Coffee Filter

A coffee filter is a coffee-brewing utensil, usually made of disposable paper, but of late is also made of stainless steel. The stainless steel version is used to prepare filter coffee, the form of coffee common in India.

In 1908, the first paper coffee filter was made by Melitta Bentz in Dresden, Germany. She made the coffee filter to remove the bitter taste caused by boiling loose grounds or using the typical method of linen to brew coffee. She thought that if she could pour boiling water over the grounds, but filter them out, the bitterness would be reduced. She used her son’s blotting paper. Bentz and her husband started the Melitta Bentz Company to manufacture filters.

Coffee filters aren’t as likely to crumple or dissolve in water as typical paper because they have better wet strength, thanks to longer fibers. Additionally, the fluted sides and cupcake shape allow substances to flow through the filter freely and prevent grains from flowing over the sides

There are many types of coffee filters available. Some of them are:

Paper filters: Paper filters are the easiest to use and you don’t make a mess cleaning them. They do a fine job of keeping grounds out of your coffee. They ease the taste a bit, as the very small pores in the paper will also keep some of the coffee oil out of the coffee. Paper filters are suggested when using lower grades of coffee, to lighten the flavor of the coffee, and to keep grounds out. Some of the paper filters which are available in the market are prepared without chemicals and 100% environment friendly.

Gold Tone filters: These are prepared of stainless steel, and prepared so as not to transfer the metallic (stainless steel) taste. You get the most flavour from the coffee, when using these filters, and usually a few of the finer grounds as well. Tender care will help these filters last for years; dispose of spent grounds in garbage, wash with clean water in your dishwasher. For the suitable fit, match the Gold Tone filter to the shape of your filter cone.

Swiss Gold filters: These coffee filters are plated with 23-karat gold. The advantages offered by this type of coffee filter is similar to those offered by the Gold Tone filters. The difference is that they have an extra-fine mesh to keep more grounds out of your cup of coffee. These filter, though costly, but last a long time.

Cloth coffee filters: These are prepared from natural, unbleached cotton muslin. They are environment friendly and economical to use. The pores on the cloth filters are larger than those on paper filters, and smaller than on Gold Tone filters, so you'll get the most flavour with none or just a few grounds in your coffee. After use, dispose of the grounds, and clean with water only; you may wish to wash the filter under water to remove the fine sediments. Some discoloration is to be expected, but with proper care your filter will last up to 3 to 4 months.

The coffee filters available in the market have a coffee cup capacity of 3 cups to 12 cups or even more. Some other uses of coffee filters can be:

1. Diffuse the flash on a camera. When you’re taking a close-up, soften the brightness by placing a coffee filter over the flash.

2. Strain wine from a bottle with a broken cork. Place the filter over a pitcher or a carafe and slowly pour the wine into it. 3. Serve popcorn or other snacks. The coffee filters act as disposable bowls, so there’s no dishwashing to worry about.