Nav: Home > Coffee >

Why Do You Need to Wet the Filter Paper for Pour-Over Coffee? Does Pour-Over Coffee Taste Worse If You Don't Wet the Filter Paper?

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Friends who are accustomed to making pour-over coffee without wetting the filter paper have likely heard these skeptical voices. When faced with these voices, how do you respond? A) Awkward but polite smile B) Cool, distant gaze C) Patient, heartfelt explanation D) You're right To wet or not to wet? Back in the internet surfing years, I had the opportunity to witness two groups of netizens debating this issue

Those who are accustomed to not wetting filter paper when brewing coffee have likely encountered these questioning voices. How do you respond when faced with such skepticism?

A. An awkward but polite smile

B. A cold, dismissive glance

C. A patient, earnest explanation

D. You're right

To Wet or Not to Wet?

Years ago, during the internet surfing era, I had the privilege of witnessing two groups of netizens engage in an "academic debate" on this very topic.

Let me summarize the key points of this debate:

Proponents: The Wet Filter Paper Faction (Mainstream) Opponents: The Dry Filter Paper Faction

First Argument | Filter Paper Has Flavor, Wetting Is Necessary

Proponents: Filter paper has a papery taste that needs to be rinsed away.

Opponents: Times have changed. Modern bleached filter papers are tasteless and harmless.

Second Argument | Wetting Preheats the Dripper and Server

Proponents: Wetting filter paper simultaneously preheats the dripper and server.

Opponents: This can also be achieved without wetting the paper, but wetting causes pre-extraction when coffee grounds are added afterward.

Third Argument | Dry Paper Absorbs Initial Coffee Extract

Proponents: Without wetting, the initial coffee extract is absorbed by the filter paper - the coffee-stained color of the paper is clear evidence.

Opponents: Not wetting allows for better bloom and degassing.

Fourth Argument | Wetting Ensures Proper Adhesion

Proponents: The most important reason for wetting is to ensure the filter paper adheres properly to the dripper.

Opponents: Relying on the weight of coffee grounds, the paper can adhere well even when dry.

...

Wetting vs. Not Wetting - No Longer a Question!

Whether you belong to the wet paper faction or the dry paper faction, both present opposing yet reasonable arguments. So should we wet filter paper or not? As the saying goes: "Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth."

For this reason, FrontStreet Coffee conducted a comparative experiment between brewing with wetted versus unwetted filter paper. The details are as follows:

From this, we can see that the biggest controversy about wetting or not wetting - ensuring proper adhesion to the dripper - shouldn't be an issue at all. Whether filter paper adheres completely to the dripper depends on the compatibility between the paper and dripper. Poorly matched filter paper won't adhere completely regardless of how much you wet it. Additionally, it's related to personal habits - some people find their filter paper adheres better when dry than when wetted.

The second major controversy is about paper taste. Most major brand filter papers today use bioactive enzymes for bleaching, effectively removing the taste of raw wood. These technologies are widely used in the medical field with near-zero harm. Quality filter papers from major brands cost only about 30 cents each (essentially free), making their quality trustworthy. Of course, if you purchase unbleached filter papers or ones with quality issues (strange odors), then it's recommended to rinse them or discontinue use.

Finally, regarding taste differences, practical experiments have concluded that there's no significant difference - they're virtually identical. In other words, when you properly control the five key parameters of coffee brewing, whether you wet the filter paper or not is irrelevant to flavor. As for preheating the dripper, if you're using a resin dripper, it's not a major issue since resin doesn't absorb or retain heat, making preheating inconsequential. For glass or ceramic drippers, you might as well wet the filter paper during the preheating process!

Finally, times are evolving, coffee equipment is advancing, and brewing techniques are improving. Today, there's no longer room for debate about whether filter paper should be wetted. Follow your own habits - if you prefer wetting your filter paper, that's fine; if you're accustomed to not wetting it, that's perfectly acceptable too!