Different Types of Coffee Filters, and the Coffee They Produce

Making a perfect cup of coffee is extremely rewarding. It all comes down to which brew equipment should you buy first. It is not hard to find places offering high-quality brewing equipment. But it was extremely overwhelming to decide which type of filter should I use. Paper, metal, and cloth filters are the most common types of filters.

Paper filters are widely used and readily available at any coffee shop. But, they create a dent on our environment and pockets. There is no doubt that they are easy to manage. The metal filters on the other end are difficult to find and expensive. Using this filter, you need to make sure that the grind for coffee is perfect or else you will find fine coffee particles in your cup.

Cloth filters are environmentally friendly, sustainable, economical and give a perfect cup of coffee. They need some maintenance, but that does not overshadow the advantages they possess. In this article, we will be reviewing the different coffee filters so that you can choose your favorite and make a perfect cup of coffee.

Paper Filters

Paper filter provides a clear, light and brighter cup of coffee. Most paper filters are inexpensive and easy to find. They are easy to clean and also prevents coffee fines from entering your cup. As these filters are not reusable, you will have to buy them regularly. There are two types of paper filters: bleached and unbleached.

Bleached paper is the one that has undergone a process to make them look white and unbleached paper is similar to the brown bag you get when you purchase something at a local grocery store. Bleached people aren’t good for the environment. One, they take an extra step in the manufacturing process. Second, they pollute the environment when discarded because they are bleached with chlorine and oxygen.

Metal filters

Metal filters usually consist of perforated stainless steel or aluminum which produces an oily, full-bodied coffee. When properly brewed, coffee has a richer flavor and aroma. They are reusable and eco-friendly, but the initial cost will be higher. It’s easy to clean them after brewing by rinsing them properly under running water. Many coffee brewing equipment are pre-equipped with metal filters. The following are a few examples: Espresso, Moka pot, Vietnamese coffee makers, and many more. They allow coffee oil to pass into your cup, which gives it a bolder taste and a stronger mouthfeel. There is a chance that you may find fine sediments in your cup if the coffee beans are not properly ground. These usually ruin the taste of the coffee.

Cloth Filters

The popularity of cloth filters has increased dramatically in the past few years. They are reusable, good for the environment, and extremely cheap. It has all the advantages of paper filters such as preventing fine coffee from entering the cup. They are a lot more sustainable and at a fraction of the price of paper filters.

Cloth filters consume the highest effort while cleaning. As the filter ages, coffee grounds accumulate in the cloth, causing the water to flow slower than usual. These filters also absorb the oil and flavors from your beans. But there are easy hacks to avoid by taking proper care of your filter. One such home remedy is to add your filter into the boiling water with some baking soda.

We believe cloth filters offer a great deal of potential, given the pros and cons of each kind of filter. They are currently undervalued, but most coffee lovers are relying on newer and better equipment.

If you need another perspective on this. Check out this comparative piece by our friends at Cafe Handcrafted, Bhopal.

~Adhi Savla from Wobh