For years, robusta coffee beans have taken a backseat to arabica, the latter being the preferred bean by many. But by the 1990s, robusta production had seen rapid growth, from 28% to 44% of the world’s total coffee production [2]. Today, you’ll see tons of Vietnamese coffee brands on the market, with Cafely’s SaiGon OG Coffee rapidly gaining traction among coffee lovers.
Cafely, with roots in Vietnam, recently unveiled its collection of the best Vietnamese coffee. Aiming to showcase robusta’s bold flavors and strong caffeine kick, this collection includes three bold and powerful single-origin robusta beans and three decadent instant coffee mixes.
Explore Cafely’s Best-Selling Authentic Vietnamese Coffees
Using authentic specialty Vietnamese robusta coffee, these products are specially crafted to deliver the best-tasting brews with clean, lasting energy.
- SaiGon OG Coffee — Best Overall Vietnamese Coffee Beans
- BanMe Coffee — Strongest Vietnamese Peaberry Robusta Coffee
- DaLat Coffee — Boldest and Strongest Vietnamese Arabica Coffee
- Vietnamese Coffee 2.0 (Instant Milk Latte) — Best Overall Vietnamese Instant Coffee
- Vietnamese Coffee 2.0 (Instant Espresso) — Strongest Vietnamese Instant Coffee
- Vietnamese Coffee 2.0 (Instant Coconut Latte) — Best Dairy-Free Vietnamese Instant Coffee
1. SaiGon OG Coffee — Best Overall Vietnamese Coffee Beans
Why You’ll Love This Brew:
- Potent blend of Vietnamese coffee beans (robusta, arabica, and peaberry robusta)
- Uses ethically sourced, fair-trade, organic beans
- Has the bold intensity of robusta beans balanced by the smooth, citrusy notes of arabica, full-bodied with a velvety smooth finish
- Perfect for traditional phin filter, moka pot, French press, regular drip coffeemaker, and espresso
What Makes It Special:
The tastiest of Cafely’s coffee beans, SaiGon OG has this rich smoky and earthy flavors with deep chocolate notes on the first sip. As the coffee’s intensity mellows, it leaves behind the lingering sweet, citrusy undertones of the arabica beans.
2. BanMe Coffee — Strongest Vietnamese Peaberry Robusta Coffee
Why You’ll Love This Brew:
- Uses premium-grade, shade-grown, single-origin Vietnamese peaberry robusta
- Most caffeinated coffee in the collection, with a 2.7% caffeine content versus regular robusta (2.4%) and arabica (1.2%)
- Produces the boldest of flavors without too much acidity or bitterness
- Perfect for phin filter, French press, moka pot, espresso, regular drip coffeemaker, and vacuum pot
What Makes It Special:
This coffee is definitely not for the faint of heart. But if you love a highly caffeinated cup, then these are your beans. The explosion of flavors is just as intense as its caffeine kick, with its smoky and woody notes and hints of dark chocolate, black cherry, and syrup. This dark roast coffee is full-bodied with a very smooth finish.
3. DaLat Coffee — Boldest and Strongest Vietnamese Arabica Coffee
Why You’ll Love This Brew:
- Sourced from organically-grown, single-origin Vietnamese arabica beans
- Uses ethically-sourced, fair-trade coffee beans
- Has the complex flavor profile of arabica beans but with the caffeine kick Vietnamese coffee is known for
- Perfect for espresso, regular drip coffeemaker, Aeropress, pour-over, French press, percolator, and Moka pot
What Makes It Special:
This may be the “lightest” beans in Cafely’s collection, but it’s unlike other arabica beans on the market. Imagine the best arabica beans but with double the intensity of flavors and energy boost. This dark roast arabica is full-bodied with lingering flavor notes of blackberries and a sweet and smooth caramel-y finish.
4. Vietnamese Coffee 2.0 (Instant Milk Latte) — Best Overall Vietnamese Instant Coffee
Why You’ll Love This Brew:
- Uses authentic single-origin Vietnamese robusta and all-natural ingredients, perfect for health-conscious individuals
- Low-calorie, zero sugar, and uses organic monk fruit as a natural sweetener
- Contains 150 mg of caffeine per serving, producing a powerful energy boost without the shakes, the jitters, or the rapid heart thumps
- Makes the best hot and iced coffee
What Makes It Special:
Bold robusta flavors balanced by a smooth, creamy finish, this instant coffee mix gives you an authentic taste of Vietnam’s cà phê sữa nóng (hot coffee with condensed milk) or cà phê sữa dá (iced coffee with condensed milk). This single-serve is pretty versatile. It makes the best and most delicious morning cups at home, and it’s also perfect for outdoor activities like camping and hiking.
5. Vietnamese Coffee 2.0 (Instant Espresso) — Strongest Vietnamese Instant Coffee
Why You’ll Love This Brew:
- Uses authentic specialty Vietnamese robusta coffee sourced from fair-trade beans
- Convenient, high-caffeine single-serve packets perfect for home and office use
- Easy to make and quickly dissolves in hot and cold water
- Tastes like a freshly brewed cup
What Makes It Special:
If you enjoy a cup of strong black coffee, this one’s for you. One single-serve packet of this potent mix is equivalent to two shots of espresso! Crafted to deliver a boost of clean energy, you’re sure to enjoy enhanced focus and performance without the jitters.
6. Vietnamese Coffee 2.0 (Instant Coconut Latte) — Best Dairy-Free Vietnamese Instant Coffee
Why You’ll Love This Brew:
- Uses organic ingredients and authentic Vietnamese robusta coffee
- Dairy-free, lactose-free, gluten-free, vegan-friendly option, perfect for those with dietary restrictions
- Quick and easy to make, ready in seconds
- Versatile and makes a delicious hot or iced coffee with a tropical twist
What Makes It Special:
Are you on a diet but still want a good, creamy cup of coffee? Then this is your coffee. This instant coconut milk coffee is simply perfect for those with dietary restrictions. Not only does it have a low-calorie content and zero sugar, but it’s also dairy-free and lactose-free.
What Makes Vietnamese Robusta Coffee Stand Out?
There are several factors that make Vietnamese robusta coffee stand out. For one, it’s perfect for those who love highly caffeinated coffee. After all, robusta has double the caffeine content of arabica beans. An 8-oz cup of robusta coffee has around 209 mg of caffeine, while the same serving of arabica only has about 109 mg of caffeine [4].
Two, depending on the roast level, robusta beans typically contain more antioxidants than arabica beans [1].
Three, if you love bold, intense coffee flavors, then robusta is your cup. Robusta coffee beans have this earthy, nutty, toasty flavor with hints of chocolate, caramel, and syrup, versus arabica’s light, floral, slightly fruity notes.
Coffee, in general, offers many health benefits – from boosting energy and focus to supporting overall health.
FAQs on Vietnamese Coffee Beans
Let’s get to know Vietnamese robusta more!
1. Is Vietnamese Coffee Healthy?
Yes. Vietnamese coffee is healthy for you. It offers many health benefits, including but not limited to enhanced energy and physical performance as well as improved mood and focus. Drinking coffee may also protect against diabetes, heart and liver diseases, and colon cancer. It can also reduce your risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. People who drink coffee live longer than non-coffee drinkers [4].
2. Can I Drink Vietnamese Coffee Every Day?
Absolutely! It’s perfectly fine to drink Vietnamese coffee every day. However, Vietnamese coffee is pretty strong, so try to limit yourself to no more than 400 mg of caffeine a day or two to three cups [3].
3. Is Vietnamese Coffee Better Hot or Cold?
Both! Vietnamese robusta coffee makes excellent hot and iced coffee, especially Cafely’s Vietnamese Coffee 2.0 collection.
4. What Grind is Best for Vietnamese Coffee?
It depends on your brewing method.
- Finely Ground Coffee: Espresso
- Medium Fine Coffee: Moka pot and Aeropress
- Medium Coarse Coffee: Drip coffee maker and pour-over
- Coarse Ground Coffee: French press, percolator, and cold brew
If you’re going to brew authentic Vietnamese coffee using a phin filter, use medium fine or medium coarse ground coffee.
5. Does Vietnamese Coffee Always Have Condensed Milk?
No, not all types of Vietnamese coffee use condensed milk, but it’s a common ingredient. Cà Phê Đen Đá is plain black coffee without any milk or creamer, while the following popular ones use condensed milk:
- Cà Phê Sữa Đá: Iced coffee with condensed milk
- Cà Phê Sữa Nóng: Hot coffee with condensed milk
- Cà Phê Cốt Dừa: Coffee with condensed milk and coconut milk
- Cà Phê Trứng: Coffee with condensed milk and egg
- Cà Phê Muối: Coffee with condensed milk and a dash of sea salt
References:
- Carlsen, M. H., Halvorsen, B. L., Holte, K., Bøhn, S. K., Dragland, S., Sampson, L., Willey, C., Senoo, H., Umezono, Y., Sanada, C., Barikmo, I., Berhe, N., Willett, W. C., Phillips, K. M., Jacobs, D. R., Jr, & Blomhoff, R. (2010). The total antioxidant content of more than 3100 foods, beverages, spices, herbs and supplements used worldwide. Nutrition Journal, 9(3). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2841576/
- Lewis, K., & Lewis, K. (2025, January 15). The rise of Robusta coffee. Global Coffee Report. https://www.gcrmag.com/the-rise-of-robusta-coffee/
- Office of the Commissioner. (2024, August 28). Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much? U.S. Food And Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/spilling-beans-how-much-caffeine-too-much
- Zainuri, N., Paramartha, D. N. A., Fatinah, A., Nofrida, R., Rahayu, N., Anggraini, I. M. D., & Utama, Q. D. (2023). The Chemical Characteristics of Arabica and Robusta Green Coffee Beans. BIOTROPIA, 30(3), 318–328.
- 9 reasons why (the right amount of) coffee is good for you. (2024, June 20). Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/9-reasons-why-the-right-amount-of-coffee-is-good-for-you
Cafely exists to empower go-getters with superior coffee and functional beverages that taste incredible while embracing clean, all-natural energy to fuel your day.