Vietnam has been called a ‘coffee lover’s paradise’ among other complementary nicknames. The unique taste of Vietnam coffee differs so much from Brazil coffee or coffees from elsewhere in the world.
How it used to be in Vietnam, at one time, was under France’s control. It was a French-ruled country. The coffee of Vietnam and the culture of Vietnamese coffee comes from French influence. From the plantations to the cafes in Vietnam are all built in large part from French philosophies and French culture first instilled in the nation hundreds of years ago.
The charm, loving taste of Vietnamese coffee beans
Vietnamese coffee comes in many forms, the most popular is one created from the Robusta coffee bean. The bitter taste of the coffee here is solely attributed to Robusta beans which are more easily cultivated in this region than Arabica. The weather conditions and soil are ideal for Robusta, the reason why approximately 97% of the coffee plantations in Vietnam cultivate Robusta beans.
The rise of Vietnamese coffee from the 1990s to today
An economic liberalization hit the Vietnamese region in the 1990s. At this time, foreign investors poured into the country much like how a fresh brew of Vietnamese coffee pours into a heated cup. In this period, a lot of international coffee companies swarmed into Vietnam trying to cultivate relationships with plantations and crafting part of the market for themselves. It wasn’t long before Vietnam rose to being the world’s second biggest coffee producing country, only behind Brazil.
Read more: Coffee Culture in Vietnam and How to Brew Vietnamese-Style Coffee
New Year rice cakes, also known as ‘banh tet’, are a popular icon of Vietnamese culinary traditions. They are an expression of Vietnam’s national identity, representing culture and nationalism to a degree.
Read more: What Are Vietnamese New Year Rice Cakes – An Icon of Cultural Expression and Identity
Broken rice was once called a ‘poor man’s rice’. It was looked down upon in a big way for years. These days, you will find broken rice in almost every dish from those served in school to kids to upper-class meals in a Vietnamese restaurant.
Vietnam is blessed to have its own unique collection of fresh herbs that are rare or unknown among Canadians and the Western world. In Vietnam, these herbs are grown routinely for a variety of purposes – some medicinal, some for our cuisine, and otherwise. This is a short introduction to some Vietnamese herbs used in cooking and medicine that Canadians and Torontonians may not be aware of.
Read more: Cultivate these Fresh Vietnamese Herbs used in Vietnamese Restaurants Across Canada
Toronto’s become a more health-conscious place, with every person seemingly leading a lot healthier lives than past generations have. Vietnamese cuisine has always worked well in the healthy eating trend as it’s largely a diet centered on a lot of greens and veggies, high in fibre, with strong energy-building carbs, and it’s easy on the stomach.
Read more: Why Vietnamese is the Perfect Bridge between Health Fanaticism and Comfort Eating
Street food in Vietnam easily sits among the best street food in the world. It’s unforgettably delicious and is comparable to any family recipes passed down through the generations. Local markets, rustic food joints, and mobile food carts all play a role in crafting a very healthy street food industry across Vietnam. Here is some of the more simple, uncomplicated street food in Vietnam, brought to Canada with a Western flair!
Oc
Oc is sea snails. Though popular in Vietnam, these are unlikely to be feature in Canada just because the seas are different. Snail restaurants with fresh snails and shellfish are very common within Vietnam, similar to what you may find on the Atlantic or Pacific coast. Oc can be cooked by frying, streaming, sautéing, or grilling.
Banh mi
Banh mi is a French baguette sandwich, sort of like a Vietnamese interpretation of a sub. You’ll find banh mi packing elements like pickled vegetables, fresh chili, coriander, and meat of course. Banh mi is on street corners everywhere in Vietnam and is highly popular among the local population. Egg, chicken, meatballs, and more – take your pick.
Che
Che is a Vietnamese sweet dessert which comes in many different kinds of colors, flavors, and forms. Some will enjoy it as a pudding while others will prefer it as a drink or soup. Che is a word without strict definition, to a degree. It is more or less a common mish-mash of coconut milk, sweetened beans, rice, colorful jellies, fruits, and more. These are sort of like a Vietnamese ice cream-esque beverage that goes down great on a hot day.
Read more: The Best Vietnamese Street Food with History Carried Over From Vietnam to Canada
More Articles ...
- 5 Vietnamese Dishes You May Not Have Ever Heard Of But Which Are Absolutely Delicious
- Where Does Vietnamese Flan Come From – See How This Silky Sweet Treat is Made
- What is the Best Vietnamese Cookbook for Beginners to Vietnamese Cooking – read here!
- Using Tofu as Imitation Meat in Vietnamese Cooking – What’s It Made From and How It’s Used
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