Coffee filter

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A basket-type coffee filter, here made of bleached paper
Used coffee filter

A coffee filter is a coffee-brewing filter, usually made of disposable paper. This enables it to trap the coffee grounds and allow the liquid coffee to flow through.

Paper filters remove oily components called diterpenes; these organic compounds, present in unfiltered coffee, have antiinflammatory properties.[1] Metal or nylon mesh filters do not remove these components.[2]

History[]

On July 8, 1908, the first paper coffee filter was invented by German entrepreneur Melitta Bentz. She wanted to remove the bitter taste caused by boiling loose grounds or using the typical method of linen to brew coffee.[3] She patented her invention and formed a company, Melitta, to sell the coffee filters, hiring her husband and two sons to assist her as the first employees.

The Flemish coffee Rombouts company was founded in Antwerp in 1896. In 1958 the company launched its first One Cup Coffee Filter for the Brussels World Exhibition, allowing drinkers to make a cup of coffee using the perfect amount of coffee that had been roasted and ground using traditional methods. In 1964 the company began marketing the concept and enjoyed much success in the horeca and retail sectors. In 1966 Rombouts was appointed a "Certified Royal Warrant Holder of Belgium".[4][5]

Paper filter[]

Cone-type coffee filter, made of unbleached paper
Main article: Filter paper

Coffee filters of paper are made from about 100 g/m2 filter paper. The crimping of the sides allows the coffee to flow freely between the filter and the filtration funnel. The raw materials (pulp) for the filter paper are coarse long fiber, often from fast-growing trees. Both bleached and unbleached qualities are made.[6]

Typically coffee filters are made up of filaments approximately 20 micrometres wide, which allow particles through that are less than approximately 10 to 15 micrometres.[7][8]

For a filter to be compatible with a coffee maker, the filter needs to be a specific shape and size. Common in the US are cone-shaped filters #2, #4, and #6, as well as basket-shaped filters in an 8–12 cup home size and larger restaurant sizes.

Other important parameters are strength, compatibility, efficiency and capacity.

If a coffee filter doesn't possess enough strength, it will tear or rupture, allowing coffee grains to collect in the coffee pot. Compatibility describes a filter medium's resistance to degradation by heat and chemical attack; a filter that is not compatible with the liquid passing through it is likely to break down, losing strength (structural failure). Efficiency is the retention of particles in a target (size) category. The efficiency is dictated by the particles or substances to be removed. A large-mesh filter may be efficient at retaining large particles but inefficient at retaining small particles. Capacity is the ability to "hold" previously removed particles while allowing further flow. A very efficient filter may show poor capacity, causing increased resistance to flow or other problems as it plugging up prematurely and increasing resistance or flow problems. A balance between particle capture and flow requirements must be met while ensuring integrity.

Other types[]

Metal filters are used to prepare Vietnamese iced coffee, Indian filter coffee, and other types of drip coffee.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Cárdenas, C., Quesada, A. R., & Medina, M. A. (2011). "Anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory properties of kahweol, a coffee diterpene". PLOS ONE. 6 (8): e23407. Bibcode:2011PLoSO...623407C. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0023407. PMC 3153489. PMID 21858104.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ Cornelis MC, El-Sohemy A (November 2007). "Coffee, caffeine, and coronary heart disease". Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 10 (6): 745–51. doi:10.1097/MCO.0b013e3282f05d81. PMID 18089957. S2CID 35221890.
  3. ^ "This is the History of How We Brew Coffee". ThoughtCo.
  4. ^ "Rombouts Coffee - Blog - History". www.rombouts.com.
  5. ^ "All About Royal Families".
  6. ^ Paulapuro, Hannu (2000). "5". Paper and Board grades. Papermaking Science and Technology. 18. Finland: Fapet Oy. p. 114. ISBN 978-952-5216-18-9.
  7. ^ "Coffee Filter and Diatomaceous Earth". Princeton (via Wayback Machine). Archived from the original on 2012-01-07.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  8. ^ "Seal face lubrication". McNally Institute. Archived from the original on 2011-01-10.
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