The Evolution of the Modern Coffee Filter

Until recently, the coffee filter was a part of the coffee making experience that  you couldn't live with but just couldn't live without. Often hard to separate from a package, or folding over and allowing coffee grounds to fall into the pot, and always needing to be replaced for every fresh pot of coffee, the coffee filter has made the experience of coffee drinking, at times, a rather frustrating experience.

Usually made of disposable paper, the first filter for coffee was created by Melitta Benz in Dresden Germany in 1908. Composed of blotter paper, and round in shape, her invention was designed to make filtered coffee by eliminating the coffee grinds when boiling water was poured over the ground coffee. The impetus of her invention was her desire to enjoy a cup of coffee without the bitter  taste coffee exhibited.

When you think about it, (and depending of the version of the coffee history you believe,) coffee has been around since about 1000 A.D. when it was not brewed at all but was eaten as a berry. Then in the early 1700's a basic coffee filter of sorts, the abiggins, was developed by the Europeans. But prior to that, brewed coffee had the coffee grounds left in the brew. People didn't start preparing their coffee by the drip method until Mrs. Bentz decided that she was tired of bitter coffee. And since then, coffee aficionados everywhere have sought to improve upon the function and material components of the coffee filter while preserving the flavor of the coffee.

Over the years, the blotting paper filter developed by the Melitta company, was replaced by their new paper filters that allowed more coffee through micro-fine perforations. Additionally, other manufacturers, used a variety of paper from, unbleached pulp, oxygen processed, virgin pulp that is oxygen whitened and chlorine free, and an unbleached natural brown paper. Whatever the paper type, the paper filters are an easy to use, (but frustrating at times,) easy to dispose of and relatively inexpensive method of filtering unnecessary particles and oils from coffee.

But the coffee filter has evolved into so much more than a paper product. Pre-measured amounts of ground coffee wrapped in a paper are a new product called coffee filter packs. Now you never have to worry about needing a filter to make your coffee.

And then there is the newest filter of them all, the permanent coffee filter that is designed to preserve the flavor of the coffee better than paper. One of these, a gold-plated foil filter, does not absorb the flavors from the coffee, is a neutral material so it doesn't alter the taste of the coffee and has a precisely defined mesh to keep the coffee grounds out and allow all the flavor through. Believe it or not, they are relatively inexpensive, dishwasher safe, and long lasting.

The coffee filter has indeed evolved since Melitta Bentz created a paper filter made from her son's blotting paper. If you haven't tried the newer versions of this one-time staple in every kitchen, and you want a flavorful cup pf coffee every time, then replace the paper filters with a modern version of this long time drip coffee necessity. You'll be delighted with a permanent filter that is re-usable, and long lasting, especially if you care about the environment.

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