For years, you may have come to believe that if you truly appreciate the taste of coffee, paper coffee filters are the only filters you should use.
Ask any coffee connoisseur and they'll probably tell you the same.
However, it has recently restarted the permanent coffee filter and paper debate. The new materials used in permanent filters have come a long way in recent years, and it is now a question whether they can outperform paper.
From coffee brewing taste tests, new permanent coffee filters are rumored to make coffee taste better compared to using regular paper filters.
The problem with paper is that they absorb most of the coffee oils that ultimately contribute to the flavor of your coffee.
By using the permanent metal filter, it is possible to see that the coffee is much more enjoyable and has a much richer taste and a fuller body.
If you haven't tried brewing with permanent coffee filters, we suggest you do.
– If you enjoy a bold cup of coffee full of aroma, you'd better use a reusable coffee filter.
Differences Between The Two Coffee Filter Types
If you're not sure what these two types of coffee filters are, we've provided a few details below.
Let's also briefly talk about another permanent option for filtering your coffee, the golden coffee filter.
Paper Coffee Filters
Paper coffee filters, or sometimes referred to as disposable filters, are made from kraft paper and are a great option for quickly brewing a carafe of coffee without the hassle of cleaning it up later.
When you are finished brewing, you remove the paper filter and throw it in the trash.
A bleached paper filter may be more useful, but not so good for the environment.
Yes, they are biodegradable and if you consider yourself an environmentalist, choosing to use paper coffee filters in your coffee maker probably won't help save the planet.
If you are concerned about the impact of waste and ultimately the environment, we can recommend permanent coffee filters as a better alternative.
There are typically two types of paper coffee filters, bleached ones and unbleached ones.
For many of you reading this, the taste difference between the two will be too great to be noticed. However, many coffee experts will quickly say that unbleached filters can spoil the taste of your coffee.
The minor difference isn't that obvious and it comes down to personal taste as to which coffee filters are best.
Permanent or Reusable Coffee Filters
One of my frustrations with paper filters is trying to find new ones at local stores. Getting the right size can be a nightmare and you may often find that the size you want isn't available or the regular brand filters you're using have run out.
You have no such problem with a permanent coffee filter because once you buy a permanent metal filter, you wash it and reuse it.
If you want to brew coffee in the cheapest way while preserving all the flavor of the coffee, a one-time investment in a permanent coffee filter is well worth it.
Once you have a reusable filter, you don't have to worry about buying coffee filters in the near future.
Typically, the cost of a pack of paper coffee filters is high.
That doesn't sound like much, but when you sit back and divide the costs over a year, the one-time cost of a permanent coffee filter seems like a much better option, especially if you drink a lot of coffee.
Permanent or reusable coffee filters come in a variety of styles and types. Cheaper filters are usually made of nylon material, and you can also purchase a cloth filter.
But gold-tone coffee filters (made of gold) are quickly becoming the go-to for coffee lovers who enjoy a full-flavored cup of coffee.
Let's take a closer look at these gold coffee filters below.
Advantages of Golden Coffee Filter?
Gold coffee filters are now a standard in most top filter coffee makers, and many coffee drinkers swear they give their coffee a better flavor compared to regular filters.
We tried brewed coffee using gold-tone coffee filters, and while it seems to allow more sediment to flow through the filter paper along with more flavorful oils, it's hardly noticeable when compared to the cheaper nylon variety.
Are White or Brown Coffee Filters Better?
Let's say you decide that paper coffee filters are your preferred filter. It can be confusing when choosing between white or brown coffee filters.
– Which ones are better?
– So which ones should you buy?
Most inexpensive disposable coffee filters are bleached using a chemical such as chlorine; If you value the taste of your coffee and even your health, you should stay away from bleached coffee filters.
However, if you can't live without a white paper filter, some coffee filter Try looking for new ones because they are bleached using a natural oxygen process instead of chemicals - a much better option than a regular bleached filter.
Brown paper coffee filters are a healthier option as they tend not to be processed using chemicals (just like brown bread and white bread), but always double-check the package to be 100% sure.
Which is the Healthier Option: Permanent Coffee Filters or Paper?
After some research, it seems that there are some health issues with paper and permanent coffee filters.
The main concern is cholesterol.
Brewing coffee with a paper filter traps oilier substances called diterpenes in the coffee, whereas permanent filters allow more of these diterpenes to pass into your cup.
When these coffee oil compounds are consumed, they essentially block cholesterol-regulating receptors in the intestines.
The intestines can no longer properly regulate the amount of cholesterol that is absorbed and excreted, which causes blood cholesterol levels to rise.
Because paper coffee filters keep most of these diterpenes from your coffee grounds, they can reduce the risk of coffee-related cholesterol increases in the body.
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