Following an inspiring performance at the 2025 World Barista Championship (WBC) in Milan, two-time Philippine National Barista Champion Michael Harris Conlin shared his vision for the future of Filipino coffee. Conlin, who secured a remarkable 13th-place finish and earned the distinction of Best Espresso in Round One of the global competition, has unveiled his groundbreaking invention, The Better Vessel.
Conlin’s performance at the WBC was a testament to collaboration and purpose. His signature espresso—a complex, harmonious blend of Philippine Liberica and Colombian Eugenioides, co-created with producer Wilton Benitez—immediately captured the judges’ attention. The blend was lauded not only for its complexity but also for showcasing the untapped potential of Philippine Liberica on the world stage.
“For a fleeting instant, the world understood what my heart has been trying to say,” Conlin shared, reflecting on his Round One success. “That cup represented people, passion, and the power of working together. It was a clear win for every dreamer who has ever believed that coffee could build bridges instead of walls.”
The core of Conlin’s vision is not about winning trophies, but about driving transformation—embodied by his latest innovation, The Better Vessel. This revolutionary tool is designed to make high-quality espresso more approachable and consistent for both seasoned baristas and everyday consumers.
The Better Vessel achieves this by gently and selectively removing the bitterness and harshness of crema, allowing for a longer, cleaner, and sweeter shot extraction.
“The discoveries we made were never meant to stay on a stage; they were meant to ripple outward,” Conlin said. “The Better Vessel is a small step forward with a big purpose: to bring more people into the world of espresso by making it less intimidating and more inclusive.”
For the professional coffee industry, the tool promises to simplify the dialing-in process, drastically reduce waste, and improve consistency. More importantly, this innovation aims to propel Philippine coffee culture globally by setting a new standard for quality espresso—one that is both technically exceptional and universally appealing.
Conlin believes that by simplifying the science and sharing his techniques, he can uplift the entire local value chain, inspiring Filipino farmers and producers to explore and experiment without fear.
For more details about Michael Harris Conlin and The Better Vessel, please visit thevault.ph.
