Filtering coffee – differences of paper, metal, nylon and cloth

By David Anderson - Owner and Founder

December 10th, 2019

Filters are manufactured in plenty of shapes, sizes and materials. Does the filter really have an effect on your coffee? And what else should be taken into account when choosing the filter?

25th Anniversary

Characteristics of different filters

Supposedly most common coffee filtering method is paper. In my latest blog, I wrote about the difference between bleached and unbleached papers. Now I am going to take a closer look to the differences between paper, cloth, metal and nylon.
Let’s see what are the main characteristics of the most popular coffee filters. In this test I used V-shaped filters made of paper (bleached and unbleached), cloth (cotton and linen), metal and nylon.

Comparison

BLEACHED PAPER: BALANCED CUP

There is always the filter paper to be disposed in addition to the coffee grounds.
Ecology depends on the level of biodegradability as well as the possible bleaching method.
A separate filter funnel is needed in addition to filter itself.
Always dishes to do.
Most expensive filter as you need to keep on buying material.
When using paper filters the brew seemed to create small bubbles when dripping down to the decanter. This did no happen with the other filter types.

Cupping results:

TDS 1,39-1,41 %.
Mainly full and clean flavor, some white papers might bring a small off-taste, also the special features have a huge effect on the extraction process.
Nice and distinctive aroma.

UNBLEACHED PAPER: QUITE BALANCED CUP

There is always the filter paper to be disposed in addition to the coffee grounds
Ecology depends on the level of biodegradability.
A separate filter funnel is needed in addition to filter itself.
Always dishes to do.
Most expensive filter as you need to keep on buying material.
When using unbleached filter paper, the brew seemed to drip down a little slower. However this was expected as the brown papers tempt to have small particles in the pores of the paper. That slows down the dripping process and enhances the extraction.
How to measure extraction of coffee?

Cupping results:

TDS 1,39-1,41 %.
Mainly full flavor, a bit stuffy and musty and a slight off-taste.
Nice and distinctive aroma.

LINEN (CLOTH): UNPLEASANT CUP

No trash in addition to the coffee grounds.
A separate filter funnel is needed in addition to filter itself.
Always dishes to do.
The more you use it the cheaper it gets.

Cupping results:

TDS 1,38 %.
Very strong off-taste, sharp and dirty flavor.
Dull aroma

COTTON (CLOTH): UNPLEASANT CUP

No trash in addition to the coffee grounds.
A separate filter funnel is needed in addition to filter itself.
Always dishes to do.
The more you use it the cheaper it gets.

Cupping results:

TDS 1.40 % .
Strong off-taste, dirty and watery flavor.
Dull aroma.

METAL: QUITE UNPLEASANT CUP

No trash in addition to the coffee grounds.
No need for a separate filter funnel.
Always dishes to do.
The more you use it the cheaper it gets.

Cupping results:

TDS 1,3 7%.
Sharp flavor, some nice acidity.
Neutral aroma

NYLON: QUITE PLEASANT CUP

No trash in addition to the coffee grounds.
No need for a separate filter funnel.
Always dishes to do (filter).
The more you use it the cheaper it gets.

Cupping results:

TDS 1,42 %.
Clear, almost sharp flavor, pleasant acidity.
Nice aroma.

SO HOW TO CHOOSE THE FILTER FOR YOUR COFFEE?

Flavor first: bleached paper. Hands down!
Strength first: nylon and cotton, some bleached paper filters, too.
Ecology first: not a single use tool and less material needed -> cloth, metal and nylon (and as nylon is plastic, you might want to consider cloth first and then metal).
Easiness first: less tools needed, less washing, less shopping -> metal and nylon.
Cost level first: the more you brew, the more you save -> cloth, metal and nylon.

David Anderson - Owner and Founder

David Anderson has been a professional gourmand, including three years as an importer of boutique European wines and nine years as a coffee roaster. His work in the wine industry took him all over France, Italy, and Spain where he learned that "if you run fast enough, you don't actually run with the bulls."

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