Each brewing method has its own strengths and weaknesses. The best choice depends on your business model, café size, customer preferences, and the type of coffee experience you want to offer.
1. Vietnamese Phin Filter
The traditional Vietnamese phin filter has long been the preferred brewing method for lovers of authentic Vietnamese coffee.
Advantage:
- The phin is ideal for small cafés with a moderate number of customers. Guests can enjoy the slow brewing process, watching the coffee drip gradually into the cup while savoring a uniquely Vietnamese coffee experience.
- Phin filters are inexpensive, making them an affordable investment. Café owners can easily purchase multiple filters without a significant upfront cost.
Disadvantage:
- Brewing with a phin is time-consuming. Both preparation and extraction take considerably longer than modern brewing methods, making it less suitable for customers who are in a hurry.
- In particular, when considering the flavor of coffee brewed with a coffee machine, filter coffee will not be as strong, pure, or flavorful. That is also why filter coffee is no longer as convenient or popular.
2. Coffee Machine:
In recent years, professional coffee machines have become the standard choice for cafés, restaurants, and specialty coffee shops. Designed for speed and consistency, they are capable of producing espresso as well as popular milk-based beverages such as cappuccinos and lattes.
Advantage:
- Coffee machines significantly reduce preparation time. Depending on the model, they can produce between 100 and 300 cups per hour, making them ideal for high-volume cafés.
- Modern machines feature powerful boilers and programmable controls that ensure stable brewing temperature and pressure.
- Automatic dosing and water control help reduce coffee waste while maintaining consistent quality.
- They allow cafés to offer a wide variety of drinks, including espresso, cappuccino, latte, flat white, americano, and many other espresso-based beverages.
- Available in a wide range of sizes and price points, coffee machines can accommodate businesses from small independent cafés to large commercial operations.
When is Investing in a Coffee machine the right choice?
+ Consider your target customers:
If your customers appreciate the slow, traditional experience of Vietnamese drip coffee and don't mind waiting a few minutes, brewing with a phin remains an excellent option.
However, if your clientele prefers modern coffee drinks, quick service, and espresso-based beverages, investing in a coffee machine is the better choice.
+ Consider your café's size:
For newly opened or small cafés with limited capital, starting with traditional phin brewing can be a practical and cost-effective solution. As your business grows and customer traffic increases, upgrading to a single-group espresso machine can improve efficiency and expand your menu.
For established cafés serving approximately 50 to 100 customers per day or more, a professional espresso machine becomes a worthwhile investment.
It not only speeds up service but also enables the preparation of a broad selection of beverages, including espresso, cappuccino, latte, and other specialty coffee drinks.
Above is a comparison of two methods of brewing coffee: using a coffee machine or a filter. Hopefully, this information will be helpful to many users. Good luck!