How to Make Delicious Salt Coffee with the Perfect Flavor

Salt coffee is the combination of the sweetness of milk, the bitterness of coffee, and a touch of saltiness, creating a rich, robust, and aromatic flavor. Do you want to discover the secrets of making salt coffee to enjoy at home or add to your cafe's menu? Let's explore some useful information in this article.

Salt coffee (or salted coffee) is a beverage made from coffee, condensed milk, fermented fresh milk, and fine salt. The salty taste of salt may seem unconventional in a cup of coffee, but it actually enhances the rich, strong coffee flavor while balancing the bitterness and accentuating the sweet aroma of the milk.

The garden café on Nguyen Luong Bang Street in Hue City was the first place in Vietnam to serve salt coffee. According to the current owner of the cafe, the idea for this unique coffee blend came from a story about "salt coffee" they stumbled upon while planning to open the cafe. After several iterations to perfect the recipe, salt coffee was born and quickly gained popularity among coffee lovers.

Although salt coffee has only become known in Vietnam in the last 10 years, it has long been popular in many countries around the world under various names. According to stories, sailors, fishermen, and offshore oil rig workers came up with the idea of brewing coffee with seawater during extended trips with limited access to fresh water, giving rise to coffee with the salty taste of sea salt.

Some coffee shops in major cities like Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City have now added salt coffee to their menus alongside other signature beverages like milk coffee, egg coffee, and coconut coffee. In each place, this beverage may have slight variations to cater to different preferences.

Sweetness isn't the only way to reduce the bitterness of coffee. In fact, common table salt, composed mainly of sodium chloride, is quite effective at neutralizing bitterness, sometimes even more so than sugar.

When using sugar in iced black coffee, condensed milk in milk coffee, or fresh milk in latte, you are adding more sugar and calories to your body, which can lead to weight gain, especially if you have diabetes. At such times, salt is an effective alternative ingredient to prevent bitterness and acidity in coffee without causing weight gain.

When you add salt to coffee, the sodium ions released help neutralize the bitterness. This allows the coffee to remain aromatic, easy to drink, and adds a unique hint of saltiness.

This is also why salt is often added to food to enhance its flavor. If you're concerned about excessive saltiness, you can use sodium acetate salt for a milder taste when making salt coffee.

Ingredients for Making Salt Coffee:

• 25g ground coffee
• 95ml boiling water
• 25ml condensed milk
• 200ml Rich's creamy whipped topping
• 5g fine salt

Equipment for Making Salt Coffee:

• Kettle for boiling water
• Traditional drip coffee filter
• Electric whisk
• Container for condensed milk
• Stirring spoon
• Glass coffee cup

Steps to Make Salt Coffee:

Step 1: Brewing Coffee

Begin by brewing coffee using a traditional drip filter. Rinse the coffee filter with boiling water to ensure it's clean and evenly moist. Add 25g of medium-ground coffee to the filter, shake gently to distribute the coffee evenly, and place the filter over the glass. First, pour 45ml of boiling water evenly over the coffee grounds. When the coffee grounds absorb all the water and bloom, use the compression lid with moderate force. Continue to add 50ml of boiling water, cover the lid, and wait for the coffee to drip. Note that using water at about 95 degrees Celsius prevents the coffee beans from being scalded and losing their flavor.

Step 2: Making Salty Creamy Topping

Add 200ml of Rich's creamy whipped topping and 5g of fine salt to a container. Then, use an electric whisk to whip the mixture for 2-3 minutes until it becomes airy and creamy.

Step 3: Assembling the Coffee

Once the coffee is brewed, remove the filter, and add 25ml of condensed milk. Then, slowly pour 15-20ml of the salty creamy topping into the coffee cup. You can also sprinkle a little cocoa powder on the surface of the drink for a visually appealing touch.

Step 4: Finishing and Enjoying

When you're ready to enjoy your coffee, stir it gently with a spoon and add ice cubes to the coffee cup according to your preference, whether you like it hot or cold. Now your salt coffee is complete, with a perfect balance of saltiness, creaminess, and bold coffee flavor. Enjoy it!

Tips for Making Delicious Salt Coffee:

Choose Pure Coffee

The quality of coffee significantly influences the taste of the final coffee. Therefore, it's essential to choose pure, high-quality coffee that is free from added flavors, instant coffee, or pre-packaged coffee grounds.

Select coffee beans that have been roasted within 7-10 days to ensure freshness. Start grinding the beans when you're ready to brew to preserve their aroma.

Preferably purchase coffee from reputable local roasters to get the freshest coffee.

Use Quality and Clean Equipment

The type of coffee filter you use also affects the taste of your coffee. To make delicious coffee, opt for an aluminum filter with evenly distributed and well-placed holes.

Use containers made of ceramic or glass for brewing and serving coffee, as they retain heat better and are safer compared to plastic.

Rinse the coffee filter and other equipment with boiling water before use. This step not only cleans but also warms the equipment, allowing the coffee to bloom evenly and reducing heat absorption during the brewing process.

Proportions Matter

The ratio of salt, milk, and coffee will determine the taste of the drink. If you use too much salt, the salty flavor will overpower the coffee and milk's sweetness and creaminess. Conversely, if you use too much coffee or milk, the drink can become excessively bitter or too heavy.

Refer to the recipe in this article, and then adjust the ingredient proportions to suit your taste, but be cautious not to use an excessive amount of any component to maintain a balanced flavor.

How to Enjoy Salt Coffee

To savor salt coffee properly, use a spoon to gently stir the coffee, blending the frothy milk layer with the coffee underneath. You can then enjoy it slowly, sipping each small mouthful, allowing the salty and creamy flavors of the coffee to mingle with the rich, bold coffee bitterness.

With this salt coffee recipe, you can still enjoy a delicious cup of coffee every morning without having to visit Hue. We hope this article has provided you with valuable information about this unique beverage and how to prepare the perfect cup of salt coffee. Enjoy your coffee!