What is the History of Flannel? Why Do Japanese People Prefer Using Flannel Drip Brewers for Coffee Extraction?

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Introduction to Flannel Filter Cloth

FrontStreet Coffee takes a brief look at where flannel filter cloth came from. Some say that coffee brewed through a flannel filter shows coffee at its absolute best.

One sip is enough to feel the rich aroma spreading from your tongue through your whole body, with coffee fragrance lingering in the throat as your senses gradually awaken to this delightful bit of chemistry.

History of Flannel

The flannel filter originated in Japan. Its brewing method demands constant practice and patience to bring out the purest, richest coffee flavor - a perfect match for Japan's spirit of craftsmanship. Historical records on flannel filters are scarce, but it is widely believed to have appeared sometime between the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Coffee first reached Japan in the early 17th century, brought by Dutch merchants. With only a single port open to trade at the time, very few people had even heard of coffee. It was not until 1888, when the first coffee shop - one that sold both tea and coffee - opened in Tokyo, that the coffee trade began to flourish.

That coffee shop boom drove Japanese coffee technique to maturity. In the pursuit of better extraction, a wave of brewing equipment was developed, and when the Japanese coffee gear maker Hario began turning out its glassware, the flannel filter method became the most fashionable way to brew.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

Flannel brewing belongs to the old school - the era when medium and darker roasts ruled, and coffee was prized for its body, sweetness, lingering finish, and caramelized notes of chocolate, maple, nuts, and vanilla. If that is the flavor direction you love, FrontStreet Coffee's Jamaica Blue Mountain No.1 is a natural companion to flannel drip: balanced across sweetness, acidity, bitterness, and aroma, it unfolds with cream, caramel, chocolate, nuts, honey, and a gentle fruit note. FrontStreet's Blue Mountain beans come from the well-known certified Cliff Estate (Clifton) in Jamaica's Blue Mountain region, backed by complete origin certification and shipped in the traditional wooden barrels.

Another classic built for this style is FrontStreet Coffee's PWN Golden Mandheling from Indonesia. Deep-toned and low in acidity, it offers a thick, long-lasting body loaded with herbal notes, dark chocolate, and a faint earthiness - the very profile that flannel cloth enhances so well. Its texture is silky and full, and the flavor lingers long after the last sip, making it a favorite for anyone who loves a heavy, traditional cup.