Nước Mía

Nước mía is a popular Vietnamese beverage made from freshly squeezed sugarcane juice.

Lastest Updated May 27, 2024
Verified by A-Z Cuisines Team
Home » Beverages A-Z » Nước Mía

Fact: In Vietnam, nước mía is sold everywhere at a low and affordable price for everyone.

Flag of Vietnam#7 in Vietnam

Basic Information

Nước Mía: Basic Information

Pronunciation

/nuhwk mee-ah/

Alternative Name(s)

No

Drink Type

Cold non-alcoholic beverages

Mealtime

Anytime
Origin and Region

Nước Mía: Origin and Region

Origin

Vietnam

Continent’s Region

Southeast Asia

Country’s Region

Nationwide Origin

Associated Region

Unspecified
Vietnam Map
Popular Variation
Popular Variation
Popular Variation

Popular Nước Mía Variations

Ingredients and Preparation

Nước Mía: Ingredients and Preparation

Main Ingredients

Sugarcane

Main Preparing Method

Juicing

Preparation Process

Sugarcane stalks are run through a motorized machine to press out the juice.
A Deep Dive

Nước Mía: A Deep Dive

Cultural Significance

A common and widely available drink on the street of Vietnam

Taste

Sweet

Texture

Liquid

Aroma

Fresh, refreshing, sweet

Color

Light greenish to yellow hue

Serving Style

In glasses, plastic bags, or cups

Serving Temperature

Cold

Accompaniment

Gỏi cuốn, bánh mì, bánh xèo

Occasions

On any occasions

Calories

104 calories, according to data of MyFitnessPal for a glass of Nước Mía

Popularity

Worldwide (Brazil, India, Indonesia, etc.)

Popular Similar Drinks

  1. Nước Ép
  2. Nước Dừa
  3. Sinh Tố
  4. Cam Vắt

Popular Dining Area

Street vendors, local eateries, and juice stands in Vietnam

Nước mía is a Vietnamese drink made by extracting sugarcane plants’ juice for serving with ice. Popular around the world, nước mía is also adored in Vietnam for its refreshing property and natural sweetness. In Vietnam, nước mía is sold everywhere, often on the side of the street.

Nuoc Mia Infographic

Aside from the sugarcane, locals often include some tangy or sour elements like kumquat, orange, or pineapple. Usually, people run the sugarcane sticks multiple times through a motorized sugarcane pressing machine to get all the juice out.

Interestingly, nước mía’s color varies greatly depending on the sugarcane used, often ranging from light green to pale yellow. However, that’s not it for nước mía, as the Vietnamese population also adds many local ingredients to customize the flavor of this refreshing drink.

To know more about sugarcane juice in Vietnam, uncover the various versions of nước mía. Then, unravel the potential options that go with nước mía along with the pros and cons of drinking it.

Then, learn about the inquiries relating to this drink. Also, I’ll leave you with some drinks that are like nước mía.

Key Points

  • Nước mía is a sugarcane juice in Vietnam.
  • It is made by pressing sugarcane to get the juice.
  • Nước mía has a greenish to yellow color.
  • Locals infuse the juice with other elements for added flavors.

Nước Mía Images

What Are the Variants of Nước Mía in Vietnam?

By incorporating many local elements to produce new flavors, nước mía has all sorts of versions in Vietnam:

Nuoc Mia Tac

Sugarcane juice with a tangy twist from kumquat (tắc), adding a citrusy flavor

Nuoc Mia Mit Rau Cau

Sugarcane juice combined with jelly (rau câu), peanuts, and jackfruit
A specialty of the Southwest region in Vietnam

Nuoc Mia Rau Ma

A blend of sugarcane juice with pennywort (rau má), known for its cooling properties and nutritional benefits

Nuoc Mia Sau Rieng

Sugarcane juice infused with the distinctive taste of durian (sầu riêng)
Has a bold and creamy flavor profile

Nuoc Mia Cot Dua

Sugarcane juice with coconut cream (cốt dừa)

Nuoc Mia Tran Chau

Sugarcane juice served with tapioca pearls (trân châu), adding a chewy texture to the refreshing drink.

Before quenching your thirst with nước mía, allow me to introduce you to some of the dishes to enjoy with this sugarcane juice.

What to Have with Nước Mía?

In Vietnam, nước mía is a refreshing drink to go with any delicacies. Here are some suggestions for you to try:

Banh Mi

Vietnamese street food

Nước mía pairs well with various Vietnamese street foods like bánh mì (Vietnamese sandwich), gỏi cuốn (spring rolls), or bánh xèo (Vietnamese crispy pancakes).

Cha Gio

Savory snacks

Enjoy it with savory snacks like chả giò (Vietnamese fried spring rolls) or savory pastries, which provide a nice contrast to the sweet juice.

Cua Rang Me

Seafood

It can also go well with various seafood dishes, especially those that are lightly seasoned or grilled. Alternatively, nước mía is great for toning down the bold profile of cua rang me.

Also, you should have a look at the pros and cons of quenching your thirst with nước mía to avoid any adverse effects.

Pros and Cons of Drinking Nước Mía

To enjoy nước mía, you should take a look at some of the features that affect your decision whether to drink it or not:

Pros

  • Antioxidant Properties: Sugarcane juice has antioxidant properties that can help in fighting infections and boost immunity.
  • Natural Sweetness: Nước mía is naturally sweet without the need for added sugars, making it a healthier alternative to artificially sweetened beverages.
  • Liver Health: Nước mía is often touted for its liver-strengthening properties, including potentially aiding in conditions like jaundice due to its alkalizing effect and nutritional content.
  • Customizability: Nước mía has various additions to alter the flavor profiles.

Cons

  • High Sugar Content: Despite being natural, the sugar content is high, which can be a concern for people with diabetes or those watching their sugar intake.
  • Quality Concerns: If not prepared hygienically, sugarcane juice can be a breeding ground for bacteria, potentially leading to foodborne illnesses.

Next, make sure to explore the common concerns that people often have relating to nước mía.

Nước Mía FAQs

Overconsumption can lead to increased blood sugar levels, and unhygienic preparation can cause health issues.

It’s best consumed fresh, as storage can lead to fermentation and loss of nutrients.

It is relatively high in calories due to its natural sugar content.

It’s refreshing on hot days or after physical activities, but can be enjoyed anytime.

It’s hydrating, rich in minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron, and has vitamins B and C.

Yes, but caution is advised due to its high sugar content, and it’s best to consult with a healthcare provider.

Similar Beverages of Nước Mía

Nuoc Ep

Nước ép is a Vietnamese term for fruit juice, typically freshly squeezed or pressed from fruits.

Nuoc Dua

Nước dừa is Vietnamese for coconut water, the sweet and transparent liquid extracted from young coconuts.

Sinh To

Sinh tố is the Vietnamese version of smoothie, usually made from pureed fruits, fresh milk, and condensed milk.

Cam Vat

Cam vắt is the Vietnamese version of orange juice, which is made by squeezing fresh oranges.

Adam Sam

Adam Sam

Senior Food and Drink Editor

Expertise

Food Writer & Recipe Developer, Recipe Tester, Bartender, Cooking-video Maker, Editor In Chief

Education

  • University of Gastronomic Sciences – Pollenzo (Italy) (MA Food Culture, Communication & Marketing)
  • Johnson & Wales University (US) (Baking and Pastry Arts)
  • Professional Bartender at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Adam Sam, an experienced food writer and recipe developer, is passionate about blending diverse culinary traditions, national dishes, and innovative beverages, showcasing his proficiency in both traditional and modern recipe testing.

As the Editor-in-Chief, he elevates culinary content from street food to fine dining, focusing on Western cuisine and types of drinks at azcuisines.com, and is professional in creating engaging cooking videos that simplify complex dishes and ingredients.

His passion for food is evident in his writing, where he uniquely merges various cultures, traditions, and contemporary trends, skillfully combining classic recipes with modern cooking methods.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *