subject: Paper Coffee Filters [print this page] Paper Coffee Filters Paper Coffee Filters
The first paper coffee filter was invented in Dresden, Germany, by Melitta Bentz. She began searching for a way to brew coffee without the bitterness caused by over-brewing. After some experimenting, she discovered that a piece of blotter paper cut into a circle worked extremely well for filtering coffee. Later, in 1908, her filter was patented and named the Melitta filter; production of coffee filters began under the name Melitta Bentz Company. Just a year later, they were able to sell more than 1,200 filters at a single fair in Germany. Since then, filters have become an essential part of the brewing process for home coffee brewing and commercial coffee brewing.
The primary purpose of coffee filters is help keep grounds out of your cup of coffee. While ways of filtering coffee have been around for centuries, modern paper coffee filters are relatively new. There simple design allows the water to take in the properties of the coffee beans without over-brewing or allowing coffee grounds to pass through.
One company began offering unbleached coffee filters in 1990 another first ever in the USA. For modern coffee drinkers, this was one of the simple solutions to help the environment; another was the use of permanent gold filters. Today, 4 types of filter papers are made from selected clean 100% unbleached pulp and come in 2 varieties - cone and basket filters and in No. 2, No. 4, No. 6, and No. 12 sizes. Sizes of a coffee filter are based on the amount of coffee that can be produced from the grounds that fit in the filter. In coffee makers, a certain size of filter is required, based on the maximum number of cups that can be produced.
The usual and more common bleached filters use chlorine during their manufacturing process in order to make them snowy white. Not only is this manufacturing process harmful to the environment, but the chlorine releases dioxin, which over time is harmful to human health.
If the coffee filter does not fit properly into the filter basket, it can cause problems. When using a paper filter make sure it is the right size and does not fold over in the basket as this will let the coffee grounds escape and drip into the carafe along with the water. If you are concerned about the paper filter folding over, put a few drops of water around the edge of the coffee filter; this helps it stick to the sides of the coffee maker and prevents folding. Also remember that the finer the grind, the more flavor you can extract, however a finer grind may also slow the seeping through some filters causing the coffee to become too bitter, this result is called over-brewing. It is important to find a good balance.
The filter shape itself is often a deciding factor for some consumers, when making a coffee maker purchase. With a basket-style filter, even if you mound the coffee grounds in the middle, they tend to redistribute during the brewing process and the drip saturates only a portion of the coffee grounds. Even with an enhanced shower head drip design, concentration remains somewhat limited. But with a cone filter, the drip saturates the majority of the grounds, resulting in a bolder, richer flavor of coffee. And, when you grab the cheapest filters you may find, many believe, that the filter can possibly alter your coffee experience.
Reusable coffee filters are typically made of plastic and metal, though models made of hemp or gold are also available. The fine metal mesh cup holds the coffee filters and allows the water to drip through. Reusable coffee filters can be reused many times until the filter breaks.
The quality of coffee from these and the health issues associated with them is debated by some. However, I prefer to stay with unbleached paper filters. My coffee tastes great and the filter paper and grounds are biodegradable.
