Lao iced coffee
Kafe lao yen (ກາເຟລາວເຢັນ): strong Bolaven Plateau coffee with condensed milk over ice
High on the Bolaven Plateau above Pakse, the coffee towns around Paksong grow most of Laos's beans, and roadside stalls there brew them dark and strong through a long cloth sock, all day long. Ordered cold, it arrives as a glass of ice with a thick layer of sweetened condensed milk at the bottom, the black coffee poured over and stirred to a caramel brown, often with a free cup of weak tea to sip afterwards. It is bitter-sweet, chocolatey and much richer than a café latte, made for hot afternoons on the plateau or a morning stop in Pakse. A French press or a fine sieve lined with a paper filter stands in for the cloth sock. Pouring hot coffee straight onto ice before adding the milk is where it goes flat: the condensed milk won't dissolve in cold coffee and sinks in a gluey lump. Chef's tip: stir the condensed milk into the hot coffee first, then pour over the ice.
- Total time
- 10 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 2
Ingredients
For the coffee
- 1 oz dark-roast ground coffeemedium-coarse grind; a robusta-arabica blend is traditional
- 1 cup boiling water
- 4 tbsp sweetened condensed milkadjust to taste
To serve
- 2 handfuls ice cubes
- 2 tbsp evaporated milk (optional)to float on top
- 2 small cups weak hot green or jasmine tea (optional)to sip alongside
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Put 1 oz dark-roast ground coffee in a cloth coffee sock, a French press or a heatproof jug. Pour over 1 cup boiling water and leave to steep for 4 minutes, until dark and strong.
4 minStep 2: Strain the coffee through the sock or press the plunger down; if using a jug, pour through a sieve lined with a paper filter. It should be almost black and syrupy-looking.
Step 3: While the coffee is hot, stir in 4 tbsp sweetened condensed milk until fully dissolved and the colour turns deep caramel.
Step 4: Fill two tall glasses with 2 handfuls ice cubes and pour the sweet coffee over. Float 2 tbsp evaporated milk on top if you like a creamier glass, and serve with straws and the 2 small cups weak hot green or jasmine tea on the side.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 150 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 25 g
- Fat
- 4 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does lao iced coffee take?
- About 10 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 5 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 2 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of sweetened condensed milk?
- Oat, soy or almond milk, same amount (use unsweetened for savoury dishes).
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