Vietnamese Coffee Regions

Xin Cam On

Vietnam’s coffee culture is truly electric. With most drinks being prepared with locally grown Robusta, it is hard to find a more energizing or intense yet relaxing and satisfying coffee experience than those found in Vietnam. Keep reading to discover more about Vietnam and its illustrious growing regions.

Home to two different kinds of beans

Vietnamese coffee is mainly known for its hardy robusta. But there is some choice arabica that grows in Vietnam too. Before we get too ahead of ourselves let's first check out what the main differences between these two coffee plants are and why their different growing regions matter.

Arabica plants which are mainly enjoyed for their artisanal-style beans which serve up comparatively more pleasant flavors and aromas also produce beans that are on average a bit less caffeinated than their robusta cousins. Arabica plants are not as hardy and can contract blights and diseases more easily and are less resistant to extreme heat, cold, dry weather, too wet weather, and do not grow well in low elevations. They are tougher to grow but produced a more coveted bean when compared to robusta.

Robusta, on the other hand, is as its name suggests robust. The flavor and aroma are typically considered to be strong akin to burnt rubber even! The caffeine levels for robusta beans also pack a considerable punch. But robusta plants are much easier to grow. While arabica plants need a sort of goldilocks zone to grow which includes volcanic soil located at high altitudes, plenty of rainfall, constant cloud or foliage cover, and a cool climate situated in a tropical zone, robusta can thrive in dry arid weather and can grow below sea level. Robusta plants are more resistant to diseases and even to pests that may snack on their fruits and leaves.

Vietnam is home to both plant types. This is due to Vietnam's unique but wondrous landscape and climate. The robusta plants call the central highlands which include five stunning regions- Dak Lak, Gia Lai, Dak Nong, Lam Dong, and Kontum. These central highlands are home to 80% of the coffee plant cultivation done in Vietnam. Meanwhile, the northern regions like Da Lat, Dien Bien, Nghe An, Son La, and Quang Tri are also home to choice and stunning tea plants are also home to the arabica plants of Vietnam.

Vietnam makes an ideal place for coffee plants because of the many vaulting and verdant mountains. They provide the altitude that plants enjoy. Higher altitudes mean cooler air and more precipitation. The cooler air lets the coffee cherries grow slower and develop more fully. The precipitation leads to regular rainfall but shields plants from the strong sun with cloud and mist coverage. The mountains are almost all volcanic or have soil that contains magma. This porous soil allows for proper drainage to plants so that they do not drown. The biodiversity found in the highlands allows for more enriched plants. They help nourish the soil, help animals that feed on coffee pests thrive, and can protect plants from chills and too much sun. That's not all as both the northern regions and the central highlands are nourished by the water from lively rivers that run through the country. Both areas are expertly poised to cultivate exceptional coffee plants.

Chúc may mắn

The Land of the Ascending Dragon is home to two mythic coffee regions. But there is nothing fictional about how good these beans are though the coffee prepared with them is legendary for sure. Why not sample some of Vietnam's stellar beans today? Just be careful because their robusta packs a serious caffeinated punch.

Works Cited

• Castellano, Nicholas. “A Breakdown of Vietnamese Coffee-Producing Regions.” Perfect Daily Grind, 1 Dec. 2021, perfectdailygrind.com/2021/12/a-breakdown-of-vietnamese-coffee-producing-regions/.
• “Coffee Production in Vietnam.” Wikipedia, 26 May 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffee_production_in_Vietnam.
• The Best Arabica Coffee Growing Areas in Vietnam. helenacoffee.vn/the-best-arabica-coffee-growing-areas-in-vietnam/. Accessed 13 Dec. 2022.