Coffee filters: they are small, unassuming, and play a crucial role in brewing great-tasting coffee. If you’re like most coffee enthusiasts, you’ve probably wondered whether to use bleached or unbleached filters. Are you tired of that papery taste in your coffee? And is there anything else you should know? Read on to discover the answers.
The Origin of Paper Filters
While the cloth filter, known as the “sock,” has been around for a while, the paper filter didn’t make an appearance until the early 1900s. Melitta Bentz, a coffee lover from Dresden, Germany, was tired of finding coffee grounds in her cup. After experimenting with different materials, she found that a piece of her son’s blotting paper worked best. In July 1908, she patented the paper coffee filter and founded the Melitta Bentz Company, making history in the process. Today, coffee enthusiasts use a variety of pour-over methods that rely on filters, with most people opting for bleached or unbleached paper filters.
Bleached Coffee Filters: The Basics
The main difference between bleached and unbleached coffee filters is that bleached filters have been whitened. This can be achieved through a small amount of chlorine or a process called oxygen-bleaching. Although there were concerns in the past about the safety of chlorine-bleached filters, it is now widely accepted that they are safe to use for brewing coffee, and they won’t affect the flavor of your drink. However, the environmental impact of chlorine-bleaching is still a concern. Oxygen-bleaching, on the other hand, is more eco-friendly and requires less manufacturing. Major filter brands clearly indicate which bleaching method they use on their packaging.
Unbleached Coffee Filters: The Basics
Unbleached filters do not have the bright white color of their bleached counterparts but are considered slightly better for the environment as they require less processing. Most of the paper we use every day is bleached, even though paper is naturally brown as it comes from trees. When using unbleached filters in a pour-over or coffee machine without rinsing, there is a chance that you might taste papery notes in your coffee. However, it’s important to note that even with bleached filters, the quality can affect the taste. It is always a good idea to rinse paper filters before use to remove any potential papery taste.
How to Remove That Papery Taste
Rinsing paper filters is an effective way to avoid the unpleasant papery taste in your coffee while preheating your brewing device. Here’s how you should do it:
- Place your filter in the brewing device.
- Pre-wet the filter by pouring hot water over it, ensuring there are no gaps.
- Discard the water.
- If necessary, rinse the filter a second time.
- Proceed to brew your coffee.
Most filter papers are good to use after one rinse, but some may require a second rinse, especially if you have a sensitive palate. If you’re still experiencing a papery taste after a second rinse, it might be worth considering a different filter brand.
Filter Quality & Thickness
Aside from the bleached vs unbleached debate, it’s important to consider filter quality and thickness. The quality of your filter plays a significant role in achieving a clean coffee profile and good brew flow. It is also essential to choose the right size filter for your brewing method and pay attention to its thickness. Filters that are too thin will allow water to flow through too quickly, while thicker filters may retain more oils, affecting the taste of your brew. Keep in mind that thicker filters may come at a slightly higher price, but the difference is minimal.
So… Which Is Better?
When it comes to the bleached vs unbleached paper coffee filter debate, the choice ultimately depends on your preferences: taste or environmental impact. If you prioritize being eco-friendly, opt for high-quality unbleached filters and ensure thorough rinsing before use. On the other hand, if you’re concerned about a potential papery taste in your coffee, even after double rinsing, select bleached filters, preferably those that are oxygen-bleached. Remember, quality matters! A cheap bleached filter may impart a stronger papery taste to your coffee compared to a high-quality unbleached filter.
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Images courtesy of The Cappuccino Traveler, Josh Burke, Michael Flores, and Karl Fredrickson.