I have to admit something right at the start: I’m a fan of coffee. Honestly, I’ll drink any kind of coffee you serve me – good or bad, specialty or instant, with milk or sugar or nothing, I drink it all. I have tried countless varieties, which is a result of my journey to many places.

It is easy to claim that you’re a coffee lover. However, if a bad cup can depress you, or you can only enjoy a specific type, something feels off to me. In this case, you are a fan of that particular coffee, not coffee itself. To truly love coffee, you should enjoy whatever’s served to you. Due to the difference in culture and local taste, the coffee styles vary, sometimes dramatically, across countries or even regions.

Take Vietnam as an example, the coffee preferences in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are not the same. In Hanoi, the favorite coffees are black, brown, egg coffee, salty coffee, because the local people prefer bitterness. In Ho Chi Minh City, the favorite ones are ice milk, “ca phe cot dua”, “bac xiu”, etc… with more sweetness. However, generally, Vietnamese coffee is viewed as “strong”, “robust” by foreigners, because of the bitterness in widely used Robusta beans.

This pattern of distinct tastes and styles repeats across countries. Take Malaysia and Singapore as examples, which are not well-known countries for coffee. However, the people there still have a unique way to enjoy, especially with take-away coffee. Order one at a local stall, and the waiter might pour it into a plastic bag. Many foreign people are shocked, claiming it looks like a “vomit bag”. Actually, it is the authentic way that local people drink their coffee. If you want to experience as a local, try it – I did, and it’s great.

Also, there is a wide range of coffee that you can find at local restaurants there. For examples, Kopi, Kopi O, Kopi C, Kopi Susu, Kopi Siu Dai, Kopi Po, Kopi O Kosong, etc… The names reflect the different blends of coffee with sugar, water, condensed milk, evaporated milk, etc. There is also a special type of coffee named White Coffee – the coffee mixed with margarine. FYI, I’ve tried all of them and found no problems with any.

From Hanoi’s salty sips to Singapore’s bagged brews, coffee’s taught me one thing: the world’s too big for just one style. I do not refer to European countries, because they have a longer history of drinking coffee. The coffee style and taste there are more standardized. Therefore, I have nothing to complain and comment about. I’ve loved every cup I’ve met, and I’m already chasing the next. Where’s your favorite coffee hiding?