Posted

on August 17, 2015

It was over
100 years ago that the coffee filter was invented. A German housewife
wanted coffee that was not too bitter, and she poured hot water over a piece of
blotting paper that held the coffee grounds. Years later, coffee makers and
baristas all across the globe still use the same idea.

Unlike the paper filters of the past, the coffee filters of
today come in all shapes, sizes and materials to help you create the perfectly
tasting cup of coffee.Follow along as
we explore the ever-growing world of coffee filters, helping you determine
which will work best for your tasting needs.

Paper Coffee Filters

Coffee filters made of paper are disposable, making cleanup
a breeze. Whether you use brown, white or even bamboo paper, all paper coffee
filters are combustible and easily decomposed.Coffee beans contain a compound called diterpene,
which has been said to raise cholesterol. Paper filters eliminate this oil, and
they are the only types of filters to do so.

One of the only drawbacks with paper coffee filters is
finding the proper size and shape for your coffee maker. Once you’ve found the
proper size, replacing these filters is a breeze. Paper coffee filters
primarily come in two types – bleached and unbleached. While true coffee
enthusiasts claim bleached as the only way to go, there are only small taste
differences between the two.

Cloth Filters

While cloth filters have always been popular in Europe, Asia and Latin America, they are just starting
to gain some ground here in the United States. Made
from a reusable fiber, cloth filters can be
used repeatedly without worry. The weave of the cloth has a lot to do
with how your coffee will taste, as the finer the weave, the less sediment
escaping through the filter.

Hemp is one of the more
common fiber choices for cloth filters, and it is typically grown organically
making it an environmentally green choice. Cloth filters do wear out
after about three to six months of use, and you do have to clean the filter after each
use to avoid poor tasting brews.

Permanent Filters

Permanent coffee filters are
typically made of a metal, such as
stainless steel or gold. These filters are designed to be reused, and while there is an initial investment, with proper
care and cleaning you will get years of quality coffee with these filters. The holes in a permanent filter are typically
larger than that of cloth or paper, resulting in a stronger cup of coffee and
potentially more sediment than is you used a tightly woven fiber or paper
filter.

Like the cloth filter, don’t forget to wash your permanent
filter after each use to keep bacteria and germs from building up. While many
permanent filters are dishwasher safe, washing them by hand is the best way to
extend the life of your filter.

So which filter will work best for your needs? The truth is
that your choice of filter is all up to how you like to take your coffee. If a
stronger, more complex taste is what you’re
after, give permanent filters a try. If cholesterol is a concern, stick to the classic paper filter.

Regardless of what type of filter you choose, quality coffee
begins at the beans. Make sure you’re
buying from a trusted Pittsburgh coffee roaster known for their gourmet
flavored coffees and single origin beans alike by shopping for all your coffee
needs at Fortunes Gourmet Coffee. For artisanal quality with every cup, make sure to get the finest single origin coffee beans and gourmet blends
around from Fortunes Gourmet Coffee.

Home Brewing: Figuring Out Your Filter

Home Brewing: Figuring Out Your Filter – Fortunes Gourmet Coffee

Home Brewing: Figuring Out Your Filter

Recent Posts

Pages

Sign up to our newsletter

Pages

Share with us