summary: A comparison of American and Vietnamese coffee culture

1. Rationale In the context of globalization throughout the world, culture is considered as the most vital factor for each nation. It decides the existence of a nation and builds up the national identity. Whatever it is a developed country or developing country, we can not deny the importance of culture. Each society has its own culture which is unique and different from other cultures. However, the term of culture is diversified and may include many aspects. Drinking art is also a very exciting part of culture. Coffee has been drunk for pleasure and health for thousands years. Over the recent years, coffee has become the beverage of choice around the globe, and is now the most popular beverages worldwide, next to water However, coffee making and drinking is not just a personal or in the same way in the world. Its culture brings unique identity of each nation. For example, people in some areas of Africa like drinking coffee with the mint while the Arabs are keen on coffee mixed with chicory to create strange smell. Differing from other parts in the world, Italians fancy drinking espresso with sugar while it is coffee with hot chocolate for German and Swiss people. Unique customs also exist in Mexico – coffee with lemon juice and in the Middle East countries coffee usually added cardamom seeds and pepper. In Vietnam, coffee had just become popular for more than 100 years. First coffee plantations on the stretch shaped the letter S also dated from 1888. And Vietnam now becomes the second’s largest coffee producer and exporter of the world. Coffee drinking habits deeply rooted in the life of many Vietnamese people, and the coffee houses appeared in all corners and streets. It is considered as the distinguished drinking culture after tea culture. In America, it is estimated that 80% of the population drinks coffee and almost half drinks it everyday. Americans use coffee entirely depending on their own taste. They drink comfortably. Wherever at home, school, a public place or anytime, people can smell the distinct aroma of coffee. But like many people in other countries, American and Vietnamese also have coffee cultures in their own ways. However, American coffee culture and Vietnamese one may have some similarities and differences about types of coffee, coffee making and coffee enjoying. More importantly, not many people know about these similarities and differences. Even American or Vietnamese may not know and understand what the unique features about coffee culture their countries have and what their origins are. Therefore, American and Vietnamese coffee culture contrasting and comparison can be a good topic to study about. For these reasons, the researcher of this paper decides to conduct the study with the title: “A comparison of American and Vietnamese coffee culture”. Hopefully, it would be an useful material for students learning English as well as for culture lovers who wish to discover more about the American and Vietnamese culture. 2. Previous researches There are many researches related to coffee and coffee culture around the world. Francis Thurber (1889) had published about Coffee: From Plantation to Cup, A Brief History of Coffee Production and Consumption. Pendergrast. M (1999) researched about Uncommon Grounds: The History of Coffee and How it Transformed Our World. Catherine M. Tucker (2011) mentioned to coffee culture local experiences and global connections which helps us know unique characteristics of different coffee drinking styles. Knikker, R. (2005, March 3) conducted a research about the coffee culture in the USA. In Vietnam, researches on coffee and coffee culture also are conducted. Tran Binh Minh (2011) also had a research on coffee mediate means of the society. However, it is the first time the topic: “A comparison on American and Vietnamese coffee culture” has been conducted by a student at Foreign Language Department of Hung Vuong University in Phu Tho province. This would be an interesting and new topic to study about. 3. Research purposes This study aims at the two following main purposes: Study the history, types of coffee, ways to make a cup of coffee and the style to enjoy coffee of American and Vietnamese. Find out the similarities and differences between American and Vietnamese coffee culture. 4. Research questions This study focus on finding the answers for the following questions: What are the features of American coffee culture? What are the features of Vietnamese coffee culture? What are the similarities and differences between American and Vietnamese coffee culture? 5. Methodology 5.1. Research methods In order to study the research problems, the researcher of this paper uses the following research methods: Theoretical study method: By using this method, the researcher can study the related documents to get information related to the research from different sources about American and Vietnamese coffee culture. Analysis method: the researcher uses this method to analyze the information related to the paper. From the data got from many reliable sources, the researcher makes analysis to have the final results. Comparison and contrast method: This method helps the researcher make a comparison and contrast between American and Vietnamese coffee culture. 5.2. Research procedure Finding out information related to the research from different and reliable sources about American and Vietnamese coffee culture. Studying features of American and Vietnamese coffee culture. Finding out the similarities and differences between American and Vietnamese coffee culture. 6. The significance of the research The study aims to help the readers understand more about the similarities and differences between the American and Vietnamese coffee culture. It also provides helpful information about the history, types of coffee, ways to enjoy coffee as well as the unique features in American and Vietnamese coffee culture. 7. The scope of the research The research gives the typical similarities and differences between American and Vietnamese coffee culture. 8. Hypothesis If the research is successfully completed, it would be an useful material for students learning English. It would also provide helpful information for culture lovers who wish to discover more about the American and Vietnamese coffee culture. 9. Design of the study The study consists of three parts and references. PART A: INTRODUCTION This part introduces an overall view of the research, presents the rationale for the study, previous research, the aims, research questions, methods and significance of the study, scope, hypothesis and outline of the study. PART B: MAJOR CONTENT This part is divided into three chapters: literature review, the study and conclusion. Chapter 1: Literature Review Three main sections are presented, they are: an overview on culture, introduction of coffee and coffee culture. Chapter 2: The study on American and Vietnamese coffee culture This chapter presents the important points about American and Vietnamese coffee culture in terms of the history, types of coffee, the art of making a cup of coffee and the style to enjoy coffee of American and Vietnamese. Chapter 3: A comparison on American and Vietnamese coffee culture It is the main part of this study which points out the similarities and differences between American and Vietnamese coffee culture PART C: CONCLUSION In the conclusion, the researcher will summarize the major findings, limitations of the study as well as suggestions for further researches. Reference

PART A: INTRODUCTION

1 Rationale

In the context of globalization throughout the world, culture is considered asthe most vital factor for each nation It decides the existence of a nation and builds

up the national identity Whatever it is a developed country or developing country,

we can not deny the importance of culture

Each society has its own culture which is unique and different from othercultures However, the term of culture is diversified and may include many aspects.Drinking art is also a very exciting part of culture

Coffee has been drunk for pleasure and health for thousands years Over therecent years, coffee has become the beverage of choice around the globe, and isnow the most popular beverages worldwide, next to water! However, coffeemaking and drinking is not just a personal or in the same way in the world It'sculture brings unique identity of each nation For example, people in some areas ofAfrica like drinking coffee with the mint while the Arabs are keen on coffee mixedwith chicory to create strange smell Differing from other parts in the world,Italians fancy drinking espresso with sugar while it is coffee with hot chocolate forGerman and Swiss people Unique customs also exist in Mexico – coffee withlemon juice and in the Middle East countries- coffee usually added cardamomseeds and pepper

In Vietnam, coffee had just become popular for more than 100 years Firstcoffee plantations on the stretch shaped the letter S also dated from 1888 AndVietnam now becomes the second’s largest coffee producer and exporter of theworld Coffee drinking habits deeply rooted in the life of many Vietnamese people,and the coffee houses appeared in all corners and streets It is considered as thedistinguished drinking culture after tea culture In America, it is estimated that80% of the population drinks coffee and almost half drinks it everyday Americansuse coffee entirely depending on their own taste They drink comfortably.Wherever at home, school, a public place or anytime, people can smell the distinctaroma of coffee

But like many people in other countries, American and Vietnamese alsohave coffee cultures in their own ways However, American coffee culture and

Vietnamese one may have some similarities and differences about types of coffee,coffee making and coffee enjoying More importantly, not many people knowabout these similarities and differences Even American or Vietnamese may notknow and understand what the unique features about coffee culture their countrieshave and what their origins are

Therefore, American and Vietnamese coffee culture contrasting andcomparison can be a good topic to study about For these reasons, the researcher of

this paper decides to conduct the study with the title: “A comparison of American and Vietnamese coffee culture” Hopefully, it would be an useful material for

students learning English as well as for culture- lovers who wish to discover moreabout the American and Vietnamese culture

2 Previous researches

There are many researches related to coffee and coffee culture around the world

Francis Thurber (1889) had published about Coffee: From Plantation to Cup, A

Brief History of Coffee Production and Consumption Pendergrast M (1999)

researched about Uncommon Grounds: The History of Coffee and How it

Transformed Our World Catherine M Tucker (2011) mentioned to coffee culture

-local experiences and global connections which helps us know uniquecharacteristics of different coffee drinking styles Knikker, R (2005, March 3)conducted a research about the coffee culture in the USA

In Vietnam, researches on coffee and coffee culture also are conducted Tran Binh Minh (2011) also had a research on coffee- mediate means of the society However, it is the first time the topic: “A comparison on American and Vietnamese

coffee culture” has been conducted by a student at Foreign Language Department

of Hung Vuong University in Phu Tho province This would be an interesting andnew topic to study about

3 Research purposes

This study aims at the two following main purposes:

- Study the history, types of coffee, ways to make a cup of coffee and the style

to enjoy coffee of American and Vietnamese

- Find out the similarities and differences between American and Vietnamese

4 Research questions

This study focus on finding the answers for the following questions:

- What are the features of American coffee culture?

- What are the features of Vietnamese coffee culture?

- What are the similarities and differences between American and Vietnamesecoffee culture?

- Analysis method: the researcher uses this method to analyze the informationrelated to the paper From the data got from many reliable sources, the researchermakes analysis to have the final results

- Comparison and contrast method:

This method helps the researcher make a comparison and contrast betweenAmerican and Vietnamese coffee culture

5.2 Research procedure

- Finding out information related to the research from different and reliable sourcesabout American and Vietnamese coffee culture

- Studying features of American and Vietnamese coffee culture

- Finding out the similarities and differences between American and Vietnamesecoffee culture

6 The significance of the research

The study aims to help the readers understand more about the similaritiesand differences between the American and Vietnamese coffee culture It alsoprovides helpful information about the history, types of coffee, ways to enjoycoffee as well as the unique features in American and Vietnamese coffee culture

7 The scope of the research

The research gives the typical similarities and differences between Americanand Vietnamese coffee culture

8 Hypothesis

If the research is successfully completed, it would be an useful material forstudents learning English It would also provide helpful information for culture-lovers who wish to discover more about the American and Vietnamese coffeeculture

9 Design of the study

The study consists of three parts and references

PART A: INTRODUCTION

This part introduces an overall view of the research, presents the rationale for thestudy, previous research, the aims, research questions, methods and significance of thestudy, scope, hypothesis and outline of the study

PART B: MAJOR CONTENT

This part is divided into three chapters: literature review, the study and conclusion

Chapter 1: Literature Review

Three main sections are presented, they are: an overview on culture, introduction ofcoffee and coffee culture

Chapter 2: The study on American and Vietnamese coffee culture

This chapter presents the important points about American and Vietnamese coffeeculture in terms of the history, types of coffee, the art of making a cup of coffee andthe style to enjoy coffee of American and Vietnamese

Chapter 3: A comparison on American and Vietnamese coffee culture

It is the main part of this study which points out the similarities and differences

between American and Vietnamese coffee culture

PART C: CONCLUSION

In the conclusion, the researcher will summarize the major findings, limitations ofthe study as well as suggestions for further researches

Reference

PART B: MAJOR CONTENT

CHAPTER 1 LITERATURE REVIEW 1.1 An overview on culture

1.1.1 The definition of culture

'Culture' is considered to be a complex term, and a variety of anthropologists andresearchers have defined it in various ways The way of living, wearing, singing,dancing, drinking, eating and talking are major parts of a culture

1.1.2 The characteristics of culture

There are many different opinions about the characteristics of culture According toChristopher Fuster Bueno (2012) Ph.D, University of Northern Philippines, thecharacteristics of culture are shared; group products; symbolic; learned; patterned;integrated; adaptive; compulsory; cumulative; dynamic and diverse

1.1.3 The significance of culture

E B Taylor (1996) defined culture as "that complex whole which includes

knowledge, beliefs, art, morale, laws, customs and any other capabilities and habitsacquired by man as a member of society” and noted that culture has been fulfilling anumber of functions which may be divided into two - one for the individual and onefor the group

1.2 Introduction of coffee

1.2.1 The history of coffee

According to “the history of coffee” (2013) of the National Coffee Association

of U.S.A, coffee is a major part of Ethiopian culture and Yemenite culture Thiscultural significance dates back to as many as 14 centuries ago, which coffeewas (or was not) discovered in Yemen

1.2.2 Health benefits from coffee

According to the research “Coffee and health: a review of recent human

research” (2006) of Higdon J.V and Frei B.,Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon

State University, Portland, there are some health benefits of coffee

consumption They are containing high source of antioxidants, preventingParkinson’s disease, helping fight depression, preventing cancer, defeatingdiabetes, having hearty benefits and having a better liver.

1.3 Coffee culture

1.3.1 The definition of coffee culture

1.3.2 Coffee culture around the world

This part introduces the typical coffee cultures in the world such as Italy,Ethiopia, Mexico, French, Turkey and Greece

CHAPTER 2 THE STUDY ON AMERICAN AND VIETNAMESE COFFEE CULTURE 2.1 American coffee culture

2.1.1 The history of American coffee culture

2.1.2 Types of coffee in America

The typical coffee is Americano coffee It is fast coffee for busy and movingpeople Essentially, it is a shot of espresso mixed with hot water

2.1.3 The art of making a cup of coffee in America

Americano is American-style coffee made with espresso using coffee machine

An Americano coffee is a shot of Espresso coffee infused with hot water AnAmericano coffee is as intensive as drip coffee, but has a different flavor

2.1.4 The style to enjoy coffee of American

In the U.S, people often drink coffee several times a day, especially in themorning because they considered coffee as “a catalyst” that keeps them awakewhile working Americans often have a habit of visiting a roadside store to buy acup of coffee and go immediately They have no time to enjoy coffee in thecoffee shop They usually put their cup of coffee in the car for convenience, aredriving and drinking

2.2 Vietnamese coffee cultures

2.2.1 The history of Vietnamese coffee culture

2.2.2 Types of coffee in Vietnam

The traditional Vietnamese coffee and its favorite variations are mostlyRobusta and made in absolutely different ways – with a ‘filter’ (or ‘dripper’),and are named based on their characteristics and/or ingredients The mostpopular Vietnamese coffees include:

2.2.2.1 Coffees using filter

* Black coffee

It is bitter, very strong and bold

* Milk coffee (or Brown coffee)

The coffee drips through a filter onto a layer of condensed milk in the cup.Before drinking, drinkers must stir well until the coffee turns caramel-colored

* “Bac xiu” coffee

“Bac xiu (Bạc xỉu)” has origin from Chinese, “bac” is white and “xiu” is a little.Just like milk coffee, but “bac xiu” coffee contains more coffee and condensedmilk or fresh milk plus a little of cocoa

* Egg coffee

This much-loved newbie is becoming very popular among the youth Boiling water

is added into the filter after putting coffee powder in it Egg yolk is whipped until itgets foamy then poured over a little coffee in a cup It is super creamy, tastes a bitlike caramel and chocolate

2.2.2.2 Instant coffee

Instant coffee, also called soluble coffee and coffee powder, is a beveragederived from brewed coffee beans Instant coffee is commercially prepared byeither freeze-drying or spray drying, after which it can be rehydrated Advantage

of instant coffee is the speed of preparation (instant coffee dissolves instantly inhot water)

2.2.3 The art of making a cup of coffee in Vietnam

Vietnamese coffee is best brewed and served as a strong, short cup of coffee;

for which the Phin (filter) is perfect The traditional phin is the perfect space saving

coffee accessory Used widely across Vietnam, these compact single serving filterscreate an individual cup of rich, velvety Vietnamese coffee; perfect brewed over aglass mug to watch the beautiful brewing process These filters create an incomparablecoffee flavor yet requiring no expensive machinery

2.2.4 The style to enjoy coffee of Vietnam

It is no doubt that Vietnamese coffee is the strongest and thickestcoffee species

Coffee is usually served while still brewing It is meant to be enjoyed

at leisure, never in a rush Part of the experience is seeing the coffee slowlydrip into a clear glass An amazing utility of coffee is that it make peoplerelaxed Consequently, towards a cup of coffee, a knight- errant becomegood-natured person, people who is angry becomes gentle one, people who

is bored become funny and people who is tired become strong Coffee isvery much a social and cultural thing for Vietnamese people They drinkcoffee as a means to catch up with friends and talk about life in general.Coffee is part of the culture now, just as much as food is

Trend of coffee culture is gradually changing In Vietnam, besidesspending hours on enjoying black and milk coffee using filers, more andmore people are enjoying instant coffee and others now because they areexceptionally convenient to prepare

3.1.1 Purpose of drinking coffee

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world Therefore, thesimilarity point of American and Vietnamese coffee culture is the purpose ofdrinking coffee Both American and Vietnamese consider coffee a catalyst forkeeping them awake while working According to recent researches, around98% people depend on coffee to help stay awake and remain alert throughoutthe day Professor Andrew Scholey from research centers and cognitiveneuroscience Northumbria University (Britain) have studied and concluded thatcoffee increases the ability to think, to help you really lucid and moreconcentrated in intellectual activities

In addition, both American and Vietnamese drink coffee because of itshealth benefits Caffeine in coffee not only gives the body a jolt, but alsoacts as a mild anti-depressant, boosting certain neurotransmitters in thebrain responsible for happiness Coffee also is a good source of antioxidantsand helps keep the blood healthy, as well as preventing people from having viralattacks, reducing the risk of developments of diabetes and maintaining thecorrect sugar level of the body

3.1.2 Time to enjoy coffee

Both American and Vietnamese drink coffee several times a day depending

on their favorites But they drink mostly in the morning After having breakfast, bothAmerican and Vietnamese often enjoy coffee for the higher concentration, relaxationand flexibility Cafe helps boost morale and job performance The active ingredient

in coffee - caffeine stimulates the brain activity and help people get sober and lucid

on their jobs It also increases the speed and creative thinking Therefore, drinking