How to Use a Vietnamese Phin Coffee Filter

First introduced by the French, the phin filter is now a uniquely Vietnamese tool used to brew coffee. Made from stainless steel or aluminum, the phin is a no-paper, no-waste traditional tool that helps coffee drinkers get fully immersed into the Vietnamese coffee culture. 

Most phin filters are for a single cup of coffee. Just put them on top of your cup and watch as the coffee drips. There are also bigger versions that are sometimes used in coffee shops so they can make bigger batches in one go.

Parts of the Phin Filter

Phin consists of four different parts:

• Lid - This is used to cover the filter so nothing gets into it while brewing the coffee, and to provide a little dish you can put the filter on after brewing. 
• Strainer - This sits on top of the coffee before you pour in any water to keep the coffee on the bottom of the filter. 
• Filter cup/Chamber - This is where coffee and water go. The top of the cup is open like a normal cup while the bottom is perforated, with holes small enough to let the brew pass through but not big enough to let the coffee grounds out.
• Base/Dish - This perforated dish is necessary to make the filter stay on top of the cup.

Throughout Vietnam, brewing with phin filters is the standard and produces a deep, satisfying coffee. It’s almost synonymous with Vietnamese coffee culture. The brew is best served on its own or you can add any type of milk for a sweet blend.

At Nam Coffee, we don’t just offer three coffee products — Da Lat, District One, and Orange County — we also have three different colors of phin filters you can choose from. 

How to Use a Phin Filter

While phin filters are straightforward and simple to use, there are some things you should know and steps you should follow to get the best results. Here’s a quick how-to:

• Grind up a few tablespoons of premium-grade Nam Coffee.
• Put 2-3 tablespoons of ground coffee on the filter cup and slightly shake the filter so the grounds are evenly distributed. 
• Put the strainer on the cup. Don’t add the water before you do this.
• Put your phin filter over a glass, mug, or whatever you use to drink coffee. 
• Let the coffee bloom. It’s a good idea to let the coffee bloom first as you pour four ounces of boiling water into the brewing chamber and then wait for thirty seconds. 
• Following that initial pour, pour some more water and wait for four minutes for it to finish brewing.  
• If you’re in the mood for something sweet, you can coat the bottom of your cup with some condensed milk. 
• After the coffee is done brewing, you can drop a few ice cubes and pour some milk and sugar according to your preference. We recommend stirring your cup with a spoon to make sure all the added ingredients are fully dissolved into the liquid.

At Nam Coffee, we know there are many ways to enjoy our premium coffee. You can either brew our beans using the traditional phin filter pour-over method, or you can use your favorite coffee maker. Either way, you’re guaranteed a cup of coffee to give you that boost you need for the day.