Vietnamese Phin

The phin is a steel or aluminium filter that rests on the glass. It has a camera with holes in the background, a disc that presses the coffee and a cap. The water drips slowly through the coffee and falls directly into the cup.

16-20 g of medium-fine coffee is used for 100-120 ml of water at about 96 ° C. Place the disc with a light pressure, put 25-30 ml of water for the bloom, wait 30-40 seconds, fill up and cover. It should drip in 4-6 minutes; if it goes too fast, grind more thin or tighten the disk a little more. For a cà phê sħa, put before 20-30 g condensed milk in the glass.

• In favor: very small and unbreakable.
• In favor: very concentrated coffee, with notes of bitter chocolate.
• Against: the drip rate is capricious at first.
• Against: it makes a single cup, which colds as it drips.

A phin costs €5-15. Better stainless steel than aluminium, and about 100 ml. It is traditionally used with robust or blends that carry it.

It's already a very cheap option. If you don't find it, an AeroPress with little water gives an equally intense coffee.