The Paper Problem
I'm an old-fashoned type of girl: I read a lot of books, prefer letters to email, and I will not vote electronically. I like paper. I like its tangible, touchable nature and the history that paper provides. However, there is one place that I cannot stand to find paper; in my coffee.
To be clear, I have had very good cups of drip coffee and excellent cups brewed on a Chemex. I just know I can be distracted from the best beans by the lingering aftertaste of paper. So, when I'm at home I either grab my trusted french press or make a pour-over cup using a gold cone. This way I can make one cup at a time, perfect for a sleepy Sunday. I keep the extraction time slow by pouring the water in very gradually. Coffee has many water soluble compounds and I want the water to have enough time to pull out the good ones. Rushing a cup of coffee rarely leads to a great cup.
A gold cone filter is more like a very fine sieve than a true filter, it filters out the actual coffee grounds but not any of the oil. The oils and sweet aromatics win me over to metal filters. I grind my coffee for pour-over with a gold cone a little bit coarser than for a paper filter. Very small particles will still make it through the fine mesh of the filter and settle on the bottom of the cup. This last sip of sludge is why some people prefer a cloth or paper filter for their home brewing, I use immense self control and leave that last sip in the cup. What a delicious cup! I say, save the paper for more important things...
A gold cone filter is more like a very fine sieve than a true filter, it filters out the actual coffee grounds but not any of the oil. The oils and sweet aromatics win me over to metal filters. I grind my coffee for pour-over with a gold cone a little bit coarser than for a paper filter. Very small particles will still make it through the fine mesh of the filter and settle on the bottom of the cup. This last sip of sludge is why some people prefer a cloth or paper filter for their home brewing, I use immense self control and leave that last sip in the cup. What a delicious cup! I say, save the paper for more important things...
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Darling Sep 9, 2009 – 12:28 AM
Yes... I will bring home more coffee. It will be Colombian though.
Phoebe Sep 10, 2009 – 11:23 AM
Hi Devorah!
I also have confronted the issue on paper filters (my coffee shop kinda depends on them)
Not all paper filters are the same, I spent a lot of time searching for a filter with no after taste, unbleached and as natural as I could find. Melittas "natural brown" filters were the worst, It was like I was using a brown paper towel.
I finally found If You Care 100% unbleached filters. No paper taste, wetting the filter first also helps with extra water absorption.
My thoughts on gold filters, the gold coating can break down over time. meaning it's going into your cup! I personally am not into the metallic tastes I pick up either.
Of course I love french press, but making one cup is such a pleasure!
OOh! You should compare the Kenya Gatomboya french press and cone next to each other! Sumatra Iskandar too! I prefer them in a cone, the press takes these already bold coffees a little far.
--of course, we all know the weakest link is big brewed coffee--
Jeremy W. Sep 10, 2009 – 6:48 PM
Renew, recycle, re-use old socks. Clean, no polyester, natch.
devorah_freudiger Sep 11, 2009 – 11:53 AM
Not so convinced about the "old sock" notion. I've heard of people loving sock filters, a cheaper alternative to buying a cloth filter. But Keep 'Um Clean!
devorah_freudiger Sep 11, 2009 – 11:57 AM
Thanks for the tip Phoebe! When I use paper filters I've always favored the bleached one because of the strong taste of the natural ones. I'll definitely give the brand you recommend a try! And yeah, I always always pre-wet my filters.
Phoebe Sep 11, 2009 – 3:53 PM
P.S.
There are also cone filters made from hemp that are reusable, unbleached, and leave no extra taste. (wash before using)
Matt Sep 11, 2009 – 4:02 PM
This Is Just To Say
I have drank
the last of the coffee
that was in
the cupboard
and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast.
Forgive me
it was delicious
so sweet
and so warm.
Maiyim Sep 24, 2009 – 3:16 AM
I learn so much from reading your guys comments!