Forget everything you thought you knew about coffee—Vietnam just threw a pinch of salt in the mix, and social media can’t get enough. Meet salted coffee, the unexpected twist satisfying bold taste buds and breaking out of Vietnam’s borders, one viral video at a time.
The Humble Origins of a Trend
Imagine walking into an unpretentious little coffee shop in the historic city of Hue. Back in 2010, Ho Thi Thanh Huong and Tran Nguyen Huu Phong decided to set up just such a place, aiming to offer “something different to attract customers,” as they revealed to American media. They weren’t after glitz—just a unique experience for coffee lovers willing to venture off the beaten path.
Their secret weapon? A revamped version of the classic Vietnamese coffee: cà phê muối, or salted coffee. This isn’t simply a brown brew with sugar cubes on the side. Instead, salty, creamy magic happens in the cup: a combination of sweetened condensed milk and rich, salted cream layered atop robust Vietnamese coffee. The result can be sipped hot or cold—perfect for those who take their caffeine with a side of curiosity.
A Sip of Science…and a Bit of Bravery
Let’s be honest: replacing sugar with salt in coffee sounds almost rebellious. Yet, if the numbers of adventurous customers lining up are anything to go by, the gamble more than paid off. What draws people in isn’t just novelty—it’s the flavor explosion. According to the creative baristas in Hue, the added salt “creates a creamy blend that softens the bitterness of the coffee and balances the sweetness of the condensed milk.”
It turns out, salt is more than just the grand finale on culinary creations. Three decades ago, scientific research showed that sodium ions bind to receptors on our taste buds, preventing our brains from registering excessive bitterness. That’s why a pinch of salt can save a cup from the dreaded over-brewing blues and is, in fact, the finishing touch in dishes worldwide. Coffee addicts everywhere can thank these inventive Vietnamese baristas for providing a new way to tame a too-bitter brew.
How Much Salt Is Too Much?
The exact measure of salt you need remains an insider secret. The shop owners guard their recipe, leaving aspiring home baristas to rely on a bit of experimentation—and, for safety’s sake, a light hand with the salt shaker. After all, an avalanche of salt would end in disaster rather than delight. Medical news outlet Allo docteurs reminds us of moderation: too much salt ups the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, so sprinkle wisely, not wildly.
Here’s a basic salted coffee recipe, for the kitchen daredevils:
- 15g Vietnamese coffee
- 80g hot water (bloom it first, for the connoisseurs)
- 20g sweetened condensed milk
- 0.5g salt (just a hint!)
- 50ml heavy whipping cream (35%)
Blend and enjoy! Remember: in salted coffee, less is definitely more.
Vietnam’s Coffee Scene: Tradition Meets Trend
For Vietnam, coffee isn’t just a drink—it’s almost sacred. Second only to Brazil in global coffee exports, the little bean has become part of everyday life, revered in both narrow alleyway stalls and fancy urban cafés. Introducing a salted twist to coffee wasn’t a tough sell in a country so enamored with its caffeine rituals.
In record time, salted coffee climbed to fame in Hue, earning its spot as the city’s emblematic drink. Its popularity spilled beyond local cafés: the beverage was bottled so that enthusiasts all over Vietnam could get a taste. Major players, like Starbucks outlets within the country, caught on and started offering their own spin on cà phê muối as of last May.
And the craze didn’t stop at Vietnam’s borders. Thanks to platforms like TikTok, coffee fans worldwide started sharing their salted coffee experiments. One content creator, known as “anguswannnn,” whipped up their own interpretation for millions of fascinated viewers. Comments raved: “That looks incredible,” and “You actually got me off the couch to make one myself!”
Vietnam’s adventurous coffee culture isn’t new—egg coffee and coconut coffee are also quite the rage. Daring palates are rewarded here. But lately, salted coffee is the star, offering a creamy, balanced alternative to sugar-heavy blends and giving coffee lovers something truly different to talk about—and taste.
Curious about the hype? Why not try a pinch of salt in your next cup and see whether you join the ranks of the converted? Just remember—easy on the salt, hard on the enthusiasm. Your taste buds (and your social feed) might just thank you.
Iveta is an aspiring journalist with a passion for storytelling and a deep love for coffee. Always curious and creative, she dreams of sharing stories that inspire, inform, and connect people around the world
