What is Vietnamese Avocado Coffee?
How to Make It, Its Benefits, and My Personal Taste Experience
Hello everyone!
In this week’s blog, I want to introduce you to another unique and delicious Vietnamese coffee creation. When people think of Vietnamese coffee, the first thing that often comes to mind is cà phê sữa đá (Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk). Over time, other varieties like cà phê trứng (egg coffee), cà phê dừa (coconut coffee), and cà phê muối (salted coffee) have gained popularity, not only in Vietnam but also internationally in places like Indonesia and the Philippines. The world of coffee continues to evolve, with new and creative ways of enjoying this beloved drink.
However, amidst these well-known variations, there is one incredibly delicious and fascinating type of Vietnamese coffee that remains lesser-known but is absolutely worth trying: Cà Phê Bơ – Avocado Coffee. This week, let’s take a deep dive into this unique drink, how to make it, its benefits, and my personal experience with it!
What is Avocado Coffee?
I first heard about avocado coffee in passing during my travels. As a child, before I ever drank coffee, avocado smoothies were one of my favourite beverages. Not to mention, a simple yet delicious dessert that I loved was mashing ripe avocado with condensed milk and enjoying it with crushed ice—a quick and refreshing treat, especially in Vietnam’s hot climate.
Avocado coffee was one of the specialities in the Central Highlands provinces like Dak Lak, Gia Lai, Lam Dong and Kontum. These are the places known for harvesting and producing coffee and avocado. That is how this unique drink was created by the locals from simply combine these two agricultural delicacies. It wasn’t until my recent trip to Đà Lạt that I finally tried avocado coffee, and it turned out to be an unforgettable experience.
Avocado coffee is a unique and innovative creation, perfect for coffee lovers looking to explore new flavours. It offers the perfect balance of energy and creaminess, blending the rich caffeine boost from coffee with the smooth, buttery texture of avocado. The result is a velvety, indulgent drink that is both visually stunning and packed with nutrients.
Did you know that a café in Australia once introduced an avocado coffee variation called the Avolatte? It quickly became trendy, and now many cafés around the world have added their own versions of this creamy, coffee-infused delight to their menus.
How to Make Vietnamese Avocado Coffee at Home
One of the best things about avocado coffee is that it’s incredibly easy to make at home. It doesn’t require fancy equipment or complicated techniques—just a few simple ingredients and a blender!
Ingredients
20g Vietnamese coffee (either Robusta or Arabica)
½ ripe avocado
30ml condensed milk
15ml vanilla essence (optional, but adds a nice aroma)
Crushed ice
Equipment Needed
Vietnamese phin filter (for traditional brewing)
Blender or hand mixer
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Avocado
Wash the avocado, cut it in half, remove the pit and skin, then slice it into smaller pieces. This will make blending easier and create a smoother texture.
2. Brew the Vietnamese Coffee
Add 20g of ground coffee into the phin filter.
Pour 30ml of hot water over the coffee grounds and let them bloom for about 30 seconds.
Press the filter gently, then slowly pour another 60ml of hot water in a circular motion until the filter is full.
Cover the filter and wait for the coffee to drip completely. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
3. Blend Everything Together
In a blender, combine the brewed coffee, avocado slices, condensed milk, vanilla essence, and crushed ice.
Blend until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and well combined.
4. Serve and Enjoy
Pour the avocado coffee into a glass.
Optionally, garnish with shredded coconut or some leftover avocado for extra texture and flavour.
Enjoy immediately!
Tips for Making the Perfect Avocado Coffee
To ensure your avocado coffee is as creamy and delicious as possible, here are some useful tips to keep in mind:
How to Choose the Best Avocado for Coffee
Look for light green skin – Avocados with a uniform, smooth green skin (without cracks or blemishes) are usually the best quality.
Check the texture – Avoid avocados that are too hard (unripe) or overly soft (overripe). A good avocado should yield slightly to gentle pressure.
Inspect the inside – Once peeled, the flesh should be bright green or yellow, without dark spots or signs of spoilage.
What If You Don’t Have a Blender?
No worries! You can still enjoy avocado coffee the traditional way in Vietnam:
Mash the avocado with condensed milk using a fork until it reaches a smooth consistency.
Stir in your brewed coffee, then mix well with milk or ice.
Enjoy your homemade avocado coffee, no blender required!
This method creates a slightly different texture but still delivers that rich, creamy taste. Try both versions and see which one you like best!
The Health Benefits of Avocado Coffee
Aside from being delicious, avocado coffee is actually quite nutritious and beneficial. Here’s why this drink is worth trying:
1. A Natural Energy Booster
The caffeine in Vietnamese coffee provides a strong energy boost, keeping you alert and focused throughout the day.
Unlike regular coffee, the addition of avocado slows down caffeine absorption, helping to sustain energy levels for a longer period.
2. Packed with Essential Nutrients
Avocados are loaded with vitamins C, E, K, B6, and minerals like magnesium and potassium.
These nutrients support brain function, heart health, and muscle recovery.
3. Good for Digestion and Weight Management
Avocados contain healthy fats and fiber, which help keep you full for longer and reduce unnecessary cravings.
This makes avocado coffee a great option for those looking to manage their appetite while still enjoying a satisfying treat.
4. Promotes Healthy Skin
The antioxidants in coffee and avocados help fight free radicals, reducing skin ageing and keeping your complexion glowing.
My Personal Avocado Coffee Experience in Đà Lạt
The first time I tried avocado coffee was during a trip to Đà Lạt, a beautiful highland city famous for its cool climate and rich coffee culture. We stumbled upon a cozy little café, with wooden furniture and a warm, inviting atmosphere. Even better, the café had two adorable cats roaming around, adding to the charm of the place.
That evening, we were playing board games with friends, enjoying the relaxing ambiance before they had to catch their bus back to Saigon, while we had an early flight to Hanoi the next morning. With the chilly Đà Lạt night breeze outside, sipping on a smooth, creamy avocado coffee felt like the perfect way to wind down.
When my drink arrived, I was immediately intrigued—it had a beautiful green hue, topped with shredded coconut and a small pandan leaf for decoration. The flavors were rich, creamy, and well-balanced, blending the bold taste of coffee with the natural sweetness of avocado. However, I did notice that if you don’t drink it quickly, the avocado can start to oxidize and darken a bit, though this doesn’t affect the taste much.
However, for any of you who are interested in giving Avocado Coffee a try, I recommend visiting Duck Duck Goose to satisfy your curiosity.
I would rate my avocado coffee experience 7/10—it was definitely delicious, visually appealing, and fun to try, especially for those who enjoy sweet and creamy coffee drinks. Plus, knowing it’s packed with nutrients makes it an even better choice!
Would You Try Avocado Coffee?
Now that you know about Vietnamese Avocado Coffee, would you give it a try?
If you’re in Auckland, keep an eye out for Vietnamese cafés that might serve this unique drink. Otherwise, it’s super easy to make at home using the recipe above. If you do try it, I’d love to hear about your experience—let me know in the comments! 😊☕🥑
