Why Many Vietnamese Prefer 'Dark, Thick' Coffee: Additives and the Mystery of Alertness

In Vietnam, dark, thick, and smooth coffee is favored by many. The author's father prefers ground coffee powder sold at markets or familiar shops, describing the brew as 'powerful.' In contrast, the author tends to choose self-roasted beans or those with clear origins. His father finds the author's coffee 'weak' and 'lacking power.' The mother prefers instant coffee, which is sweet and requires only mixing with hot water. Observing friends and acquaintances, many share a preference for similarly dark, thick coffee. Some even believe that the darker and thicker the coffee, the 'higher quality' and more effective it is at warding off sleepiness. However, research suggests that these coffees may not always contain a high proportion of pure coffee beans. Instead, they might be heavily roasted or mixed with butter, caramel, coloring agents, thickeners, and flavorings to create a 'rich taste.' In such cases, the caffeine content may not necessarily be higher than that of pure coffee. Despite this, why do many people experience a sense of refreshment and alertness after drinking these types of coffee? Source: VnExpress