Village de L'Est is the neighborhood in New Orleans East with the largest population of Vietnamese Americans (both New Americans and NOLA born and bred). Didn't know that New Orleans has a thriving population of ethnically Vietnamese people? It does, and is has for more than 50 years.
Vietnamese Iced Coffee (Cà phê sữa đá) is delicious cold and sweet treat made by brewing coffee in a phin filter atop a glass containing condensed milk and ice. We know you're wondering what this has to do with New Orleans. Well reader, would you believe that a New Orleans based coffee brand is the most popular coffee for making Cà phê sữa đá in the U.S.?! It is. As the people group acclimated to their new home, they quickly realized that New Orleans style coffee and chicory was the perfect approximation for coffee from home. Wondering about the most popular New Orleanian brand used? I'm not telling you.
Why? Well, because you should buy coffee from Vietnamese American woman owned business instead.
About the COOKIE: The Village de L'Est is made with two doughs, one a cream flavored shortbread, one a Vietnamese espresso flavored and speckled shortbread. The doughs are swirled together to mimic the sultry way that the condensed milk is thinned by and flows into the coffee in the traditional drink.
Sold by the half dozen
pairing suggestions: dark chocolate, berries, hazelnut spread, salty caramel ice cream