wine food yum

in the past few months, i have been on the hunt for the perfect french press. my fascination with french presses began with years of restauranting at various pho restaurants in toronto. if you've ever had the joy of eating at pho, and had their hot vietnamese style coffee with condensed milk, you'll know how much this cup of coffee is to die for - and it seems, almost undiscovered by the rest of the world.

when i tried searching online, i found it almost impossible to find out anything on how to i would be able to recreate a pho coffee! it was here that i found out about all kinds of presses, but not the one i was hoping for. while i'm still looking for my french press, i thought i'd tell you about how i was successful with the vietnamese style coffee - and how you can be, right at home!

first - you need to find the right press. the true vietnamese style press is small and will fit just on top of a normal drinking glass or coffee cup. don't buy it online, you'll be able to find them for about 10 dollars in random kitchenware stores in your local chinatown, or maybe even the chinatown grocery store. it comes with an insert that "presses," and a lid for the whole press. (and, there is no filtering system, in case you might look for one!)




second - while you're at the chinatown grocery store, pick up a can of condensed milk. and then go down to the aisle where they sell coffee and tea. look for a can of "cafe du monde: coffee & chicory." the chicory is a necessity when it comes to the vietnamese style coffee, and an absolute must!

third - put it all together. in a glass, pour about 2 tablespoons of condensed milk, or to your taste. second, and depending on how strong you like your coffee, i'd recommend putting about 3 tablespoons of coffee/chicory into the press. top the ground coffee with the press insert, and fill the press up to its rim.

now, you wait. the dripping can take some time, but be patient and don't force the press! this can result in getting extra coffee ground in your wonderful concoction. but here is a warning, even without forcing the press, you'll likely get a few traces of the grounds. it gives it character.

added tips: filter thru some more water, if you want to get some more, and add ice for an iced vietnamese style coffee. but, the hit of just one fill of the press and the condensed milk is enough to warm your heart :) enjoy!