh White Coffee is served hot in small porcelain cups and is often enjoyed with rich toast. Ipoh White Coffee has gained popularity in Malaysia, creating a network of famous cafes throughout the country.
