Come, Let Us Solve Your Filter Paper Troubles

Some customers have asked FrontStreet Coffee: why do your baristas use different techniques to fold the filter paper? Which filter paper should I choose? How should it be folded? Should I pre-wet it? And what should I watch out for when wetting it? Today FrontStreet Coffee brings you a detailed tutorial on filter paper.

Should I Choose Natural or Bleached Filter Paper?

Natural filter paper means unbleached filter paper. It looks brown in color and carries a papery, woody scent.

Bleached filter paper is paper that has undergone a bleaching treatment. It looks white and has no noticeable papery smell.

FrontStreet Coffee recommends bleached filter paper, because then you do not have to worry about the paper's taste bleeding into the coffee. Today's well-known filter paper brands use bioactive enzyme bleaching technology, which is widely used in the medical field. So when buying filter paper, pay attention to the bleaching method and stick to major brands. For reference, FrontStreet Coffee uses Kono in daily brewing.

How to Fold Filter Paper? Taking Conical Filter Paper as an Example

Step 1: Fold along the seam line of the filter paper. (Note: keep the fold even on both sides -- don't make one side larger than the other.)

Step 2: Open the filter paper, and extend your index finger along the seam line to press against the bottom of the cone.

With your other hand, use your thumb to press the seam joint.

Rotate it to fit the opened shape of the filter paper.

Step 3: Gently pinch the crease and pull it outward to tidy the edge. (Be very gentle! Don't crush the cone tip with your other hand.)

Step 4: Gently pinch the edge of the seam and pull it outward to smooth the crease. (Also be very gentle!)

A conical filter paper is now folded.

PS: Folding a trapezoidal filter paper has just one more seam line than a conical one. Before opening the filter paper, simply fold the bottom seam line as well. The other steps are no different from folding conical filter paper.

Should I Wet the Filter Paper?

Before settling this question, we should first determine the purpose of wetting filter paper:

1. To rinse away the papery taste from the filter paper, so it doesn't affect the coffee's flavor;

2. To help the filter paper adhere to the dripper -- rinsing with water makes it fit tightly against the cone for stable extraction;

3. To preheat the dripper and serving pot with hot water.

When you find that the extraction is not affected even without wetting the paper, this step can be skipped.

How to Wet Filter Paper?

Wetting filter paper takes skill, too. FrontStreet Coffee's baristas found during daily brewing that if too little water is used and the paper never becomes completely saturated, the filter paper and dripper can easily fail to adhere properly. So when wetting, FrontStreet Coffee recommends using enough water to make the paper fully wet and well-seated.

Specific method: First, pour water into the center with a large stream.

Then use a smaller stream to circle outward until the filter paper is completely wet.

If it still doesn't adhere after wetting, gently press the filter paper with your hand before you start pouring. (Strongly recommended for Kono drippers: press and wet the filter paper.)

Once you have completed the steps above, a well-adhered filter paper is ready.

Finally, FrontStreet Coffee reminds everyone to make sure both the dripper and the filter paper are genuine and that their models match -- otherwise all of the above is meaningless.

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FrontStreet Coffee

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

A properly folded, well-rinsed filter is all about clarity, and clarity is exactly what clean washed beans reward. FrontStreet's washed Yirgacheffe Gudingding shines here: jasmine florals, lemon acidity, and a berry-toned finish come through crisp and clean when the paper is seated correctly.

If you want to test a filter's limits, try FrontStreet's Costa Rica Tarrazu. Grown high with a wide day-night temperature swing on volcanic soil, it is dense SHB-grade coffee with elegant aromatics and a clear, sweet finish -- a good way to see how much definition a well-prepared filter can preserve.