Ca Phe Chon
While researching the trip we heard about a type of coffee called Ca Phe Chon, also known as “weasel coffee.” This is because the bean is supposedly eaten and digested by weasels.
Here’s an excerpt from the New York Times that describes the process: “For the truly adventurous, there is the infamous ca phe chon, weasel coffee, which is exactly what it sounds like. Growers take the best beans from each crop, and feed them to a weasel. The weasel does what comes naturally, the beans are collected at his other end, then ground and brewed as usual. Apparently, the weasel’s digestive system does something mysterious to the beans which makes them smoother and tastier than any other kind of coffee.”
I (Ben) found the coffee to be just as described. It was smooth and had a bit of a nutty/chocolate flavor. It was served at a strength similar to espresso. I paid 15,000 Dong for my cup which is roughly $1. If I see it again, I’ll have another cup. Some of the locals thought I was crazy for not putting sugar in it. They said, ‘it’s bitter,’ then laughed. Little did they know, I can drink espresso like water.
3 years ago