Better Vessel Review: The Espresso Crema Filter Tool Changing Modern Coffee Extraction

 Over the past year or two, I’ve noticed something interesting while visiting cafés: people are experimenting with new, nontraditional approaches to making espresso—the very foundation of all espresso-based drinks. One of the biggest changes is that some baristas are now filtering out the crema, the oily layer on top of the espresso, to produce a cleaner and sweeter shot.

Another trend that has become increasingly popular is “super-extraction.” To achieve a cup with pour-over-like clarity, many cafés filter out the crema using special filter papers during the extraction process.

Some people believe that crema is the very soul of espresso. Remove it, and it feels like you’re drinking... nothing. Since everyone’s flavor preferences differ, there’s no definitive right or wrong here. Filtering out crema is usually done in preparation for making other drinks. But if I ordered a straight espresso and the barista filtered out the crema without telling me, I might actually jump in protest—just kidding… sort of.

Today, I’m not here to debate whether removing crema is right or wrong. Instead, let’s talk about how people are removing it. Aside from the extremely demanding setup used for super-extraction—where filtering happens inside the portafilter using specialized medical-grade filter papers that can cost 1–2 RMB per sheet—many cafés opt for a much simpler, low-cost solution: the same stainless-steel oil-filtering bowl commonly found in home kitchens.

I’ve tried using one myself to filter espresso crema. While it doesn’t remove everything completely, it does a good enough job to produce a clean, crema-free Americano.

I’m not sure whether removing crema will become a standard procedure in the future, but tools designed specifically for this purpose are still quite rare. That’s why baristas often borrow tools that weren’t originally created for coffee at all. Recently, I came across a tool called Better Vessel, designed for use after espresso extraction. It doesn’t even have an official product category—some media outlets describe it as the “Clever Dripper of espresso,” but in reality, its core function is simply to act as a crema-filter bowl.

Better Vessel gained wider recognition thanks to Michael Harris, the Philippine Barista Champion in both 2019 and 2025. Although he only made it to the semifinals in those WBC competitions, some of his ideas are worth discussing. He designed and used this tool to more easily remove crema from espresso, showcasing the coffee’s purest flavors and enhancing clarity, sweetness, and balance.

His belief is that crema contributes bitterness and harshness; removing it leads to a smoother mouthfeel. At the same time, this method also creates a better foundation for subsequent drinks. Whether you’re making a black coffee or a milk-based beverage, it allows for more flexibility, higher tolerance for error, and a clearer, cleaner flavor profile.

The core design of Better Vessel features a safety ball-lock mechanism with a gasket—very similar to the system in the HARIO Clever Dripper. It works as a standalone vessel for espresso: once the shot is pulled into it, you can place it over a cup and release the ball-lock to filter out the crema. The entire unit is made of durable, food-safe materials. After each use, it must be rinsed immediately with warm water. The ball lock and gasket should be removed and thoroughly cleaned. For deeper cleaning, the components can be soaked in a diluted espresso-machine cleaning solution. Before reassembly, make sure all parts are completely dry.

This tool cannot be placed in a dishwasher and should not be exposed to boiling water or high temperatures.

As of the time I’m writing this article, the product displayed on its designated shopping website is a 3D-printed prototype created by Better Vessel. Although tested in professional environments, it is still in the development stage. The material is food-safe, but it is not yet the final injection-molded version; future versions will feature improvements in surface finishing and materials. According to their official website, they aim to begin mass production of the injection-molded Better Vessel in the first quarter of 2026. The current prototype is listed on their site for 3,880 Philippine pesos.