The Best Brewing Tools (From Around the World) - Omni

The Best Brewing Tools (From Around the World)

The Phin filter is an iconic coffee maker synonymous with Vietnamese coffee culture. A slow-drip method consisting of a brewing chamber, perforated drip plate, perforated insert, and a cap, the Phin is used to make classic Vietnamese coffee drinks like cà phê sữa đá, egg coffee, and coconut coffee. Modern versions like Omni Bev’s Vietnamese Phin Filter Coffee Maker reimagine the traditional brewing method while staying true to the gravity-fueled process that makes Phin coffee so unique.

Outside of Vietnam, many communities around the world have thriving coffee cultures and traditions which span generations. Within these communities lie unique brewing tools like the Phin in Vietnam. Here is our list of some of the best brewing tools from around the world.

Jebena Buna - Ethiopia

Jebena Buna

A traditional Ethiopian Jebena Buna. CC0.

The Jebena Buna is a brewing tool used in traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremonies. The clay pot brewer comes in variations — one with and one without a spout on the side. Brewing coffee with a Jebena Buna in a coffee ceremony generally takes a long time. The method first starts with green coffee beans being roasted on a pan, then ground with a mortar and pestle. These coffee grounds are then placed into the Jebena Buna with water, which is placed directly onto a bed of burning coals. Once steam starts to come out of the brewer, the coffee is ready to serve.

Nel Drip - Japan

Nel Drip.

A barista using a nel drip cloth. Dennis Tang // CC BY-SA 2.0.

In Japan, the Nel Drip is a pour-over method that has been used in cafes around the country since as early as the late-1800s. Similar to other cloth-and-handle coffee makers, which make use of coffee grounds being brewed through a porous cloth, the Nel Drip uses a small fabric cloth that is attached to a handle. A good amount of coffee grounds are placed into the cloth, which is topped off with a small amount of cool water. The Nel Drip takes about five to seven minutes to brew, and results in a smooth, velvety, and thick cup of coffee

Cezve/Ibrik - Eastern Mediterranean

Cezve/Ibrik

A person pouring coffee from a cezve/ibrik. Rose PT // CC BY 2.0.

While the Cezve/Ibrik does not have one single country of origin — the brewing tool is used in countries throughout the Eastern Mediterranean — the pot is famous for the Cezve/Ibrik Championship, an annual event celebrating this unique brewing tradition. Like the Jebena Buna, the Cezve/Ibrik is an immersion brewing method. Finely ground coffee and water are placed into the Cezve/Ibrik, which is then heated over a flame or hot sand. The resulting brew is a uniquely syrupy and strong cup of coffee.

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