How Much Caffeine is in Vietnamese Coffee?

Vietnamese coffee typically has nearly double the caffeine content compared to traditional arabica coffee drinks.

A regular 4–6 oz serving of Vietnamese coffee can have between 66 to 130 mg of caffeine, which varies based on the type of coffee used and the brewing strength.

This article explores the caffeine levels in Vietnamese coffee and the various factors that can affect the caffeine content in each cup.

What Makes Vietnamese Coffee So Strong?

Vietnamese coffee is renowned for its strength, which can be attributed to several factors. The primary reason is the use of Robusta beans, which are more robust and have a higher caffeine content than Arabica beans. Additionally, the beans are typically given a dark roast, contributing to the coffee's bold flavor. The traditional Phin brewing method, which involves a slow drip process, allows for a more concentrated coffee by using a large amount of coffee grounds relative to the water. This method, combined with the addition of sweetened condensed milk, which balances the robust bitterness, results in a strong and distinctive cup of coffee.

There are 3 main factors that contribute to the high caffeine content of Vietnamese Coffee

  • High Coffee-to-Water Ratio

    Traditional Vietnamese coffee brewed using a phin filter is made using a 1:2 coffee-to-water ratio, which is nearly four times as potent as French press brewing.

  • Dark Roast Robusta Beans

    Vietnamese coffee is made with dark-roasted robusta beans.Robusta coffee has almost double the amount of caffeine as arabica beans. Dark-roasted grounds are more resilient to longer and stronger extraction methods.

  • Slow Extraction While Brewing

    The coffee grind size and the phin brewing method boost the caffeine content in your cup. The beans are ground until they have a finer consistency than filter coffee, giving them a large surface area. When combined with the slow-drip immersion process of the phin filter, a higher concentration of caffeine can be extracted from the grounds into your drink.

How Vietnamese Coffee Compares to Other Coffee Types?

Vietnamese coffee typically has a higher caffeine concentration per ounce than traditional American-style coffee. However, the serving size of Vietnamese coffee is smaller, as it's often mixed with ice and condensed milk.

A standard serving of Vietnamese coffee ranges from 2 to 4 ounces, in contrast to the 8 to 12 ounces found in American-style coffee.

Despite the difference in serving size, the total caffeine content in Vietnamese coffee is similar to that of American-style coffee.

An 8-ounce cup of American-style coffee generally contains between 80 and 120 milligrams of caffeine.

Vietnamese coffee, traditionally brewed with robusta beans using a phin filter, yields about 2 ounces of coffee with approximately 66 milligrams of caffeine. A double serving, or 4 ounces, of Vietnamese coffee has about 130 milligrams of caffeine. Using arabica beans for a less traditional version, a 2-ounce serving would have only 25 milligrams of caffeine.

A standard espresso shot made with arabica beans contains roughly 75 milligrams of caffeine, while a double shot can contain up to 150 milligrams.

Robusta vs. Arabica: Caffeine Content

Coffea arabica and Coffea robusta are the two primary species cultivated for coffee production.

Robusta beans have roughly double the caffeine content of arabica beans and half the amount of sugar.

Conversely, arabica beans have a sweeter taste, while robusta beans are known for their slightly bitter and nutty flavor profiles.

  • Dragon’s Delight: Vietnamese Arabica Ground Coffee - BeanBeansCoffee

    Arabica Coffee

    • High altitude / High maintenance
    • Caffeine Content 1.5%
    • Sweet and fruity
    • Large and oval 
  • Dragon’s Fury: Vietnamese Robusta Whole Coffee Beans - BeanBeansCoffee

    Robusta Coffee

    • Any altitude / Low maintenance
    • Caffeine Content 2.7%
    • Earthy, nutty, and bitter
    • Small and round