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Michael Harris Conlins with his Better Vessel. Jeeves de Veyra

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Jeeves De Veyra

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786761894987cover.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Michael Harris Conlin with his Better Vessel. Jeeves de Veyra</div>After a year in the prototype stage, Michael Harris Conlin has released the production version of his Better Vessel.First introduced by Conlin while competing in the 2025 Milan World Barista Championships, the invention caught the attention of fellow competitors by getting Conlin the highest scored espresso in the preliminaries.Conlin proudly shares the credit for the Better Vessel with his son, Liam. What the Better Vessel does is to help baristas easily remove the crema which, while contributing to the aesthetics of espresso, contributes bitter and harsh notes that mask the prized fruitier notes of more premium coffees.Admittedly, the espresso from the Better Vessel is not for everyone as there are coffee drinkers who look for those punchy bitter notes. But for those looking for clarity of flavors with that thicker mouthfeel of espresso, the resulting coffee will be a treat. Even coffee made with pod machines will taste a bit different.The production model addresses many of the criticisms and feedback of the prototype.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786762129586better vessel under a potrafilter.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>The Better Vessel in action. Jeeves de Veyra</div>Common feedback was that it wasn’t meant for use in a café or home brewing setting because of the small capacity. Version 1 was only able to handle single shots (roughly 20 grams) of espresso where the usual standard is a double shot of around 36 grams. Another shortcoming was that it could only be used with tiny espresso cups with most coffee drinkers using much larger ones.Conlin said that the prototype was a requirement of the competition as a bigger version would break the crema and would dock precious points from his routine. The production version has been modified so that I can take in the standard double shots used in cafes for drinks. With the inclusion of an adapter, the vessel can now be mounted on bigger cups.Conlin was trolled specially hard for the use of 3D printing even if he did use food-grade filament. He put in the extra investment to get production molds made so that the final product is made with Ecozen copolymer that was not only heat resistant and food safe, it also contributed to the transparent look of the final product.Conlin observed that the Better Vessel was part of the trend of competitors to use 3D-printed prototypes for competition. “Innovation” is a big part of the scorecard, and improvements to the workflow to shave off time in a routine, or something that enhances the flavors of coffee will get the attention of these judges.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786762023726cremaless espresso.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>&#x27;Crema&#x27;-less espresso. Jeeves de Veyra</div>So far, Conlin has gotten orders from fellow competitors with some using it to win their national barista competitions. American coffee roaster and author Scott Rao tried the Better Vessel when he was in Manila last year and he was so impressed with it that his company now distributes it in North America and parts of Europe.The Better Vessel has become a new beginning for Conlins as he is spinning off an all-new segment of his coffee business with his invention. He is launching Better Tools, a new company dedicated to coffee and barista tools spurred on by Filipino creativity. In development are custom towels for cleaning up the coffee bar, and consumables for coffee manual brews.Conlin will be competing again at the World Barista Championships to be held in Tokyo in May 2027 and who knows how the Better Vessel will become, well, better.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786762184226The better vessel in amber and smoke - FROM WEBSITE..jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>The Better Vessel in amber and smoke. Handout</div><div>The Better Vessel is locally available at www.thevault.ph with an SRP of P3,880.</div>

After a year in the prototype stage, Michael Harris Conlin has released the production version of his Better Vessel.

After a year in the prototype stage, Michael Harris Conlin has released the production version of his Better Vessel.

Better Vessel takes Filipino coffee innovation further

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Better Vessel takes Filipino coffee innovation further

Jeeves De Veyra

Published August 15, 2026 10:56 AM PHT

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Updated August 15, 2026 11:19 AM PHT

Read More:

coffee

espresso

Better Vessel

Michael Harris Conlin

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