Is it any surprise coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world? Coffee has been fueling people for over 500 years (some say a lot longer). There are countless ways to drink coffee, countless numbers of coffee types, and numerous ways to brew ground coffee beans. Whether cold brew or hot brew, coffee culture is out in full force.
However, with health concerns growing around the world, more and more coffee drinkers are being mindful of where their coffee comes from and how coffee consumption affects their health. This has caused a complete re-evaluation of the coffee making process in order to make it healthier for the drinker.
Rating the Healthiest Coffee Filters
One aspect of the coffee making process that has come under the microscope has been the use of coffee filters. The sad truth is that even so-called “reusable” coffee filters should probably not be used indefinitely. There are concerns about BPA levels, wear and tear over time, and the overall sustainability of using certain coffee filters. If you are concerned about the safety of your health while supporting your love of coffee then here are the healthiest coffee maker filters on the market.
Gold Tone Reusable #4 Coffee Filter
If you are using a traditional drip-style coffee maker, then this particular filter cannot be ignored. Featuring a metal mesh for the filter body, you do not have to worry about BPA or any unnatural residues making their way into your coffee. Do you know what does make it into your coffee? Those delicious coffee oils normally get absorbed when you use most of the paper filters on the market. This means that you get a more delicious cup of coffee with this filter. As an added bonus, it’s dishwasher safe and fits most #4 size coffee makers. The stainless steel construction makes it practically perfect for your coffee needs.
Melitta #4 Coffee Filters
It would be unfair to say that all paper coffee filters compromised good, deep flavor. Many of the simple filters that are cheaply made compromise coffee flavor. However, these paper filters from Melitta do not. That is thanks to their micro-perforations. Those perforations allow for the paper to filter the coffee while allowing those delicious coffee oils to make their way to your cup. It is almost like being able to have your cake and eat it too.
Reusable K-Cup
Ever since Keurig came on the market, K-Cups are everywhere. The problem is that not all K-Cups are “official” K-Cups and are therefore not made to the same standards. The quality of the coffee is not always the best. On top of that, while K-Cups are certified as BPA-free, they can still have adverse effects if they’re overheated. Fortunately, this Reusable plastic K-Cup does not have that problem. With this K-Cup you can decide the amount of coffee you would like for your brew, making it as weak or as strong as you would like.
Tupkee 4-6 Cup 400 Pack – White
It is commonly accepted that if you are going to use paper coffee filters that you should avoid white colored filters because they have likely been bleached in order to achieve that perfect white look. Most people will tell you to stick with brown-colored paper coffee filters because they have not been bleached, and therefore cannot compromise your health or the flavor of your coffee. This 400 pack of white coffee filters from Tupkee proves that does not have to be the case. These filters achieve their white appearance without the use of bleach, which means there is one less chemical component for you to worry about. Best of all, these are standard coffee filters that you will find are available for practically every major coffee maker on the market.
Tupkee 4-6 Cup 400 Pack – Brown
There is also the brown alternative to the white 400 pack of Tupkee filters. Like the white alternative, you have the ability to brew large quantities of coffee in your standard coffee pot. After you are done using them you are able to put them in the compost heap and give back to nature. There is no real difference, you simply get the added peace of mind of knowing that they have not been processed in any way to achieve their color.
Cold Brew Strainer Bags
Preserving coffee’s robust flavor is important to coffee aficionados. When you use heat you may be getting the most commonly accepted form of coffee, but did you know that by drinking a cold-brew version of your favorite coffee you could try a whole new flavor profile? This is because using cold brew strainer bags to make your coffee filters out the acidic portion of your coffee, leaving you with a new unique taste and additional acids that may not be beneficial for your body.
Barista Warrior Pour-Over Coffee Filter
Pour-Over coffee has become incredibly popular over the last decade. There are numerous reasons why. For starters, there is a health benefit. Pour-over coffee typically contains less cholesterol than coffee that has been brewed in a coffee machine. If you want a filter for your new-found pour-over obsession, then this option from Barista Warrior has what you need.
It features a beautiful stainless steel, copper coated body that is dishwasher safe. It is compatible with most pour-over coffee makers on the market. And if you are a stickler for appearances, you can purchase a version with a black finish.
Bolio Organic Hemp Coffee Maker
Another great coffee filter for the pour-over method is this organic hemp offering from Bolio. Its organic form factor lends an interesting flavor to your favorite coffee as it filters out all of the unwanted sediment and by-products that you do not want in your coffee. However, it preserves the natural flavor that coffee oils deliver. This is paired with the added health bonus associated with pour-over coffee. Best of all, it is a completely eco-friendly coffee filter that can be used literally hundreds of times.
Tips For Using Your Coffee Filters
If you want to have the perfect cup of Joe then you cannot stop at simply picking a good filter. You have to use your filters the right way. Here are some tips that will help you get the most out of your coffee.
The Purer the Source…
Good tasting coffee doesn’t start with the coffee bean. It starts with your water. If you are using water that is straight from your home’s tap then the bad news is that you are stifling your coffee’s potential. The sad fact is that most tap water is pretty lousy. There is no telling how many particulates and contaminants could be present. Even if you manage to use a filter there is a good chance that the taste of the water has been compromised. Use clean, purified water and you are guaranteed to have a better cup of coffee.
Keep it Clean
If you want tasty, and healthy, coffee you need to make sure that the equipment you use to brew it stays clean between uses. There are some who think that the residual buildup of coffee-making particles can lead to a stronger tasting brew…but this is just laziness at work. The odds are more likely that you will just ruin a cup of coffee. Cleaning your filter will yield a better, fresher tasting cup every time.
Whole Beans are Better
If you want the best possible tasting coffee, then grinding it yourself is the way to go. Not only will the flavor be more robust, but you will also be able to control how coarse or how fine the coffee is when you brew it. This also means that you can grind your coffee to a consistency that is perfect for the filter you use.
Don’t Pack Too Tightly
One of the most common mistakes people will make when using their coffee filter is packing their coffee too tightly. The thought process is usually that they think they will end up with a stronger tasting cup of coffee. The opposite is true. When you do not pack your coffee tightly you are enabling the water that you use to effectively coat and mingle with your coffee, yielding a more flavorful cup.
