Editorial · April 15, 2014
Vietnamese Coffee Types: Robusta, Arabica and Blends
Vietnamese coffee types fall into two main groups: Robusta, which fills almost every bag grown in the country, and Arabica, which makes up a small but growing share. Some blends mix the two. Knowing the difference helps you read a label and choose a bag you will enjoy.
Vietnam is a Robusta country
Vietnam is the world's second largest coffee producer and exporter, after Brazil. In 2012 it shipped 25.47 million bags of 60 kilograms, which is more than one in five of the 113.1 million bags sold abroad worldwide. Brazil shipped 28.26 million bags. Indonesia was third with 10.62 million.
Robusta makes up more than 95 per cent of what Vietnamese farms produce. That is why most coffee in Vietnam tastes strong, bold and a little bitter. Robusta usually carries more caffeine than Arabica and a heavier body, and many drinkers like it with sweetened condensed milk over ice.
Arabica is the small share
Arabica is most of the remaining 5 per cent of Vietnam's output. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's December 2013 coffee report lists Vietnam's Arabica crop for 2013/14 at 1.0 million bags, out of a forecast total of 28.5 million. That is about 3.5 per cent.
The government wants more of it. Its plan aims for Arabica to cover 8 per cent of the coffee growing area by the end of this decade, because the industry hopes to raise quality. For a buyer, this means Vietnamese Arabica is still a specialty item. It is worth asking where a bag was grown before you pay a higher price for it.
Where Vietnamese coffee grows
Four provinces lead, and all of them sit in or near the Central Highlands. Government figures for the 2011/12 crop year show the ranking below. Nationwide, about 614,500 hectares were planted with coffee that year.
- Dak Lak: 190,300 hectares and 487,700 tons.
- Lam Dong: 140,000 hectares and 343,400 tons.
- Dak Nong: 81,000 hectares and 179,700 tons.
- Gia Lai: 75,600 hectares and 151,800 tons.
Dak Lak is the largest by a wide margin. The weather matters a great deal here. The USDA noted in late 2013 that early worries about drought in the Central Highlands faded when the rains arrived on time, and it forecast a record national crop of 28.5 million bags.
What a blend label means
A blend is a mix of beans. It might be Robusta with some Arabica, or beans from different farms. A label that says only "blend" does not tell you the ratio. A label that says "100% Arabica" or "100% Robusta" is more specific, but it still does not say where the beans were grown or how old they are.
Instant coffee is a good example of how common mixes are. Sachets labeled 3-in-1, which hold coffee, sugar and creamer, held 58 per cent of the instant coffee market in Vietnam in the Euromonitor figures that Ipsos reports. The 2-in-1 type held 24 per cent. These products are about convenience, not about bean type.
How to buy a good bag
Use a short checklist. It takes a minute and avoids most disappointments.
- Ask for the bean type and the blend ratio. A seller who knows the answer is a good sign.
- Look for a roast date, not only a best-before date. Fresh roasted coffee tastes better.
- Check the origin. Dak Lak, Lam Dong, Dak Nong and Gia Lai are the main growing provinces.
- Buy whole beans if you can, and grind them at home or at the shop.
- Start with a small bag. Try a Robusta bag and a blend side by side to learn your taste.
Quality is a real issue in the trade. Ipsos reports that many Vietnamese beans are exported without being fully processed, and that traceability is one of the main challenges for exporters. Buyers can help by asking for clear labels.
Coffee also contains caffeine. This is general information only. For advice on your own daily caffeine limit, ask your doctor.
Sources
- Ipsos Business Consulting, Vietnam's Coffee Industry, July 2013: ipsos.com (PDF file vietnams_coffee_industry-jul2013)
- USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, Coffee: World Markets and Trade, December 2013: usda.gov (Coffee: World Markets and Trade circular, PDF file tropprod-12-13-2013)