The Facts About Filters: Insights from SAIGONDAN Coffee Supply

We decided to do a little coffee filter tête-à-tête with our Coffee Education team to find if a filter affects the final outcome in a cup of coffee. Spoiler alert: It does.

At SAIGONDAN Coffee Supply, we are huge fans of filtered pour-over coffee and love to experiment with different brewing methods. Recently, our team conducted an experiment to see how much the filter alone affects the taste of the brew. Spoiler alert: it does.

The Experiment

Our main objective was to determine how much the filter itself impacts the final taste of the coffee. To isolate the filter's effect, we conducted two primary experiments:

1. Filter Rinse Test: We poured water through various filters to taste the paper itself and then rinsed the filters again to see what was being imparted into the coffee.

   Barista Tip: Always rinse your filter before brewing. This step removes the paper taste and dust and warms up your brewer.

2. Brewing Test: We brewed coffee using each type of filter to taste the differences.

Paper vs. Paper vs. Sock

Chemex Filter

• Taste: Cleanest and most neutral.
• Coffee Profile: Thinner texture, enhanced floral notes, slight dryness in the mouthfeel.

Melitta Oxygen Bleached

• Taste: Little residual paper taste when rinsed.
• Coffee Profile: Heavier with a fuller texture, no notable paper flavor.

Melitta Unbleached Natural

• Taste: Notable woody sweetness after rinsing, imparted a papery flavor to the coffee.
• Coffee Profile: Very noticeable dryness.

Hario V60

• Taste: Initially grassy, but rinsed clean on the second pass.
• Coffee Profile: Bright and crisp with high citrus notes.

Sock Cloth Filter

• Taste: Strong, unpleasant flavor reminiscent of a wet wool coat or a thrift store.
• Coffee Profile: Noticeable finish that was not desirable.

Our Recommendation

Choose an oxygen-bleached filter like the Melitta white, Chemex, or Hario V60. If you prefer natural filters, rinse them thoroughly. Avoid using cloth filters, as they tend to impart undesirable flavors.

Other Findings

We were surprised by the significant impact of the Hario V60 filter. Made from high-quality paper in Japan, it is lighter with more texture, resulting in a floral and bright coffee with a lighter body and more pronounced citrus notes compared to the Melitta filters.

Paper vs. Stainless Steel

Able Kone

• Description: A stainless steel cone with small holes, designed to fit inside a Chemex or other compatible brewers.
• Coffee Profile: Produces a thicker, chewier cup with more fines (tiny coffee particles), oils, and sediment, similar to a French Press.

Able Disk

• Description: Stainless steel reusable disks for the AeroPress, available in Standard and Fine options.
• Standard Disk: Brews a fuller-bodied cup with more fines, durable for long-term use.
• Fine Disk: Brews a sweet, clean cup with very little fines, but is more delicate and requires careful handling.

Conclusion

The choice of filter significantly impacts the taste and texture of your coffee. Paper filters tend to produce a cleaner cup by collecting fines and oils, while stainless steel filters result in a fuller-bodied brew with more texture. Whether you prefer the clarity of paper or the robustness of metal, understanding these differences can help you refine your brewing process.

SAIGONDAN Coffee Supply's Expertise

At SAIGONDAN Coffee Supply, we are committed to providing you with the best brewing experience. By experimenting with different filters and understanding their effects, you can elevate your coffee brewing to new heights. Explore our collection of premium coffee and brewing accessories to enhance your daily coffee ritual.

Happy brewing!