NGUYEN Coffee Supply for the Win
Coffee done different, but better.
Most often when people think of coffee beans they imagine Brazil, Colombia, and Ethiopia as the hubs of coffee bean production. Little known fact, Vietnam happens to be the world’s second largest producer of coffee beans. In fact, Vietnam was expected to produce 32.2 million 60-kilogram bags of coffee in 2019–2020, according to the USDA. That’s a heck of a lot of beans. One of those bean brewing staples in Vietnam happens to be a brand known as NGUYEN Coffee Supply.
Nguyen Coffee Supply happens to be the first ever Vietnamese-American-owned importer and roaster of green coffee beans from Vietnam in New York. Partnering with a 4th generation farmer, Nguyen Coffee Supply brings organic, green beans to the U.S. for people to enjoy fresh roasted and in a variety of brew styles. Our crew happened to get our hands on a variety pack to see if it not only perks us up but can run our crew on the regular.
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
Our intial impression of Nguyen (pronounced “Wen” or “N’When”) Coffee was the impeccable story that lead to the coffee being imported from Vietnam and roasted in Brooklyn. The story gives us all the feels and we instantly were fans.
In regards to the actual beans, we’re just going to spill them (pun intended). The aromas, the varieties, and the caffeine packed into each unique blend is quite something. Since our crew wanted to try a variety we grabbed a bag of Loyalty, Moxy, and True Grit blends for the review.
LOYALTY- Composed of Robusta beans (which produce 2x more caffeine content and 2x more antioxidants than arabica beans), this blend is the number one seller. 60% less sugar and 60% less fat, this unique roasting method brings out distinct flavor profiles of each bean. Flavor profiles are made up of sweet, smooth, and nutty blends.
MOXY- A rare specialty bean, arabica makes up less than 10% of Vietnam’s coffee production. The Moxy blend is super smooth and fruity without the high acidic sour coffee vibe.
TRUE GRIT- Another Robusta bean blend, this medium roast features a full-body experience due to the unique benefits of the Vietnamese robusta coffee beans.
The lineup from Nguyen really is diversified and mixes a unique blend and flavor profile. The 12 ounce bags are the perfect amount for several cups of solid tasting coffee and the smells emitted from each bag is worthy of a good whiff or two before hitting the drip (or French press). These blends sure hit on all flavor profiles.
Our initial duuude impression: Smells so good we don’t want to brew just yet!
TESTING IT OUT
Now that our crew got over our FOUATB (Fear of Using All the Beans), we took each of the 3 varieties, ground them up, and poured a cup for all to try. Each bag brought a different level of flavor-
LOYALTY
KEY FEATURES:
12 oz | Sustainable Direct Trade | Roasted in Brooklyn
Variety: Single Origin Arabica & Robusta coffee beans
Notes: Cacao, Pomelo, Almond, Smoked Caramel
Recommended brews: Phin, Drip, Espresso, French Press
The flavor of Loyalty really was smooth and subtle tones of Almond and Caramel came through. Not too overpowering but very rich in flavor. The drip brew has us salivating over the aroma and the smooth finish to each sip really was welcoming and robust. Great easy flavor and not too strong.
MOXY
KEY FEATURES:
12 oz | Sustainable Direct Trade | Roasted in Brooklyn
Variety: 100% Single Origin Arabica
Notes: Wild Berries, Chocolate, Cherry, Honey
Recommended brews: Drip, French Press, Pour Over, Espresso
Moxy was delicious. The Chocolate and Cherry combination was spot and and the finish had a slight honey end which topped the flavor profiles off in the perfect way. A little more subtle caffeine effect than the others, but still great for a cup or two to start the day.
TRUE GRIT
KEY FEATURES:
12 oz | Sustainable Direct Trade | Roasted in Brooklyn
Variety: 100% Single Origin Peaberry Robusta
Notes: Scotch, Grapefruit Zest, Bitter Melon
Recommended brews: Drip, Phin Filter, French Press
Ok- this was the jam, the boss sauce, the whole kit and kabboodle. We ground this bag up and used the Phin Filter-WOW. The bitterness of the Melon and the Scotch profile had us geeking out over this blend. A MUST grab!
STANDOUT FEATURES
Nguyen Coffee Supply is already a standout in our book- but we get it, you want more from us than that. All good- here is what stood out the most:
Coffee varieties are seriously unique AF and we love them all- especially the scotch profiles
Each blend is different and has a flavor for everyone
Nguyen offers some great resources on how to brew, how to mix drinks, heck even how to Salsa Dance (ok that’s not true)
Nguyen offers so much flavor variety that it is hard to highlight it all. So don’t just read our review- go visit them and see for yourself!
BONUS FEATURES
What, coffee not enough for ya? We get it- why just be stoked over coffee when there are more features like a Phin to brew some tasty coffee with? Nguyen offers a Phin- A Vietnamese brew tool that is perfect for your daily grind.
FEATURES:
No paper filter - it's sustainable!
Stainless steel
Great for traveling
Perfect brew in 6-7 minutes
Nguyen also features brew guides, tasty tips and tricks, and various ways to enjoy all sorts of coffee goodness.
Overall duuude Factor: Nguyen Coffee Supply keeps the caffeinated goodness rolling all day long
Price: Varies by Blend
BRAND INFO
Nguyen Coffee Supply was founded by Sahra Nguyen, a first generation Vietnamese American and a quintessential Millennial of the “Slash Generation.” Her multifaceted creative career includes award-winning documentary filmmaker behind NBC News’ “Deported,” co-founder of New York Times reviewed restaurant “Lucy’s Vietnamese Kitchen,” co-founder of podcasting agency “Listening Party,” and a 2018 Google Next Gen Tech Policy Leader. Nguyen is the daughter of Vietnamese refugees, who fled their country by boat after the Vietnam War, and eventually settled in Boston, MA, where she was born and raised.
Learn more about Nguyen Coffee Supply and see how you can support the revolution.