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Michael Harris Conlin with the Better Vessel. Jeeves de Veyra

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Jeeves De Veyra

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763113829235Michael Harris Conlin with the Better Vessel - 2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Michael Harris Conlin with the Better Vessel. <em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></span></span></span></div><p>A Filipino invention that debuted in the 2025 World Barista Championship (WBC) in Milan, Italy aspires to make espresso better. </p><p>The Better Vessel was developed by Philippine representative Michael Harris Conlin, who showcased it on the world stage with an espresso pulled from a blend of Philippine Liberica from Santa Maria, Laguna, and Colombian Eugenoides that topped the elimination round. Conlin ultimately placed 13th out of 54 competitors, marking the highest finish ever for a Filipino barista at the WBC.</p><p>It may seem counterintuitive, but the Better Vessel exposes the nuanced flavors of espresso by removing the crema. </p><p>Crema may have aesthetic appeal but it also adds bitterness and harsh notes to espresso from the oils and carbon dioxide trapped within. While some coffee drinkers look for that punchy hit, others look for a more balanced cup, particularly when using curated blends or single origin beans.</p><p>It is a hassle removing the crema from espresso with the barista adding a minute or so to carefully spoon it out without taking too much of the espresso beneath. The Better Vessel streamlines this process.</p><p>The Better Vessel is a post-extraction single-shot espresso device. Espresso is pulled into the Better Vessel, whether directly from the portafilter of an espresso machine, or indirectly from a separate serving cup. The barista lets the espresso settle for a bit, and then the device is placed on top of a cup where the rim lifts up a steel ball to let the espresso through while keeping the crema in the vessel and the ball.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQCtqxXgKpT/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A3372498.9%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Conlin has already applied for a patent for the Better Vessel. At its current pre-production version, the 3D-printed Better Vessel prototype is made with PCTG food grade filament then treated to remove any notes of plastic. The prototype’s shell resembles a hemp rope, a salute to the ancestral family business of the Lim’s. The production version that will be available early 2026 will be made with injection molded plastic that’s used by commercial coffee brewers and drippers. </p><p>The best way to try this out is to have two shots of espresso – one with crema, and one without. Then do a comparison side by side. When I tried it out, the crema-less espresso pulled with the Better Vessel retains that intense syrupy thickness. The big difference is when it’s sipped; the fruit and brightness do show up.</p><p>As a postscript to the WBC, Conlins said there was much interest in the Better Vessel.  The units brought to Milan were bought on the spot by future competitors for use in their national competitions next year.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763113879716Better Vessel.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">The Better Vessel. <em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></span></span></span></div><p>The Better Vessel is a great addition to a coffee lovers ever expanding set of coffee tools. While not for everyone, it does make it a lot easier to multiply the ways and flavors of enjoying a cup of coffee.</p><p>The Better Vessel is now available on pre-order at www.thevault.ph via a special Early Adopter Program for P3,880 for Philippine orders and US$70 for foreign orders. For those who pre-order now, they will get the 3D-printed version 1.0 and the final production release when it becomes available.  </p>

<p>Michael Harris Conlin’s Better Vessel made its global debut at the World Barista Championship in Milan, revealing a new way to enjoy coffee.</p>

Michael Harris Conlin’s Better Vessel made its global debut at the World Barista Championship in Milan, revealing a new way to enjoy coffee.

This Filipino invention aims to take espresso to the next level

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This Filipino invention aims to take espresso to the next level

Jeeves De Veyra

Published November 14, 2025 06:00 PM PHT

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Updated November 15, 2025 11:09 AM PHT

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espresso

coffee

Michael Harris Conlin

Better Vessel

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