Healthiest Coffee Maker Filters Compared

healthiest coffee filters compared

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.

6 Ways to Make Your Coffee Habit More Sustainable

Make Your Coffee Habit More Sustainable

Coffee is the second most sought after commodity in the world. There is no denying that coffee has a large impact on the environment. Unfortunately, that impact is mostly negative. Many factors involved in coffee consumption and production are harmful to our planet. However, this does not mean that we have to give up our daily coffee. Instead, we can become more mindful and make small adjustments to make our coffee habit more sustainable.

1. Coffee beans

Buying coffee beans is the first step you can change to make your coffee habit more sustainable. The choice you make when selecting coffee beans can make the most significant contribution to your sustainability efforts. This will not only influence what type of coffee production you support, but also the social and economic effect on the coffee producers. Therefore, you should pay attention to labels that are Fairtrade or organic. By opting for Fairtrade coffee, you can support coffee farmers around the world and help protect the environment. You should also buy your coffee beans locally to reduce negative environmental effects of transportation.

2. Use more sustainable preparation methods

There are a lot of different methods and appliances to prepare your coffee. However, some of these appliances create an incredible amount of waste. Pod-machines, such as Nespresso, consume a lot of energy and produce waste that often cannot be recycled. More sustainable alternatives include drip coffee makers, the French press or aero press. If you prefer filter coffee, you should use reusable filters that are made out of metal or cloth. This will prevent additional waste from paper filters.

3. Buy a reusable coffee cup

Many coffee shops sell coffee in single-use plastic cups. These cups are not very environmentally friendly as they are often not recycled properly. If you are prone to buying takeaway coffees, you should bring your own refillable cup or flask. Coffee shops usually offer incentives for customers who do this and you may even get a discount on your coffee. However, if a disposable cup is unavoidable, you can use a 100% compostable coffee cup.

4. Reuse coffee grounds

Reusing coffee grounds does not necessarily mean putting them back into your coffee machine. To get as much use as possible out of your purchase, you can use the grounds for other benefits. Coffee grounds can act as a skin exfoliator, plant fertilizer and deodorizers for your fridge.

5. Milk and sugar dispensers

In order to avoid additional waste, you can use glass dispensers for your sugar. Single packaged coffee creamer and sugar creates a lot of harmful waste in the environment. By switching to glass containers, you not only reduce waste but you can also recycle them once you are finished with them.

6. Dispose of coffee grounds in compost bins

Approximately 6 million tonnes of coffee grounds get sent to landfills every year. To prevent coffee ground build up, you should use a compost bin to dispose of your grounds. These must be composted for around 100 days before you can use them as fertilizer. 

Related Reading: Coffee Brewing Method and Health – What You Need to Know