Distinctive traditional way of enjoying coffee among E De ethnic people

Happy Vietnam

Visitors to Dak Lak can experience the traditional processing and enjoyment of E De coffee. Photo: Tuan Anh – VNA
In the traditional method, the E De roast raw coffee beans in a cast-iron pan over a wood-fired stove. Photo: Tuan Anh – VNA
Thick drops of coffee, with an initial strong bitterness and a mild sweet aftertaste, define the flavour of coffee brewed in the traditional E De way. Photo: Tuan Anh – VNA
The E De people assess the roasting level of coffee beans by their colour and aroma. Photo: Tuan Anh – VNA
After roasting, the coffee beans are manually pounded in a rice mortar to preserve their essential oils and rustic flavour. Photo: Tuan Anh – VNA
The E De people harvest coffee from November to January of the following year. Photo: Tuan Anh – VNA
Distinctive traditional way of enjoying coffee among E De ethnic people
Unlike the hurried pace of urban life, the traditional way of enjoying coffee in Dak Lak is a journey from the hearth to the soul. The E De people hand-roast raw coffee beans in cast-iron pans over wood-fired stoves. When the beans turn glossy brown and release a rich aroma, they are manually pounded using a rice mortar. This method produces coffee grounds that are not overly fine, preserving the essential oils and the most rustic flavours. The coffee is then placed in a cloth bag, infused in boiling water, and poured out for enjoyment. Photo: Tuan Anh – VNA