Coffee Basics: Phin Filter vs. French Press - Omni

Coffee Basics: Phin Filter vs. French Press

Picture this: you’ve just woken up to the start of the week, and have 20 minutes to spare before your first Zoom call of the day. You remember that you have a fresh bag of Omni Bev’s Signature Blend Vietnamese Roasted Coffee beans, and think to yourself: “I could sure go for a nice iced coffee right about now.”

But how will you brew it?

While there are seemingly an endless number of brewing methods available, the absolute best ways to brew Vietnamese coffee beans are to use a French press or a phin. Both of these methods are popular in Vietnam, and maximize flavor, caffeine, and consistency in every brew.

Portable French Press

The French press is a much more hands-on brewing method than a traditional coffee maker. This method consistently provides a dense, elegant, rich, and pure cup of coffee in every brew—perfect on its own or with a splash of coconut milk or cream. What makes the French press particularly unique is its golden ratio of 1:12 coffee-to-water. In a standard 17 ounce press, this ratio would come out to 30 grams of coffee and 360 grams of water.

Using a French press to brew your coffee takes about 10-12 minutes, and is best served immediately after brewing when the coffee is at its boldest and most complex.

Omni Bev’s Portable French Press is the perfect tool to brew French pressed-coffee, whether at home or on the go. This travel-friendly press allows you to brew cafe-style coffees and teas anywhere, with the double-walled press keeping beverages hot or cold for up to 6 hours. Curious about how to use a Portable French Press? Check out our guide here.

Vietnamese Phin filter

Phins are synonymous with Vietnamese coffee culture—the traditionally metal filter is a unique brewing method standard throughout Vietnam that produces a deep, satisfying coffee. The brew is great served on its own or with ice and sweetened condensed milk to make cà phê sữa đá, Vietnamese Iced coffee.

A phin filter consists of a round, perforated plate, a brewing chamber, a perforated insert, and a cap to keep the heat of the water inside of the phin. Using a phin takes time, as the coffee requires several minutes to brew and drip slowly through the perforated plate into the waiting mug below. This wait time is the perfect opportunity to gather your ingredients to make cà phê sữa đá, answer some quick emails, or simply take a moment to check in with yourself.

Omni Bev’s Modern Phin Filter is a fresh take on the classic Vietnamese brewing method. While stainless steel phins are popular throughout Vietnam, Omni Bev has redesigned the phin with a sleek graphite color that delivers a consistent, slow-drip coffee in every brew. Omni Bev’s phin is lightweight, portable, paper-free, easy to use and clean.

Moreover, Omni Bev's phin uses an innovative method of brewing traditional Vietnamese coffee. Rather than relying solely on gravity like traditional phins do, which can lead to an uneven brew, Omni Bev's phin uses a twist-in filter plate, evenly distributing pressure across the coffee grounds and resulting in a more even brew. To learn more about the different types of phins, read our guide here

When brewing Vietnamese coffee, there is no incorrect method to use. However, for the avid-coffee drinker looking for a method which maximizes flavor, caffeine, and consistency in every brew, both the French Press and the phin are excellent choices. While both methods are a bit more hands-on and take some time, they both emphasize the natural notes of the beans used, and create coffee best enjoyed on its own or as a base for lattes, cà phê sữa đá, and much more.

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