Nguyen Coffee Supply
Brooklyn, New York
2.39(6)
Roaster with specialty in Vietnam coffee, including highlighting small lot Robustas
Show moreNguyen Coffee Supply is a coffee roaster from Brooklyn, NY United States. We have 10 cataloged roasts with 6 total reviews with a score of 2.39.
| Name | Roast Level | Bean Source |
|---|---|---|
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3.50(2) |
Dark | Vietnam |
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1.00(1) |
Dark | Vietnam |
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2.67(3) |
Medium | Vietnam |
|
0(0) |
Medium | Vietnam |
|
0(0) |
Dark | Vietnam |
|
0(0) |
Dark | Vietnam |
|
0(0) |
Medium | Vietnam |
| - | Vietnam | |
| - | Vietnam | |
|
0(0) |
- | Vietnam |
Top Reviews(6)
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Theo Chan, Managing Editor1854 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
3.50 - Average
4.00 - Aroma
3.50 - Finish
3.50 - Flavor
3.00 - Acidity
3.50 - Balance
It took me a while to come back to Nguyen Coffee Supply. Some of the earliest coffees I had from them were among the worst I've ever tasted, heavy and scorched in a way that lingered unpleasantly. I think two of those were badly overroasted/quality control issue. But Vietnamese coffee has improved a lot in recent years, and Nguyen seems to have matured into a more steady mass market roaster/brand.
This espresso is chocolate forward, with a bit of complexity but without the overbearing dark roast notes that once dominated. There is a hint of smoke and a touch of raw walnut, finishing in a dark bittersweet chocolate linger. Through the middle comes a prune and plum character that adds some depth. There is still a faint rubber undertone (robusta?), but it is more restrained than in previous roasts. The crema is just so-so, but the mouthfeel overall is acceptable and reasonably balanced, with a couple twists and turns.
As an Americano, it falls apart for me. The added water and chill bring out the rubbery and bitter elements, flattening what little fruit the espresso had and leaving a hollow finish. Whatever nuance existed in the shot seems lost in the dilution.
I don't think I'll be seeking this out any time soon but Nguyen is the Vietnamese coffee archetype now for better or worse.Cupping Method:Tasted as espresso and Americano at Cicada in Central Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
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Scott Greenaway175 roasts rated, avg score of 4.27
3.00 - Average
3.50 - Aroma
3.00 - Finish
2.50 - Flavor
4.00 - Acidity
3.50 - Balance
The flavor was relatively weak, leaving me wondering if I brewed it correctly. The coffee was balanced, dry, and not acidic, but I prefer a stronger flavor.Cupping Method:Vietnamese drip
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Emily Schadler93 roasts rated, avg score of 4.24
3.00 - Average
3.50 - Aroma
3.00 - Finish
3.00 - Flavor
3.00 - Acidity
2.50 - Balance
This tasted watery, like I needed twice the amount of beans I normally use. Maybe I needed to try a different brew style.Cupping Method:Pour over with cream
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Theo Chan, Managing Editor
1854 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
2.00 - Average
4.00 - Aroma
2.00 - Quality
Couldnt get it to work in any format, pourover, espresso, or Moka. Great aroma out of the bag. Possible overroast as listed as medium but a little bit of carbon overshadowed everything. -
Theo Chan, Managing Editor
1854 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
1.00 - Average
2.00 - Aroma
1.50 - Finish
1.00 - Flavor
3.00 - Acidity
3.00 - Balance
This is my second shot with Nguyen Coffee Supply, after not especially liking their Moxy Blend. I bought a can of their Classic Black Cold Brew at Whole Foods last week to give them another tried. Nguyen Coffee Supply, is an Vietnamese-American brand and I want to support.
The verdict, it's not for me.
This cold brew had pronounced rubbery notes, reminiscent of the criticisms often thrown at Robusta beans. The taste profile leaned heavily towards a burned flavor, and while I wouldn't describe it as harsh, it left an aftertaste reminiscent of cigarette ash. A dark roast cold brew often carries a depth of flavor, but in this case, it felt overpowering.
This was a first for someone who rarely leaves a cold brew unfinished. But it's essential to remember that taste is subjective. What might be overpowering for one could be just right for another.Cupping Method:Cold brew can for Whole Foods
Editor's Overview
Nguyen Coffee Supply has been instrumental in introducing and popularizing Vietnamese coffee in the international market, particularly in the United States, spawning several copycats. They emphasize the importance of community, sustainability, and empowerment throughout their supply chain, from farmers to consumers. Additionally, their approach to roasting and presenting Vietnamese coffee has significantly educated consumers about the distinctiveness and cultural importance of Vietnamese coffee traditions.
While we are fans of the business model that elevates beans regarded as a commodity, my view is that Nguyen feels like they're buying commodity lots and trying to market them as premium specialty coffee. In addition, since they scaled fairly quickly, they have felt like they have quality control issues to me. I sometimes see this at scaling brands/roasters. I gave them another shot when I started this site and got a bag that was overroasted, and bought a can of cold brew and it was just not good. I think we welcome other opinions here, but Nguyen wouldn't be my pick for Vietnamese coffee. There's a number of small batch specialty roasters doing great things with beans from places like Pleiku I'd go with first.
-Ted Chan, Coffee Roast Managing Editor
