The GDR and Vietnam: From Fake Coffee to Coffee Empire

The 1977 GDR coffee dilemma is wellknown. Everyone had a different name for the cheap fake coffee then. Even in West Germany the prizes made people try the fake one.

But what is not wellknown to me, why both parties forbid cross partnerships, where they agreed to a longterm economic partnership.

I was just in Hanoi, and some of their roasters are incredible value for money.

Lots of co-fermented specialty Vietnam-grown Robusta and Liberica at incredible prices, far cheaper than what people would find from roasters that import their beans from Colombia or any of the other big coffee-growing countries.

A fun read. It's interesting to think about the trade limitations imposed on East Germany and how those impacted daily things we take for granted.

Coffee with Chicory? Tres Frenchy. Coffee with Chicory, Oats, and christ knows what? Not chic.

I've driven motorbikes through Dak Lak a few times. Really beautiful area. Just south of there is Da Lat and close by, there is one tiny coffeeshop run by some kids that live there that was my favorite... https://maps.app.goo.gl/PPy3c3T1oreRrDDR6

The article never defines GDR, but I looked it up in case you were also unfamiliar:

The German Democratic Republic (GDR), commonly known as East Germany, was a socialist state in Central Europe that existed from October 7, 1949, to October 3, 1990

What an interesting slice of history.