There are many ways to prepare a good cup of coffee. Many people swear by the coffee pot they use, while others swear on the brand of coffee. But no cup of coffee turns out well without the help of a good coffee filter. Coffee filters come in different shapes and materials depending on the type of coffee brewer it is being used by. Each type of filter has different attributes to help an individual choose which types of coffee filters are best for them.

Types of Coffee Filters

There are several different types of coffee filters widely used today. The most popular type of coffee filter used is the paper coffee filter. It is widely believed that paper filters are the best at keeping the coffee grounds out of the pot and therefore out of your cup. They are recommended when brewing inexpensive brands as the small pores of the paper will retain some of the oil of the coffee causing the coffee to lose some of its flavor. Paper coffee filters come in either the white "oxygen cleansed?varieties or natural brown paper that are made without the use of chemicals.

There are also coffee filters that are made out of metal. These filters are considered the best for infusing the total flavor of the coffee, but a few of the grounds inevitably end up in the cup as well. The filters are specially treated to avoid transferring a metallic taste into the coffee and careful care will help the filter last for years. These coffee filters are generally created to fit a specific type of coffee pot and replacing the filter can be more expensive than you expect.

Cloth coffee filters are typically made of natural cotton which is unbleached. The cloth filters retain more coffee grounds than the metal filters but allow more of the coffee oil to pass through than the paper filters, thus adding more flavor to the coffee. With proper care, these filters will last for about four months. Although they are less convenient than the paper coffee filters, cloth filters are quickly becoming more popular with the growing number of individuals buying gourmet coffee.

Whether using paper, metal, or cloth coffee filters, the filter is the key to a great cup of coffee. Individuals can choose their ideal filter by the attributes that it brings to the equation. Knowing the differences between the types of coffee filters available will help the individual create their perfect cup of coffee.