Vietnamese condensed milk coffee is an overload of tastes

Last week, I had the opportunity to host a foreign friend visiting Vietnam for the first time. He was eager to try the "legendary iced milk coffee" ca phe sua da that I had often mentioned in our previous conversations. I took him to a sidewalk cafe in Saigon, with low tables, low chairs, and thin glass cups, just like the traditional coffee shops.

When the coffee was served, my friend turned to me, wide-eyed, and asked, "Why do Vietnamese people drink coffee with condensed milk up to a third of the cup?" I smiled and signaled for him to give it a try. My friend eagerly took a big sip, then grimaced, shook his head, and stuck out his tongue: "Too sweet." I burst out laughing.

For someone like me, who is used to drinking pure black coffee in the European style, only espresso or cappuccino with a splash of fresh milk, Vietnamese condensed milk coffee is truly an overload of tastes.

A cup of milk coffee. Photo by Trinh Bui

A traditional Vietnamese iced milk coffee can contain up to three or four spoonfuls of condensed milk, equivalent to nearly 20 grams of sugar. This amount is almost equal to the daily sugar limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). If you regularly "load" up your coffee like this every morning, not to mention the milk tea, soft drinks, or other snacks throughout the day, you're consuming far more sugar than is advisable.

Having lived in Europe for several years, I understand the coffee-drinking habits of Westerners. In countries like the Netherlands, Italy, France, and Germany, people typically drink pure black coffee with no sugar or just an espresso shot, a small sip to stay awake.

If they add milk, it is usually unsweetened fresh milk or plant-based alternatives like almond or oat milk, which have less sugar and are easier to digest. Sweetened condensed milk is rarely used. Westerners are not looking for intense sweetness in their coffee; they seek a natural, moderate flavor that does not overload the digestive system or spike blood sugar.

For them, drinking coffee is not a treat to indulge in sweetness, but a habit to stay alert in a sustainable, gentle, and health-conscious way. In contrast, many Vietnamese drink coffee primarily for its taste, and the sweeter, the better. Some people cannot drink black coffee because they find it "too bitter," so they pour in so much condensed milk that it completely overwhelms the coffee's natural flavor.

The issue with this excess sweetness goes beyond just taste, it silently affects health. Consuming too much sugar can increase blood sugar levels, lead to pre-diabetes, cause metabolic issues, raise blood fat levels, and even result in cravings for more sweets, ultimately contributing to weight gain. Don't let that throat-aching sweetness today turn into a serious health problem down the line.