Vietnamese salt coffee has recently become a popular drink on social media platforms. According to CNN Travel, numerous articles are appearing on social media, sharing how to order this unique drink originating from Vietnam at major coffee chains in the US. The drink that diners are eagerly seeking is salt coffee.

Ca Phe Muoi (Salt Coffee) - a small, unassuming coffee shop in the ancient capital of Hue - is known as the birthplace of this beverage. Salt coffee is crafted by adding sweetened condensed milk to Vietnamese coffee and topping it with salty cream. It can be enjoyed hot or iced.

"We created salt coffee in 2010 when we opened our first shop at 10 Nguyen Luong Bang Street. The combination of condensed milk and salt softens the bitterness of the coffee and balances the sweetness of the condensed milk," Ho Thi Thanh Huong and co-founder Tran Nguyen Huu Phong told CNN Travel.

Initially, Hue residents were accustomed to drinking black coffee with sugar or condensed milk, so salt coffee was considered unusual. However, the first customers were willing to try it and provided feedback, for which Huong and Phong were very grateful.

Salt coffee quickly became a specialty drink representing the ancient capital, and soon other cafes across Vietnam started serving it. After the Covid-19 pandemic, the popularity of this unique coffee soared even more. “In Hue, salted coffee has become a daily drink like black or brown coffee, significantly impacting our business,” said Ms. Huong.

The sweetened condensed milk balances the bitterness of the coffee, while the salt enhances the sweetness, similar to how adding a pinch of salt to caramel intensifies the flavor.

However, Vietnam is not the only place that adds salt to coffee. In 2023, an article in Bon Appetit recommended adding salt to coffee to reduce bitterness and enhance flavor.

Traditional Vietnamese coffee is brewed in a metal filter, with 1-2 spoons of sweetened condensed milk added after filtering. Salt coffee is just one of many Vietnamese coffee specialties that surprise diners. According to a 2023 report by global market research firm Mintel, consumers outside Asia are increasingly interested in new coffee experiences and flavors.

Do An