How to Make Good Coffee: Using Paper Filters

At the heart of it, brewing coffee at home is a straightforward affair, requiring only a few simple components: coffee, hot water, a place for them to meet and a way to separate them. However, the secret to great coffee is knowing that each of these aspects can be exceptional.  

The History of The Paper Filter 

The paper filter was first invented by a German housewife at the turn of the 20th century, a time when coffee was commonly prepared using undeveloped versions of the percolator, resulting in a cup that was either too bitter from being over-extracted or too grainy from the unstrained coffee grounds. 

Looking to create a more enjoyable coffee experience, Bentz began to experiment with what she could find in her home. This personal mission led to the grand invention of both the world’s first pour over coffee and the beautifully simple yet effective paper filter.  

Over a century later, the pour over method is a popular choice amongst seasoned baristas and casual coffee drinkers alike, and paper filters are equally prevalent, used in coffee shops and homes around the world. While the original design has been tweaked, enhanced and improved over the many years since its inception, the basic fundamental remains: the paper filter creates a more enjoyable coffee experience. 

How Paper Filters Work 

Paper filters make use of the pour over method. As the name would suggest, this is a type of infusion brewing that involves simply pouring hot water through coffee grounds placed in a filter.  

As a tightly woven material that is naturally soft and absorbent, paper makes an ideal choice for the filter part of this equation. It is conducive to letting the coffee pass through, while very efficiently preventing the coffee grounds from making their way into the cup.

Flavour Profile 

Coffee free of sediment undeniably allows for a more pleasant drinking experience, as you do not have to concern yourself over mistakenly sipping coffee grounds. What many may not realize though is that these micro-grounds alter the flavour profile rather drastically. Their presence thickens the texture of the liquid and distorts the finer details of the flavour, so in their absence, coffee will be lighter while offering a much higher flavour clarity, allowing you to not only enjoy the subtle nuances of the coffee bean, such as the sweetness or acidity, but to differentiate the taste of a maple sweetness or an apricot acidity.  

The absorbency of paper filters will also prevent the natural oils produced from the coffee beans from reaching your final cup. Whether you enjoy these oils is a matter of personal preference. Similar to coffee fines (extra fine coffee grounds), they greatly contribute to the body of the coffee and work to enhance the aroma and deepen the flavour, though you may find that you prefer the bright, crisp and clean cup of coffee you can achieve by using paper filters.

Other Considerations 

Paper filters are very simple to use. They are disposable, so offer the convenience of a minimal clean-up and remove the need to maintain a filter over time. If you are concerned about excessive waste, depending on the brand, you can add both the filter and the used coffee grounds to your compost for an eco-friendly choice. 

Should You Use Paper Filters? 

They are recommended for anyone who appreciates a short but focused coffee brewing experience and a light, crisp cup of coffee. They are considered to be an entry level tool, due to their ease of use, though are not to be underestimated. As the brewing method requires focus and care they can offer an interesting challenge for any coffee connoisseur to master. 

How to Use Paper Filters: 

Step 1: Bring at least 400ml of water to a boil (~95°C). 

Step 2: Grind your coffee beans to a medium grind, similar to the size of coarse sand.

Step 3: Gently place a single paper filter into your coffee dripper.

Step 4: Warm the unbleached filter with simmering water and pour out the excess water. 

Step 5: Add the ground coffee (we recommend 12g per cup) and gently tap the filter to level the coffee.

Step 6: Begin pouring water slowly over the coffee, starting at the centre and moving in a steady spiral towards the outer edge of the grounds. 

Step 7: Allow the coffee to bloom for thirty seconds. Once all the coffee is properly saturated and the water has dripped through, repeat this step an additional two times, or until you have 180ml of coffee. 

Step 8: Remove the filter and coffee dripper from your cup or carafe. 

Step 9: Enjoy a great cup of coffee.