SANG Vietnamese Coffee - Review
Recently, SANG – a ready to drink Vietnamese canned coffee company – sent us a lovely sample box of their canned coffees! We not only had the opportunity to interview Lan Pham, the owner of SANG, but we got to try each of SANG’s 5 Canned Coffees. Now, we are excited to share this up-and-coming coffee company with you all.
What is Vietnamese Coffee?
Traditionally, Vietnamese coffee involves pouring hot water over coffee grounds using a special filter called a Phin, that drips onto sweetened condensed milk (just like a pour over). The method takes a touch more time but results in what Lan Phan describes as “a strong, aromatic, and flavorful cup of coffee” that is “a lot stronger than your average cup of joe.” It’s “strong, yet sweet – like Vietnamese Moms.”
Vietnamese coffee is brewed with Robusta beans, which are typically deemed lesser quality, but actually have higher caffeine and still bring a lot of flavor.
Who is SANG and Lan Pham?
After receiving the sample box of canned coffees, we had the pleasure of asking Lan Pham (SANGs Founder) a few questions about her Vietnamese background and her journey in the coffee business. Check out some of her answers below and find more snippets about SANG in the reviews of the coffees below!
How did your coffee brewing journey begin? / Why canned coffee over whole beans or other brewing methods?
More than a coffee brewing journey, I like to see SANG as a cultural journey of sorts. Vietnam is teeming with delicious culinary traditions, but as with the case of so many other traditional foods, they can be a bit daunting to approach. I wanted to share these authentic flavors and unique traditions in a fun and convenient way, which is how we landed on our collection of ‘Vietnam-ease’ coffees. I want anyone to experience the flavors of Vietnam by simply cracking open a SANG wherever they may be.
What makes SANG canned coffee stand out against its competition?
What sets our coffee apart from other canned coffees is the flavor and the cultural significance behind it. Vietnamese iced coffee is a big part of the country’s culinary culture, and we wanted to celebrate and share these flavors without diluting them.
Which is your favorite canned coffee?
My favorite coffee has to be SANG Traditional. It just tastes like home to me and it’s great as a caffeine boost or just as a midday treat. But, I think the Saigon Cinnamon Latte (Oatmilk) is a close second because it’s just so delicious and feels really indulgent, plus I love that spicy sweetness of the cinnamon.
SANG means “bright” in Vietnamese. Why is this what you chose to name your company?
I think the name really encapsulates our whole essence really well. Not only is it such a fun word to say, but SANG aims to add a jolt of brightness to your day. From our colorful packaging that makes our coffees stand out, to the vibrant traditions our products are based on, and the flavor of our coffee itself. SANG is bright in every sense of the word!
What is the most important thing for your customers to know about you or your coffee?
Whether you grew up drinking cà phê sữa đá [Vietnamese iced coffee] or you’ve never had one in your life, my dream is that you find both comfort and excitement through our Vietnamese coffees. More than anything though, I want SANG to be a platform to showcase the vibrancy of Vietnamese culture, one delicious treat at a time.
We have tried Vietnamese-style coffee before in an instant pour over method, but never from a can. So to start off this journey, we started with SANG’s Traditional and Straight Black with Vanilla.
SANG Traditional
This is everything I imagine when I think of Vietnamese coffee. From the first sip, you can taste the creamy sweetness of sweetened condensed milk. This is RTD Coffee (ready-to-drink) at its finest for those who enjoy coffee on the sweet side and are in a hurry.
If you aren’t familiar with the flavors of sweetened condensed milk, I find it reminiscent of a sweet vanilla latte. SANG still delivers strong coffee – a full 260 mg of caffeine to be exact – which helps to tame the sweetness just enough by providing the ever loved espresso flavor. This coffee has a lot of caffeine (compared to a typical 80-100 mg in 8 oz of black coffee) so be aware of how much additional coffee you might want to consume.
SANG Straight Black with Vanilla
If you are looking for a more guilt-free option that is still creamy and sweet, try the Straight Black with Vanilla. When we asked Lan Pham about the flavors of SANG coffees, she mentioned that “most of the flavors are traditional but we also give a twist on some of the drinks to make them a little brighter. For instance, our Straight Black with Vanilla Essence is a homage to a classic cà phê đá (iced Vietnamese black coffee) but the vanilla gives a subtle sweetness that complements the robusta coffee.”
This can pours a powerful 215 mg of caffeine, with zero sugar! It forms a creamy top which carries into the flavor. I was surprised by how creamy this black coffee was as I occasionally find canned coffees a touch watery. SANG Straight Black is smooth, dark, and tastes a touch smoky before you catch the hint of vanilla that pleasantly lingers on the back of the palate. The vanilla really is a great complement as it isn’t overpowering, but instead balances the powerful coffee flavors.
This would be the perfect can of coffee for anyone who loves black coffee and needs a go-to pick-me-up. I will also recommend this for any lovers of Vanilla latte’s that are looking for something that brings that gentle sweetness without all the sugar and fat from the latte.