Vietnamese coffee is not simply about coffee beans grown in Vietnam; it represents a unique local beverage culture. After the French introduced coffee to Vietnam, it gradually became part of daily life. Vietnamese coffee is usually made from dark-roasted Robusta, paired with condensed milk to balance the intense bitterness, and extracted using a metal drip filter known as a "phin." Starting from Front Street's hands-on practice, this article explains in detail the structure of the phin, the key points of tamping, extraction parameters, and suggested condensed milk amounts, guiding you through the complete process of recreating an authentic cup of Vietnamese drip coffee, and sharing a layered tasting approach that goes from strong to sweet. [more…]

Vietnamese Robusta coffee prices have repeatedly hit new highs recently, with spot prices surging 49% compared to the same period last year and accumulating a 30% gain so far this year. Declining production, robust demand, and strong exports have combined to drive the market higher, but industry insiders are not optimistic about future trends. With Brazil and Indonesia's new harvest seasons approaching, supply is expected to improve and prices may fall back. Meanwhile, the Red Sea crisis continues to spill over, and rising shipping costs are adding uncertainty to the coffee trade. This article will review the latest developments and potential risks in the Vietnamese coffee market. [more…]

Vietnam, as the world's largest producer of Robusta coffee, has recently seen a rare phenomenon—domestic Robusta prices have actually surpassed Arabica for the first time in nearly 50 years. Affected by multiple factors including high temperatures and drought, reduced production, and tight global supply, Vietnam's coffee export prices have continued to climb, with the average export price in May surging 63.6% year-on-year. At the same time, Brazil's new-season Robusta harvest is looking good, which may bring some relief to the persistently rising prices. This article will provide a detailed analysis of price trends, supply and demand changes, and future expectations in the Vietnamese coffee market. [more…]

Robusta coffee beans are known for their intense bitterness and high caffeine content, and many people are at a loss when they get a bag of Robusta grounds. In fact, as long as you master the right blending approach or brewing method, Robusta can also present a pleasant side. This article will start with the botanical characteristics and flavor profile of the species, compare it with Arabica, introduce the pairing logic behind Front Street Coffee's Classic Blend and Commercial Blend, and finally demonstrate the Vietnamese phin filter process step by step, teaching you how to make a cup of Vietnamese coffee at home that is rich with roasted aroma and blends perfectly with condensed milk. [more…]

Vietnamese coffee has long been a striking calling card of Southeast Asian food culture, and the core that sustains this distinctive flavor is none other than the Robusta bean, which accounts for over ninety percent of Vietnam's total coffee output. After the French introduced coffee to Vietnam, the locals combined the intense bitterness of dark-roasted Robusta with the sweetness of condensed milk, and with the help of the unique drip pot, created a cup of condensed milk coffee with unmistakable character. This article will guide you through the origin and status of Vietnamese Robusta, the structure and extraction principles of the drip pot, and, using Front Street Coffee's practical parameters as an example, present a complete demonstration of the process for making and enjoying a traditional cup of Vietnamese coffee. [more…]

Vietnam's domestic coffee market has recently seen a rare turn of events: even as international futures prices broadly decline, domestic purchasing prices have risen against the trend, with the highest price in the Central Highlands provinces reaching 82,300 Vietnamese dong per kilogram, setting a new all-time record. At the same time, Germany's share of imports of Vietnamese coffee has risen rather than fallen, showing that Europe's reliance on Vietnamese robusta continues to deepen. However, expected production cuts caused by climate change and some coffee farmers switching to durian cultivation are planting more uncertainty on the supply side for the future. This article combines the latest exchange data and producing-region quotes to trace the ins and outs of this round of price fluctuations. [more…]

A recent report from the Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association shows that robusta coffee prices continue to climb, with an expected price of 72 million to 73 million Vietnamese dong per ton, an increase from earlier levels. Global inventories are low, with robusta stocks at less than 30,000 tons, and arabica also at low levels, stemming from reduced production in many countries that has led to declining exports. The Red Sea situation has disrupted shipping, pushing freight rates higher, and some buyers have turned to Brazil for purchases. At the same time, Vietnamese farmers are holding back sales and waiting, making it difficult for traders to fulfill contracts; Dak Nong Province agent Mai Cau has already declared bankruptcy, involving nearly one million dollars in undelivered goods. This article will provide an in-depth analysis of market dynamics, export data and future expectations to help coffee lovers keep pace with market changes. [more…]

Coffee prices within Vietnam have once again climbed. In the Central Highlands, the largest producing region, purchase prices have generally risen by 1,300 to 1,400 Vietnamese dong per kilogram, and the price of coffee beans in bulk has risen to a range of 92,400 to 93,200 Vietnamese dong per kilogram. On the international market, Robusta futures for delivery in May 2024 rose to 3,450 US dollars per ton, while Arabica fell back to 182.95 US cents per pound. At the same time, armed attacks in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait continue to escalate, with the Houthi armed group threatening to expand the scope of attacks to the Indian Ocean, and global shipping is facing a new round of pressure. Vietnamese coffee exporters, meanwhile, have high hopes for the Italian market, where Robusta occupies a dominant position. [more…]

Global robusta coffee prices recently surged to their highest point in 28 years. In Vietnam, the largest supplier, coffee farmers and producers, facing a poor harvest, are demanding renegotiation of previously locked-in low-price contracts with buyers. Vietnam's 2022/23 coffee crop was the worst in six years, and coupled with the Red Sea crisis driving up shipping costs, traders have begun turning to Brazil for procurement, continuously tightening the robusta supply chain. Faced with this situation, coffee enthusiasts may feel the pressure from their daily consumption, while brands like Front Street Coffee are also closely monitoring developments in the producing regions to select trustworthy robusta products for consumers. [more…]

Vietnamese Robusta coffee prices have recently climbed again, with expected quotes for green beans from the Central Highlands surpassing previous records, mainly due to a combination of declining local production, strengthening international demand, drought in Brazil, and geopolitical risks. As the new harvest season in Brazil and Indonesia approaches in April, the market widely expects supply conditions to improve. However, weather uncertainty brought by El Niño, the Red Sea shipping crisis, and growing domestic consumption in Indonesia continue to add variables to the outlook. This article will review the supply and demand dynamics of the three major origins—Vietnam, Brazil, and Indonesia—and examine the potential impact on brands such as Front Street Coffee on the product side. [more…]

Vietnam, the world's largest robusta coffee-producing country, is facing severe challenges—drought and scant rainfall, farmers switching to fruit crops, and the lingering effects of El Niño. The combination of these multiple factors is expected to cause coffee output to fall by 20%. At the same time, Vietnam's domestic coffee purchase price has soared to 103 million to 107 million Vietnamese dong per ton, and London futures prices have risen by more than 50% within a year. This wave of reduced production not only affects Vietnam's local economy, but will also tighten the global coffee supply landscape. This article examines the climate, economic, and geopolitical factors behind Vietnam's coffee production decline, and also looks at China's role in this shifting situation. (Front Street Coffee continues to follow developments in global coffee-producing regions.) [more…]

Robusta coffee is often labeled as bitter and earthy, but its true character goes far beyond that. As a mainstream coffee species alongside Arabica, Robusta grows quickly and resists disease, and under specialty cultivation conditions it can also present nutty and grainy aromas. This article begins with its botanical characteristics and the pros and cons of its flavor, then sorts through the logic of blending it with Arabica for espresso, and introduces the recipe concepts behind Front Street Coffee's Classic Blend and Commercial Blend. Finally, it walks you through making a cup of condensed milk coffee with a Vietnamese drip filter, so that Robusta coffee grounds can also be smooth and delicious. [more…]

Although coffee prices have recently retreated slightly from their highs, insufficient rainfall in Brazil's producing regions and continuously soaring domestic prices in Vietnam have cast a dark cloud over the supply side of the global coffee market. A combination of factors—Vietnamese coffee farmers holding back sales, traders struggling to fulfill contracts, and disruptions to Red Sea shipping—has pushed robusta coffee prices to a new record high. Meanwhile, Brazil's robusta exports have surged, and production expectations for the new crop season are optimistic, which may bring a glimmer of hope to the tight market supply. This article will sort through the key data and events behind coffee price fluctuations and assess the market outlook. [more…]

At the 27th Asian International Conference, the Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association signaled that due to the triple factors of reduced output, depleted inventories, and rising domestic demand, Vietnam's coffee exports in the 2023/24 season are likely to fall below the previous year, while export prices are expected to remain high. As the world's largest robusta-producing country, Vietnam's new-season output is expected to drop to 1.6 million to 1.7 million tons. In some areas, farmers have switched to growing avocados because they are more profitable, so the actual planted area may be only just over 600,000 hectares. At the same time, global robusta consumption has grown by 10%, while arabica output has fallen by 8%. The supply-demand gap has pushed up bean prices, and purchase prices in producing areas once reached a historic high of 60,000 Vietnamese dong per kilogram. Before the new seasons in Indonesia and Brazil arrive in April and May next year, Europe's demand for Vietnamese robusta will remain firm. Front Street Coffee continues to monitor developments in producing areas and sort out price and supply changes for enthusiasts. [more…]

Front Street Coffee is often asked: Why can Robusta be grown on a large scale in places like Vietnam? Don't all coffees require high altitude? What does it actually taste like? When Vietnamese coffee is brewed with Robusta, why doesn't it taste bad? In this article, Front Street Coffee will take a systematic look at Robusta coffee beans. From a botanical perspective, Robusta and Arabica differ significantly in growing conditions and resistance to disease and pests, and these differences directly affect the flavor in the cup. The article will also introduce Catimor, a hybrid of the two, and analyze how Vietnamese coffee is brewed, helping enthusiasts gain a comprehensive understanding of Robusta's value and characteristics. [more…]

The latest statement from the Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association (Vicofa) indicates that Vietnamese coffee prices are highly likely to continue their upward trend in 2024, with the core driver still being severely tight supply. Current spot quotes for robusta have risen to 67,200-68,000 Vietnamese dong/kg, up 900-1,000 dong from last week and about 8,000 dong higher cumulatively since early December. The new crop season opened in November at a record high of 60,000 dong/kg, with traders rushing to buy early out of fear of repeating last year's June predicament of having no beans to purchase, while coffee farmers, expecting further price increases, are holding back sales, leading to fulfillment difficulties and a distorted export structure. El Niño continues to intensify, and robusta-producing regions in Brazil and Indonesia are expected to see lower output, further reinforcing the logic of rising prices—something coffee industry professionals and enthusiasts should closely watch. [more…]

Recently, the international coffee futures market has been turbulent, with robusta coffee futures once surging to a historic high of $4,339 per ton, while July and September pre-sale contracts were quoted at $4,239 and $4,246 per ton respectively. Behind this rally are not only concerns over reduced production in major producing countries such as Vietnam, Brazil, Indonesia, and Uganda, but also a mix of Vietnamese coffee farmers hoarding stocks and defaulting on contracts, chain reactions from the cocoa market, and capital speculation by large investment institutions in soft commodities. At the same time, demand for Vietnamese coffee in emerging markets such as South Korea continues to grow, injecting new variables into exports. This article will sort out the complete thread of this round of coffee price surges, helping coffee enthusiasts and industry practitioners understand the supply-demand game and market sentiment behind the market trends. [more…]

Recently, the Robusta coffee futures price has continued to rise, even reaching a record high of $4,339 per ton. At present, the latest pre-sale price of London Robusta futures in July is $4,239 per ton, and the pre-sale price at the end of September [more…]

In late April, Robusta coffee futures surged to a historic high of US$4,339 per tonne, dragging Arabica futures up along with them. Entering May, Brazil and Vietnam successively released their April export reports, showing growth in both production and export volumes. ICE coffee inventories briefly eased market anxiety, and the enthusiasm for chasing futures buys cooled somewhat. However, after tropical agricultural products fell by nearly 14% overall, purchase prices in Vietnam's central growing regions quickly rebounded to 96 million to 100 million Vietnamese dong per tonne after dropping to 90 million dong per tonne. The interplay of multiple factors—drought, competition from crops such as durian, the continued depreciation of the Vietnamese dong, and rising freight rates on the Red Sea route—makes a rebound in coffee bean prices a highly probable event. Front Street Coffee will continue to monitor the deeper logic behind this round of volatility. [more…]

G7 Coffee is a highly representative instant coffee brand from Vietnam, made from robusta beans, convenient to brew, and notably effective at keeping you alert. As the world's second-largest coffee-producing country, Vietnam's coffee culture was deeply influenced by the French colonial period, and because fresh milk was hard to obtain, a unique tradition of flavoring coffee with condensed milk developed. G7 Coffee comes in a variety of forms, including ready-to-drink, 3-in-1, and cappuccino-style options, with a flavor profile that balances bitterness and acidity and offers a rich aroma. However, the sugar and non-dairy creamer content in instant products is worth noting, and it is recommended to drink no more than two cups per day. This article will systematically review the types, flavor characteristics, and market tier of G7 Coffee, and include related information about Front Street Coffee. [more…]