Those who enjoy a Café Crème will find the Trinity Zero an interesting portable option. While this coffee press from Australia does not produce a crema, the resulting coffee is quite impressive. The Trinity Zero Coffee Press weighs 115 grams. In terms of size, the Trinity Zero is also very handy.
The brewing chamber is 4.5 cm high. The lid, featuring an integrated rubber lip and finger pump, is placed on top. The brewer itself has a diameter of 9 cm. The 2 cm high coffee chamber can be stored inside the brewing chamber for transport. A fine-mesh stainless steel sieve (AISI 304) is inserted into the brewing chamber.
Brewing instructions for the Trinity Zero
We use 18 grams of medium-fine ground coffee. A grind size in the finer filter coffee range is a good starting point. During brewing, you can then determine if the grind size is correct or if it needs to be adjusted for the next brew.
The water is boiled and used while boiling hot. 100 ml are required. You don't need a scale to add the water, as the water chamber provides a practical reference guide. Once the water has been added, close the lid to prevent any heat loss.
From the moment we pour, we wait about 30 - 40 seconds before we start pressing. Using your thumb or index finger, press the rubber pump area into the brewer. This can be done without any effort.
If the grind size is chosen correctly, a few continuous thin streams of coffee will flow into the collection vessel. If the coffee just drips into the container, the grind is too fine. If the coffee spurts into the vessel in multiple jets, the grind is too coarse.
I recommend pressing down the pump with your thumb and holding it for about 3 - 5 seconds. Then let go so that air can flow into the Trinity Zero, and press again.
After 5 to 7 pumps, all the coffee will be in the cup in about 1.20 to 1.30 minutes.
How does coffee from the Trinity Zero taste?
Sensory-wise, the coffee is reminiscent of a strong long coffee. It tastes the way I imagine a good Café Crème to be, albeit without the crema. The coffee has texture and, depending on the coffee used, feels creamy in the mouth, significantly thicker than a filter coffee.
Compared to filter coffee, the coffee seems concentrated and unusually strong. The sweetness of the drink still creates balance. Because the coffee is only filtered through a metal sieve, fine particles contribute to the mouthfeel of the drink. This distinguishes the coffee from a concentrated AeroPress extraction, which is filtered through paper.
Improving Trinity Zero coffee
Depending on your taste, the extraction of the Trinity Zero can be adjusted or improved. The brew ratio of 18 to 100 ml, i.e., 1:5.55, results in a concentrated cup of coffee with a volume of approx. 70 ml. The concentration of dissolved coffee solids is between 3.2 and 3.5 TDS% (total dissolved solids).
Those who prefer less concentrated coffee can dilute the drink by adding 60 - 80 degree hot water. For example, to turn a 70ml serving with 3.3% TDS into a strong filter coffee with 1.5% TDS, approx. 84 ml of water are added.
Of course, milk or milk foam can also be added. I have written an article here on how to calculate the bypass amount.
Which coffee for the Trinity Zero?
Personally, I like coffees that are roasted for filter coffee. Some filter coffees with distinct acidity are a bit sharp in the concentrated version of the drink. This can be corrected by adding a bypass.
Those who like to drink their coffee mixed with milk are better advised to use a darker roast. This can stand up better to the taste of the milk and leads to a more interesting and complex drink.
For our filter coffees:
For our espresso roasts:
