BY VASILEIA FANARIOTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT

Featured images courtesy of Higher Vessel. All different images by Vasileia Fanarioti.

Having interviewed Michael Harris Conlin not too long ago, we had been already intrigued by the philosophy behind the Higher Vessel. The Filipino espresso competitor spoke passionately about how this device, which he first launched throughout his routine on the 2025 World Barista Championship again in October, may reshape espresso extraction and spotlight the nuances of crema. 

Now, with the single- and double-shot variations in my arms, I lastly had the prospect to place it to the take a look at and see if it lived as much as the promise. 

Unboxing + Preliminary Ideas

Lifting the vessels from their packaging, I had each the Common model (in single- and double-shot codecs) and the XL capability model in entrance of me. Instantly, the precision stood out. The 3D-printed surfaces really feel purposeful relatively than polished-for-show, and the shape is not like something in a typical espresso accent lineup. 

The Common measurement is compact and clearly designed round normal espresso volumes. The XL, nonetheless, is noticeably deeper, constructed to deal with roughly ±80 grams of espresso. That expanded capability makes it significantly related for higher-dose extractions, longer ratios, or when working with bare portafilters the place yield can climb rapidly. In observe, that additional headroom issues—particularly in the event you’re pushing extraction boundaries.

Additionally included was a cup adapter, designed to accommodate wider cups. This can be a considerate addition, as cup compatibility rapidly turns into a part of the dialog when working with a gravity-based device like this. 

You may instantly inform this isn’t meant to be ornamental—it’s designed to take a seat in a workflow below strain, actually and metaphorically. The inside bowl and locking base mechanism are central to its operate: holding crema again whereas permitting the espresso liquid beneath it to empty. 

At its core, the Higher Vessel capabilities as a gravity-fed crema separator. Espresso is pulled straight into it, and as soon as positioned atop a cup, the valve on the base opens. The liquid espresso flows out from under whereas the crema stays suspended within the higher chamber. The result’s a shot served with out its prime foam layer—a deliberate elimination of what many argue can contribute bitterness and mute readability. 

It’s a easy idea in idea. In observe, as I found, it opens up a way more layered dialogue about taste, texture, and private desire. 

Check Drive: Extractions, Recipes, and Observations

I put each variations by a wide range of situations – totally different ratios, shot instances, and grind sizes. Right here’s what emerged.

Situation 1 – Customary Single Shot

I began with what many think about a baseline espresso recipe: a single shot utilizing a ratio not removed from 1:1.4 (for instance, 18 grams in / ~25 grams out over ~25–30 seconds). In a standard extraction, crema varieties and stabilizes—a thick, golden layer that often smells intense and fragrant. 

Pulling this shot straight into the Higher Vessel and releasing it, the outcome was instantly cleaner in look—and in my cup, the sweetness was extra pronounced. What struck me first wasn’t “crema is dangerous.” It was that the underlying espresso flavors merely turned simpler to concentrate on. With out the froth, I may style acidity, sweetness, and physique with out the distracting bitterness that crema typically provides. 

With this ratio and timing, eradicating crema gave a cup that felt much less aggressive in bitterness and extra linear in taste notion, particularly proper out of the gate. 

Situation 2 – Double Shot

Subsequent got here the double-shot model. I used a extra conventional ratio—round 1:2 (as an example, 18 grams in / ~36 grams out, ~25–30 seconds), which is frequent for fuller espresso extraction. Right here the impact was subtler. 

The double shot produced extra crema to start with. After I used the double vessel to strip that layer away, I observed two issues: 

1. Smoother Physique: The cup felt rounder and fewer aggressive with out the crema on prime. 
2. Warmth and Texture Shift: As a result of there’s extra liquid quantity, the espresso cooled barely throughout the crema separation course of. I can’t say definitively that the Higher Vessel brought on vital warmth loss, however there was a perceptible distinction between straight-to-cup extraction and the vessel methodology. 

This strengthened the concept that crema isn’t universally “dangerous”—it’s a textural and taste element that interacts with shot quantity and recipe. Some coffees profit from its presence; others reveal extra nuance with out it. 

Situation 3 – Ratios and Extraction Occasions

Essentially the most revealing a part of my testing got here after I started pushing recipes past the usual. I deliberately tried: 

• A brief, high-intensity shot (larger dose relative to yield, sooner circulate) 
• A longer, larger yield extraction (slower drip -> extra soluble extraction) 

What I discovered was fascinating:

• Within the brief, intense photographs, crema elimination accentuated bitterness lower than anticipated—as a result of the liquid itself had stronger flavors that had been solely partially extracted. Right here, eradicating crema cleaned up the cup in a pleasing manner. 

• In longer extractions, which regularly danger over-extraction bitterness, eradicating the crema highlighted that bitterness much more clearly. In these circumstances, leaving the crema on the espresso really balanced the style for my palate. 

In different phrases, utilizing the Higher Vessel turns into a way of sensory schooling, letting you style how extraction variables and brew ratios actually have an effect on sweetness, acidity, and bitterness with out the masking impact of froth. 

Cleansing + Upkeep

After a number of periods, cleansing was simple. A rinse below heat water and delicate drying preserved the vessel’s clean floor. The 3D-printed materials resists staining and scratches, although I averted abrasive scrubbing to keep up the end. Upkeep is easy, which makes it straightforward to combine into common workflow, whether or not at house or in an expert setting. 

Present Limitations + Concerns

It’s necessary to keep in mind that the model I examined is a 3D-printed prototype. Whereas it’s absolutely useful and clearly refined by skilled use, it’s nonetheless a part of an ongoing improvement section. The floor exhibits the delicate layer strains typical of 3D printing—nothing that impacts efficiency, however seen upon shut inspection. Future variations are anticipated to refine end and materials consistency additional.  

In each day use, I did encounter a couple of sensible limitations. Match is one. Cups with handles may be difficult—the vessel wants a steady, degree seat to permit espresso to go cleanly by. On dealt with espresso cups, the vessel typically sat inconsistently, which interfered barely with drainage. That’s a workflow consideration for cafés utilizing conventional porcelain with pronounced handles. 

Extra surprisingly, I skilled one occasion with a handle-less espresso cup the place the espresso merely wouldn’t go by as anticipated. The cup form appeared appropriate, but the espresso hesitated and failed to empty correctly. Whether or not this was because of airflow dynamics, rim dimensions, or minor tolerance variations within the prototype model, it’s one thing customers ought to concentrate on. Compatibility might rely extra on cup geometry than one would possibly initially assume. 

Who It’s For

From my expertise, the Higher Vessel isn’t a “must-have” for each house barista—and it doesn’t attempt to be. What it presents as an alternative is one thing extra nuanced: a method to query assumptions about crema and style espresso from a barely totally different perspective.  

For individuals who get pleasure from dialing in recipes, adjusting ratios, and exploring how extraction variables form taste, it turns into a genuinely partaking device. It feels significantly related for professionals refining competitors routines or pushing readability and steadiness in high-level service.  

However even for curious fans, it gives a structured method to discover how crema influences bitterness, sweetness, texture, and total notion. Used thoughtfully, it encourages experimentation and deeper sensory consciousness—not by promising a greater espresso each time, however by serving to you higher perceive the one you’ve made. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vasileia Fanarioti (she/her) is a senior on-line correspondent for Barista Journal and a contract copywriter and editor with a major concentrate on the espresso area of interest. She has additionally been a volunteer copywriter for the I’M NOT A BARISTA NPO, offering content material to assist educate individuals about baristas and their work.

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