How to Brew 500ml of High-Quality Vietnamese Coffee at Home

Have you ever wondered how coffee shops serve so many cups of filtered coffee so quickly? Unless you order a black filter coffee, drinks like Bac Xiu or Iced Brown Coffee typically use pre-extracted coffee to speed up the service. But how do they ensure consistent quality across 100 cups of coffee?

Today, I'll show you how to extract 500ml of rich, flavorful Vietnamese coffee in one go using a 200-gram aluminium coffee filter. This method guarantees a consistent, high-quality brew every time.

200 gram coffee filter

Two Common Preparation Methods:

  • For 200 grams of coffee, extract 400ml of coffee essence.

  • For 250 grams of coffee, extract 500ml of coffee essence.

Tools You’ll Need:

  • Stopwatch (or phone timer)

  • Electronic scale

  • 200-gram aluminium coffee filter

  • Spoon

Step-by-Step Brewing Process:

Step 1: Preheat the Filter

Rinse all parts of the coffee filter with hot water to:

  • Sterilize the filter.

  • Maintain a consistent brewing temperature.

  • Reduce coffee residue after extraction.

Step 2: Prepare the Coffee

Place 250 grams of ground coffee into a large bowl.

Step 3: First Bloom

  • Add 150-200ml of boiling water (98-100°C) to the ground coffee.

  • Watch as the coffee blooms, releasing its aroma and allowing the coffee to soak in the hot water. 

During the blooming step, if the coffee grounds aren't evenly saturated, some areas may remain dry while others are wet, leading to uneven extraction. To fix this, add a little more hot water as needed to ensure all the coffee grounds bloom evenly.

Step 4: Mix and Load the Filter

  • Stir the coffee gently with a spoon to ensure all grounds are evenly dampened.

  • Add the coffee grounds into the filter and close the lid.

Stir the coffee gently

Step 5: First Extraction

  • Use the compressor to press the coffee evenly.

  • Pour 300-400ml of hot water to fill the filter.

  • Close the lid and let the coffee extract for 20-30 minutes.

Step 6: Second Extraction

  • Open the lid and pour in 100-150ml of hot water.

  • Close the lid and brew for another 15 minutes or until extraction is complete.

Yield and Usage

You’ll end up with 500ml of rich Vietnamese coffee, enough for 12 servings (40ml per cup).

Quick Recipe for Vietnamese Iced Coffee:

  1. Combine 30ml condensed milk with 40ml coffee.

  2. Add crushed ice, mix well, and enjoy!

Storage Tips:

  • Store black coffee in a sealed glass jar in the fridge at 5-7°C for up to 2-3 days.

  • Avoid pre-mixing coffee with milk, sugar, or other ingredients.

  • Always use the same type of high-quality coffee for consistency.

Conclusion

Consistency in coffee quality, brewing method, and tools ensures a rich, balanced flavour every time. Depending on the coffee, some absorb the water better than others, which could also affect the water ratio. While freshly brewed coffee is ideal, this method allows you to prepare ahead and enjoy delicious Vietnamese coffee on demand.

Stay tuned for more tutorials on coffee brewing and mixing tips in upcoming posts!

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Exploring Vietnam: A Journey of Culture, Cuisine, and Coffee

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Vietnam’s Coffee Trends for 2024: What’s Brewing?