Vietnamese coffee is simply the best: strong, dark coffee softened by sweetened condensed milk.  It’s a unique flavor and the softest possible landing in the morning.

Making it couldn’t be easier.  You’ll need ground coffee, sweetened condensed milk, and a Vietnamese coffee maker.  The makers can be had for under $4 from any of the Vietnamese markets down on Washington Avenue.  (More on them soon!)

The Vietnamese coffee maker isn’t much, just a filter and a screw-in press.  Drop in a a bit of coffee, tamp it down, then unscrew the press almost all of the way — you’re ready to go!

A few notes:

Just as when tamping espresso, the press has a sweet spot.  Press the coffee too much and it’ll run slowly or get stuck; press the coffee too little and it’ll taste thin.  You can jiggle the press or coffee maker to restart a stuck filtration.  Use a dark roast, like Café du Monde—the budget option at the Vietnamese markets. 

Don’t open the can of sweetened condensed milk all the way.  Make two diametrically opposite cuts with your can opener, one larger than the other; then bend the larger one open as a spout, leaving the small one as a vent.  Just rest the can on the rim of the glass, spout-end in.  As the can runs low, it may take a second for the can to find its balance.  I keep my can in the fridge with a bit of plastic wrap over it.

Vietnamese coffee (for one)

2T ground coffee (dark roast)
2T sweetened condensed milk, or to taste

1. Heat 1 cup of water to the boil.  This takes two minutes in my microwave, which is ample time for the next two steps.
2. Add the condensed milk to a glass that fits your coffee maker (and the forthcoming coffee!).  This is easiest with a can that has a spout and an air vent, which you can rest on the edge of the glass.
3. Put the coffee into your coffee maker, screwing the press down until the coffee is packed.  Unscrew the press until it’s just barely screwed in.  Set the coffee maker on top of your glass.
4. Fill your coffee maker with water, letting it percolate through.  When it’s run dry, fill it again.
5. Mix, savor, and feel a little more awake.

As it gets warmer, try pouring the mixed coffee over ice!

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