Vietnamese Coffee Filter (Phin): How to Use It

Coffee is deeply ingrained in Vietnamese culture and cuisine, and its popularity has now spread worldwide. In Vietnam, the coffee is brewed using a Phin filter, which can be a bit confusing for first-timers.

Today, I’ll guide you on how to choose the right Phin filter and walk you through the steps to use it.

The History of Vietnamese Coffee and the Phin Filter

Coffee was introduced to Vietnam by the French during their colonial period.

Along with coffee, many fruits in Vietnam were also introduced by the French. Several French-Vietnamese fusion dishes also emerged during this era, such as Bánh Mì and Pâté Chaud.

Coffee was introduced to Vietnam by the French but declined during the two Indochina wars. Its revival came in the 1980s, thanks to East Germany.

Facing a coffee crisis , East Germany invested in Vietnamese coffee production. This investment helped Vietnam rapidly establish itself after 1990 as the world’s second-largest coffee producer, second only to Brazil.

To make authentic Vietnamese coffee, a Phin filter is essential.

The Phin filter is a modern evolution of the first coffee maker, invented by Jean-Baptiste de Belloy, Archbishop of Paris in the 19th. His design featured two stacked containers separated by a chamber for coffee grounds. Boiling water was poured into the top container, allowing the coffee to slowly infuse and drip into the bottom.

While most drip coffee today is made with paper filters, the Phin filter—a direct descendant of de Belloy’s design—remains a staple in Vietnam, deeply embedded in the country’s coffee culture.

The word “Phin” originates from the French word “filtre,” meaning filter. Through adaptations during the French colonization of Vietnam, the Phin filter evolved into what it is today—simplified, lightweight, portable, and affordable, making it ideal for brewing coffee anywhere.

The Components of a Phin Filter

A Phin filter is made up of several parts: a perforated plate that sits on top of your glass, a chamber that rests on the plate, an insert tamper to lightly compress the coffee grounds, and a lid to retain heat during the brewing process.

How to choose a Phin Filter

A Phin coffee filter is typically made from materials like aluminum, stainless steel, or ceramics, each offering its own advantages:

• Aluminum: The traditional and preferred material for Phin filters. It’s inexpensive, lightweight, and excellent at conducting heat, which is beneficial for the coffee’s “bloom.”
  • While aluminum cookware is generally considered non-toxic and safe for cooking, some experts have raised concerns about the potential long-term effects of ingesting small amounts of aluminum, though no definitive link has been proven.
• Anodized Aluminum: This material offers the same heat conductivity as regular aluminum but has a hard, non-stick surface, making it scratch-resistant, durable, and easy to clean.
• Stainless Steel: This material is more durable and safer, but it doesn’t conduct heat as efficiently as aluminum.
• Ceramics: A safe material but heavier and less effective at conducting heat compared to metal options.
  

How to prepare Vietnamese Coffee with Phin Filter

The signature flavor of Vietnamese coffee is dominated by Robusta beans, known for their bold, deep, and earthy taste. This robust profile pairs perfectly with sweetened condensed milk.

When visiting Vietnam, coffee, along with fish sauce and chocolate, always tops my list of recommended souvenirs. I’ve compiled a list of my favorite Vietnamese coffee brands to help you decide easier.

• Start by preheating the Phin filter to enhance the coffee’s bloom. Add a heaping tablespoon of ground coffee to the Phin chamber, then lightly shake it to distribute the coffee evenly. Place the tamper on top of the coffee grounds, but do not press it down.

• Pour a small amount of hot water (175°F/80°C) onto the Phin lid, then place the chamber on top. Add just enough water to moisten the coffee grounds and allow them to bloom.

• Carefully move the chamber onto the Phin plate and then place it over your coffee glass—be cautious, as the Phin will be hot.

• Fill the filter with hot water and let it drip, placing the lid on top. The ideal brewing time is about 4-5 minutes. If the Phin gets clogged, use a spoon to gently unclog it from underneath.

• Add condensed milk to taste, stir well, and add ice cubes if desired. Enjoy your Vietnamese coffee!
  
  

More Recipes with Vietnamese Coffee