The coffee workshop attracted many foreign visitors who came to participate and experience it. Photo: Thu Cúc

Rich and flavorful

In the cool, green space of a riverside garden house, a group of foreign tourists nodded and listened attentively as Nguyen Thi Thu Cuc, the founder of Hue Experience, shared the history of coffee. From its initial introduction to the invention of the coffee filter and the creativity of the Vietnamese people in combining coffee with local ingredients, each story was a vivid piece of the puzzle about Vietnamese coffee beans.

Ms. Cúc said: “I have been involved with coffee cultivation since my family moved to Dak Lak to start a new life. From that love, and with the desire to spread Vietnamese coffee culture to international friends, I have poured my heart and soul into building this workshop.”

While most foreign visitors are familiar with the tangy acidity of arabica beans, in Vietnam, robusta beans are roasted with butter, sometimes with a touch of fish sauce, creating a distinctly bitter taste and aroma reminiscent of chocolate.

Ms. Cúc shared: “From these beans, the workshop will take visitors on a journey to discover four distinctive types of coffee: filter coffee, salted coffee, egg coffee, and coconut coffee. More than just a beverage, each type is associated with a specific region and its own historical story of Vietnamese coffee.”

Under Ms. Cúc's guidance, visitors begin to familiarize themselves with the traditional coffee filter, meticulously waiting for each drop of coffee to fall. Then, on their journey to discover the flavors of salted coffee, egg coffee, and coconut coffee, guests will transform into baristas, measuring spoonfuls of sugar, milliliters of milk, and even grams of salt, while listening to stories about the regions where these unique coffees originated.

Attractive

At the workshop, each visitor can personally brew a cup of rich, aromatic black filter coffee with its characteristic bitter taste. This is followed by the experience of the bitterness blended with the creamy richness of egg coffee, or the cool, creamy, and refreshing combination of coconut coffee.

Ms. Cúc further shared: “The workshop also fully conveyed the story and flavor of salted coffee, a unique creation from Hue. From this land of sunshine and wind, the blend of salty, sweet, and bitter flavors with a creamy topping creates a drink with depth, bearing the distinctive character of the ancient capital.”

After nearly a year in operation, Hue Experience's coffee workshop has quickly become an attractive stop for international tourists.

Excited to experience the brewing process for the first time, Nancy Hennis Smith, a tourist from the United States, shared: “I’m used to machine-brewed coffee, so experiencing Vietnamese coffee brewing firsthand was a truly special feeling. From measuring each spoonful of coffee, pouring boiling water, waiting for the coffee to drip from the filter, to whisking the egg yolks… every step required patience and meticulousness. This experience not only brought a sense of relaxation but also made me overjoyed when I enjoyed the cup of coffee I had brewed myself.”

Meanwhile, British tourist Jack Sterling was completely captivated by the salted coffee. Surprised after his first sip, he said: “For me, the combination of the intense bitterness of the coffee, the rich creaminess of the milk, and the hint of salty sea salt created an explosive sensation on my taste buds. I never expected the flavor of salted coffee to be so superb and harmonious. Along with the coffee, I also got to hear stories about the people of Hue, about the lifestyle and beauty of the ancient capital – it was truly a wonderful experience!”

Beyond transforming aromatic robusta beans into exceptional cups of coffee, Hue Experience's coffee workshop also serves as a fascinating cultural exchange bridge. While spreading the allure of Vietnamese coffee culture through unique flavors, aromas, and stories, the workshop also contributes to promoting the beauty of the ancient capital to visitors from afar.

Mai Hue

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/du-lich/khach-tay-trai-nghiem-ca-phe-viet-164715.html