Which Brand of Coffee Filter Paper is Best? How to Use Pour-Over Filter Paper? Do Pour-Over Coffee Filters Need to Be Wet? Does Filter Paper Have a Paper Taste?

Filter paper is an essential filtering tool for making pour-over coffee. While it might seem insignificant, its impact on coffee is substantial. If you talk with coffee enthusiasts, you've likely heard many questions related to filter paper, such as whether filter paper needs to be pre-wetted, whether filter paper has a paper taste, what temperature of water to use for wetting filter paper, and so on. So today, FrontStreet Coffee is here to answer a series of "difficult questions" about coffee filter paper.

Should Filter Paper Be Wetted?

Many beginners often struggle with this question: "Is it necessary to wet the filter paper before brewing coffee?" The dilemma often arises from being told that wetting filter paper before brewing coffee is essential. However, in daily life, we frequently see situations where filter paper is not wetted. This leaves many people wondering whether it's really necessary to wet filter paper before brewing coffee.

FrontStreet Coffee believes that besides personal preference, whether to wet filter paper also depends on specific circumstances. We can evaluate this from three perspectives: the fit between filter paper and dripper, the taste of the filter paper, and the storage environment of the filter paper.

Fitting the Dripper

Many drippers, like the V60, have numerous flow ribs. These ribs not only support the filter paper to create space for coffee grounds to release gases but also help guide water flow. To make these ribs function effectively, we need the filter paper to fit snugly against the dripper.

There are many ways to make filter paper fit the dripper, such as pre-wetting it with water or using coffee grounds to press the filter paper. For beginners who are not familiar with the latter technique, FrontStreet Coffee still recommends wetting the filter paper with water to ensure it fits the dripper properly.

Filter Paper Storage Environment

Secondly, the storage environment of filter paper is another factor to consider when deciding whether to pre-wet it. If filter paper is stored in an open environment, it can easily accumulate dust in daily life. In this case, we need to pre-wet to wash away the "stains" attached to the filter paper. However, if the filter paper is stored in a relatively sealed environment where dust attachment is unlikely, we can decide whether to wet it based on our preferences or other factors.

Filter Paper Taste

Finally, there's the taste of the filter paper! In the past, the main purpose of wetting filter paper was not only to make it fit the dripper but also to wash away the paper taste. Many filter papers retain a significant pulp taste due to their manufacturing process. If not removed, this taste will mix with the coffee during brewing, giving the final coffee a subtle paper flavor.

However, with advancements in technology, many filter papers no longer have an obvious pulp taste, so some filter papers don't require this deodorizing step. Therefore, whether to pre-wet filter paper also depends on whether the filter paper itself has a distinct taste. So how can we know if filter paper has a noticeable paper taste? It's simple, yet abstract! We just need to use a small amount of hot water to rinse the filter paper, then taste the water that passed through the filter paper to see if there's an obvious paper taste... (FrontStreet Coffee is just providing a problem-solving approach here; you don't necessarily have to try it...)

Cold or Hot Water for Wetting Filter Paper?

Next is the question of water temperature when wetting filter paper! Once we decide to wet the filter paper, the next consideration is the water temperature, which is also very particular!

When our purpose for wetting filter paper is to remove paper taste, the water temperature should be slightly warmer. Just as hot water accelerates the dissolution of coffee flavor compounds, it can also better dissolve the paper taste. Additionally, the water temperature for wetting filter paper also depends on whether we need to preheat equipment, such as the dripper and server. If the dripper is made of a material with high specific heat capacity like ceramic, it's best to use hot water to wet the filter paper. Because these types of drippers will absorb heat from the brewing water to warm themselves when not preheated, thereby affecting extraction. The same principle applies to whether the server needs preheating, except it affects the coffee liquid rather than the hot water.

How to Choose Filter Paper?

Choosing filter paper is also a major challenge that troubles beginners! This difficulty in selection doesn't come from the shape of the filter paper but from its flow rate and filtering effect. FrontStreet Coffee often says that the difference between filter papers is as great as the difference between humans and chimpanzees. In the article "The Differences Between Filter Papers," FrontStreet Coffee shared that different filter papers have different flow rates and filtering effects.

For example, Japan's Sanyo Industry changes the flow rate of filter paper by adjusting their structure and thickness, developing T-83, T-90, and T-92 filter papers suitable for different roast levels of coffee beans. Different filter paper materials have different characteristics. Wood pulp filter paper的特点 is strong filtering performance, which can intercept all substances other than coffee liquid, ensuring we get a cup of coffee with clean taste. Non-woven fabric filter paper, on the other hand, has the opposite characteristic - its filtering performance is relatively weaker and doesn't prevent coffee oils from permeating through. For this reason, coffee brewed with non-woven filter paper will have a richer, more aromatic expression. This is also what FrontStreet Coffee shared in the article "Change Your Filter Paper for More Aromatic and Richer Coffee."

There are many other examples, but FrontStreet Coffee won't list them all here. Many friends are troubled by this information, making it difficult to choose filter paper. But actually, there's no need to be too conflicted. FrontStreet Coffee would recommend starting with conventional wood pulp filter paper to practice. Once you've mastered the fundamental logic of coffee brewing, you can begin purchasing other filter papers with different effects to try different brewing methods. Some friends worry about buying filter paper with strong paper taste or lower quality. In such cases, FrontStreet Coffee would recommend choosing filter paper from well-known, major brand manufacturers when purchasing. Regardless of the paper taste, the quality is at least reasonably guaranteed.

- END -

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473