What is a Phin Filter and How do you use it?

What is a Phin Filter and How do you use it?

What is a Phin Filter and How Do You Use It?

The History of the Vietnamese Phin Filter

A phin filter is a traditional Vietnamese coffee brewing device used to make strong, rich drip coffee.

Back in the late 1800s, many Vietnamese people could not afford expensive imported European coffee equipment. Local coffee drinkers and metalworkers adapted French drip brewing into something simpler, smaller and more practical: the phin filter.

The name "phin" itself is a Vietnamese phonetic adaptation of the French word filtre

The Vietnamese basically made the 1800s version of a Nespresso machine, without the pods, electric or fuss. And arguably with a better tasting coffee than any pod can produce. 

An ingenious and more practical in between of a pour over dripper and a French press. It is compact and portable and made from either aluminum or stainless steel. It sits suspended on top of your glass using the unique design of the filter plate.

How do I make Vietnamese Coffee?

The phin filter is a slower but more intentional method of making coffee and low fuss. All you need to pair with the phin filter is a cup or glass for your coffee, hot water, pre-ground Vietnamese Phin Wave Coffee obviously, and 5 mins. 

How to Make Vietnamese Coffee with a Phin Filter

Making Vietnamese coffee with a phin filter is slower than instant coffee, but that’s part of the ritual. It’s intentional, calming and low fuss.

All you need is:

  • A phin filter

  • A cup or glass

  • Hot water

  • Ground Vietnamese coffee

  • 5 minutes

Step 1 - Add the Coffee

Add 3 tablespoons (around 20g) of ground coffee into the brewing chamber of the phin filter.

Use less coffee (around 10g) if you prefer a lighter brew.

Gently shake the filter to level the grounds evenly.

Step 2 - Bloom the Coffee

Pour around 40ml of hot water (92–96°C) evenly over the coffee grounds.

Wait around 60 seconds while the coffee blooms and absorbs the water.

Step 3 - Let it Drip

Pour another 50ml of hot water into the phin filter.

Now wait patiently while the coffee slowly drips into your cup.

For a longer black coffee, simply fill the phin with more hot water.

The full brew usually takes around 5 minutes.

 

What Does Vietnamese Phin Coffee Taste Like?

Vietnamese phin coffee has a rich texture and bold flavour.

Because the phin uses a metal filter instead of paper, natural coffee oils and fine textures pass directly into the cup. The result is a stronger, fuller-bodied coffee with depth and intensity.

Dark. Smooth. Slow-dripped.

Why We Love the Phin Filter

  • No machine

  • No pods

  • No paper filters

  • Reusable and plastic-free

  • Easy to clean

  • Portable

  • Budget friendly

  • Used daily in Vietnam for generations

Unchanged for over a century, sometimes the best inventions don’t need upgrading.

That’s why we called our brand Phin Wave Coffee.

A new coffee wave ritual is coming to the UK.