
Coffee filters are a key ingredient when brewing coffee, as the coffee filter allows the flavors you want to pass through but leave behind the coffee grounds out of your cup. There are different coffee filter types which allow more or fewer particles to pass through into your beverage. Each coffee filter type has its own advantages and disadvantages, and in this guide, we will cover the pros and cons of each.
Paper Coffee Filters: The Most Common Option
Not only are paper filters affordable, but paper coffee filters are also the most popular choice for pour-over methods. The reason why paper coffee filters are the most popular option is that they allow the least amount of coffee oils and particles to pass through. This clean filtration results in a clean cup of coffee and leaves behind the best flavors in coffee while leaving the excess behind.
The drawback of using a paper filter is that it could leave a paper-like taste to your coffee. Remember to rinse your filter before you brew your coffee so that you minimize having the taste of paper in your coffee. However, if you want to be environmentally friendly, you may want to consider using a cloth filter.
Personally, I love using Hario V60 Paper Coffee Filters Size 02, White, Tabbed, 200-count‘s coffee filters. Hario’s paper filters are always reliable and the capacity of those particular coffee filters is one to four cups of coffee servings.
Cloth Filters
Although you can use cloth filters as a way to save the environment, it isn’t the best method and almost certainly to be the less common way to filter coffee. Cloth coffee filters are best for siphon coffee pots and dare made of various types of fabric. Cloth coffee filters are great if they’re clean, but after many uses, the filter starts to transfer a wet fabric flavor into your coffee; hence, it isn’t as commonly used.
If you’re considering using cloth filters, I highly recommend using Bolio’s organic hemp coffee filter. The eco-friendly coffee filter is made of 100% organic hemp, and it is designed for durability and can be used hundreds of times. They have three different sizings in no. 2, no. 4 and n0. 6. You can use a number 2 size coffee filter for two cups of coffee, number 4 size coffee filter for four cups of coffee, and number 6 size coffee filter for – you guessed it – six cups of coffee.
Metal Filters
Want to try another type of filter instead? How about metal coffee filters? They’re most commonly used for the french press or pour-over coffee makers. Metal filters generally have bigger pores, which allows for larger coffee particles to pass through and creates a sludge at the bottom of a cup of coffee. This sludge is comprised of coffee oils and particles that can result in a stronger coffee. However, the sludge may be offputting to some that would like their coffee to be sludge-free.
Here’s a metal coffee filter that I’d recommend: E-PRANCE Honeycombed Stainless Steel Coffee Filter. E-PRANCE users high-quality stainless steel. Not only that, but it’s also paperless and reusable. The filter cup is designed in a double layer mesh, so it keeps coffee grounds very well in the coffee filter.
Which coffee filter should I choose?
Overall, the coffee filter that you’d like to buy or choose should reflect on the type of coffee maker that you own. If you’re making a pour-over and would like it without coffee grinds and coffee oils, choose paper. If you’re environmentally cautious, choose cloth filters. And finally, if you’re a french press lover, you might want to consider metal filters.