Salted Coffee: The Surprising Vietnamese Brew Tasting Like Dessert—and Now Spreading Worldwide
Salt in coffee may sound like a barista prank. Yet try it once, and you realize it’s a true discovery, not a TikTok joke. In Vietnam, Ca Phe Muoi—literally salted coffee—is moving from Hue to hundreds of cafes and into millions of social feeds. In 2024, the #saltycoffee hashtag racked up more than 17 million mentions, helping this small-town idea reach Europe and the United States. Legend says a tiny Hue cafe accidentally oversalted a cup, and customers praised its soft, creamy finish without bitterness. From that moment, Ca Phe Muoi—coffee with salt and whipped cream—entered the menu.
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Origin: Hue, a Coastal Capital, Birthplace of Ca Phe Muoi
The story begins not in Hanoi or Saigon, but in Hue, Vietnam’s old imperial capital on the coast. According to legend, a small cafe owner accidentally oversalted a cup, and customers praised its soft, creamy finish without bitterness. From that moment, Ca Phe Muoi—the salted coffee with whipped cream—entered the local menu and began its journey into the world.
The Chemistry of Salt in Coffee
Salt doesn’t make the drink salty. It softens the bitterness and lets the natural sweetness come through. Sodium suppresses bitter taste receptors, balancing flavors. Gastro-gustatory researchers note that a pinch of salt can boost perceived sweetness, a trick chefs use in desserts. In Ca Phe Muoi, salt helps reveal caramel and chocolate notes hidden in coffee.
Taste, Texture, and a Visual Feast
The first sip is velvet-smooth, with a touch of saltiness that blends with caramel-sweetened milk and whipped cream. Coffee becomes dessert-like: thick, enveloping, and harmoniously balanced. Some compare it to salted caramel or a latte crowned with sea foam; others say it calms the tongue after a regular espresso. Visually, the drink is layered, thick, and topped with a creamy crown—perfect for photos and videos. In an era that demands Instagram-worthy moments, presentation matters as much as flavor.
Make It at Home and Join a Global Trend
You don’t need special equipment to try Ca Phe Muoi at home; it’s approachable and comforting. The classic Ca Phe Muoi uses four ingredients: coffee, salt, sweetened condensed milk, and whipped cream. Simple method: brew strong coffee, add a tiny pinch of salt to mellow the bitterness, sweeten to taste with condensed milk, and crown with whipped cream. Salt also reduces perceived bitterness and acidity, making coffee gentler on the stomach. If you want to explore coffee further, join online courses like the School of Barista to learn to craft drinks that surprise and inspire.
