The Overlooked Variable: Paper Filters

Paper filters might not look like much, but they can change your coffee more than you think.

Different thicknesses and pore structures control how fast or slow water moves through the coffee. Faster flow can give a cleaner, brighter cup. Slower flow can bring out more body and sweetness.

Brewing a complex processed coffee? A slower flow can extract more sweetness. Working with a delicate, floral coffee? A faster flow can keep it bright and crisp.

Cafec T-90 and T-92

Two filters, two very different results. The T-92 has a much slower flow rate, allowing more contact time for deeper sweetness and a rounder body. These can be particularly interesting for coffees with complex processing methods such as Anaerobic Natural, as well as Decaffeinated coffees.

The T-90 speeds up the flow and emphasizes clarity and brightness. Coffees which are more dense due to their processing, those grown at very high altitudes, or extra-light roasts benefit from this filter.

Both are designed for cone-shaped drippers such as the V60, Hario Switch, and Origami.

Cafec Abaca+

Made from a blend of Abaca (a plant fiber) and wood pulp, these filters balance strength and flow. They sit between the T-90 and T-92 in drawdown speed, offering versatility for a wide range of coffees.

Hario V60 Filters

The classic choice for the V60 brewer. Even flow, clean paper taste, and consistent results. A benchmark filter that many recipes are designed around.

               

Kalita Wave Filters

Flat-bottom design with a wave pattern that helps maintain an even bed of coffee during brewing. Ideal for the Kalita Wave dripper and other flat bed brewers, encouraging balanced extractions with a forgiving brew style.

Cafec Trapezoid Filters

For trapezoid-shaped brewers like classic Melitta-style drippers. The shape supports a different flow dynamic, with a more controlled and steady drawdown.

Why It Matters

It’s a small, affordable change that can have a big impact on your brew. Adjusting your paper filter can be a faster, more precise way to shift your cup profile than changing grind size or recipe.

Explore, compare, and see how a simple piece of paper can redefine your coffee.