Student Blog

Even though I interviewed her on the spot, Nhi, who is from Vietnam, was happy to talk about her country's culture. What I found particularly interesting was her country's coffee-drinking habits.

According to statistics from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Vietnam ranked second in the world for coffee bean production in 2023, just after Brazil. The country boasts an incredibly rich variety of coffee drinks; in addition to the types common in Japan, there are unique local specialties like egg coffee, salt coffee, and milk coffee with condensed milk. In fact, I got to try the salt coffee myself when I visited the country. At first, I was a bit skeptical and thought, "Is it really that good?" However, with just one sip, I could really taste how the saltiness enhanced the bitterness, creating a surprisingly profound flavor.

Another interesting thing about Vietnam is that there's a strong culture of drinking coffee from early in the morning. Even before the sun fully rises, people are already starting to gather at cafes on street corners. Seeing people sit on small plastic stools, relaxing and enjoying their time, made me realize that coffee has truly become an integral part of their daily lives.

The following statement by Nhi left a strong impression on me: "For Vietnamese people, coffee is a daily ritual and a culture itself." After doing some research, I found out that the coffees I mentioned before can be made right here in Japan, so why not give them a try when you’re looking to experience a slightly different culture in your daily life?