Coffee, coffee, coffee

The Vietnamese from the bean to the cup passionately love their coffee. Often we found ourselves wandering around the streets of the towns and cities, past posh and swanky and not so posh and swanky cafes and see the same thing...all manner of people drinking ice cold, vietnamese coffee. It seems to signify a social chat, a (long) break from work or just a relaxing way of watching the world go by. The Vietnamese love their coffee strong, with 2.5 times more caffeine in a cup of coffee, it makes the UK's coffee weak in comparison. This stuff makes you shake!!! But does work perfectly as a morning pick-me-up. Coffee is served throughout the country hot and cold and usually with condensed milk that makes it very sweet.

Vietnam is the second biggest exporter of coffee in the world and has a number of huge coffee plantations growing Mocha and Robusta beans, some of which we saw and tasted on our easy rider tour in the central highlands.

Robusta Coffee beans growing

When the beans are red they are ready to pick

A selection of Vietnam's coffee delights

The famous Weasel Poo Coffee

Drinking the delightful Weasel Poo Coffee

If in doubt, ask a Vietnamese war veteran to make it for you and allow him to educate you with his stories from the war, even if it is largely through a phrasebook.

Made to perfection!