Brewing a jug full of filter coffee can turn into your favourite daily ritual or an occasion for a gourmet tasting experience. If you prefer your drinks subtler, more delicate, incredibly varied, and as pleasant to sip on as they are to make, then filter coffee may very well be just what you’re looking for. It goes excellently with long, friendly chats over a cup of coffee, as well as calm, relaxing work breaks—and, as long as you brew it with love and care, it’s bound to introduce you to new, amazingly rich flavours.
When it comes to brewing filter coffee, there’s a bunch of techniques and tools to choose from, be it Chemex, Aeropress, pour-over coffee drippers (all of which require some degree of mastery), or the considerably more user-friendly filter coffee machines. While the brewing process itself is relatively simple, obtaining flawless results still requires a fair amount of skill and effort. Below, you’ll find some tips on what coffee type, roast level and grind size are best suited for a truly delicious filter cuppa.Â
This brewing method tends to be favoured by those who love discovering new flavours and are always on the lookout for maximum variety. Preparing filter coffee involves a slower, ritualised process: during it, hot water is allowed to seep through the ground coffee with no additional pressure, leaving any grounds behind and filling the jug with delicious coffee bit by bit. This results in subtler, more delicate flavours than those obtained using other brewing techniques, such as an espresso machine. Moreover, different filter brewing tools unveil an even greater variety of tastes, enabling coffee connoisseurs to experience the full depth of flavour hidden in their coffee beans. Once ready, a quality filter brew is light-bodied, clean, and marked by incredibly vivid tasting notes.
 To experience this for yourself, however, you’ll need to pick the right coffee for the job first. Whether you own the iconic Hario V60 dripper, the elegant Chemex, the classic Moccamaster coffee machine, or any other filter brewing tool, the selection criteria remain unchanged. All filter coffee machines and brewing tools are best suited for medium- to light-roasted beans. Beans like that help craft a cleaner cup, more vivid flavours and a lighter body, which are all qualities that a great filter brew should feature.Â
If you plan on using coffee beans and a manual brewing tool for your filter coffee rituals, we recommend grinding your beans right before preparation to obtain the best possible flavour. However, when it comes to fans of filter coffee machines, there’s an increasing number of filter appliances with built-in grinders appearing on the market: these take the hassle of coffee grinding out of the filter brewing process, letting you enjoy delightfully fresh and fragrant beverages with ease.
It’s important to pay attention to the kind of coffee beans you’re using too. We suggest choosing beans of a medium to lighter roast so that you can savour their sweet, fruity, all-natural notes. Many coffee packages or e-shop descriptions indicate whether the beans you’re eyeing are suited for the filter brewing method, by the way. If this information isn’t available though, no worries: just go back to using roast level as a guide. What about the grind size, you wonder? You should go for a medium grind, which is marked by a consistency similar to coarse sand or sea salt. A grind like that will help ensure the right, perfectly even flow of water.Â
Now that you know how to pick the right beans for this unique brewing method, we invite you to browse through Coffee Friend’s range of products! It includes numerous premium-quality beans suited great for a gorgeous cup of filter coffee. You might want to take a look at our own coffee lines too: these are the best-selling Caprisette, the specialty coffee blends Parallel, and the specialty Black Crow White Pigeon. You’re guaranteed to taste the difference once you’ve tried any of the coffees created by us here at Coffee Friend and crafted specially for the filter brewing technique. Feel free to experiment and discover your new favourite filter coffee!Â
The filter brewing method is pretty much synonymous with premium-quality specialty coffee. Why is that, you wonder? Well, that’s because filter brewing tools are excellent at uncovering the subtlest of notes hidden in your beans. Marked by a buttery, silky body and an amazingly clean cup, specialty coffee is all about rich notes, depth of flavour, and a particularly wide variety of aromas, which makes it the ideal choice for a gorgeous filter brew.
There are a few things you should pay attention to when looking for the right specialty variety. First, consider your own personal taste: if you’re a fan of fruity, citrusy flavours, search for coffees with these notes at the forefront; and if you prefer your brews extra sweet, choose specialty varieties with notes of caramel, chocolate or nuts.
You may also encounter the phrase ‘single-origin’ on the packaging of some specialty coffees. What does it mean? It means that all of the beans in that particular package come from a single location. This also speaks to the quality of that coffee: the most valuable beans are rarely mixed together in order to preserve their unique flavours and aromas.
Again, to get the most out of your specialty coffee and experience the whole gamut of notes it offers, you should go for beans of a light to medium roast. In addition to specialty varieties from some of the word’s best-known coffee producers, we suggest you give Coffee Friend’s own line of specialty coffees called Black Crow White Pigeon a try. A firm favourite amongst our clients, it represents the entire spectrum of features that specialty varieties can boast: from dark, deep notes to light, subtle aromas.Â
At the end of the day, all brewing methods require ground coffee—and filter brews are no exception. Whichever filter brewing tool you end up using, you’ll still have to pour ground coffee into a special paper filter at one point or another. This is why ground coffee is the ideal solution for those looking to cut their filter brewing rituals short. All you’ll need in this case is some pre-ground coffee, your preferred filter brewing tool, and water heated to the right temperature. Using these three, you’ll be able to obtain a clean, flavourful, incredibly fragrant brew with pretty much no effort.Â
The filter brewing method is particularly sensitive to subtle adjustments, so pay attention to the grind size of the pre-ground variety you’re eyeing. Your best bet is coffee of a medium to coarser grind. Beans that have been ground too finely may lead to loss of aromas, as well as exceedingly bitter or acidic notes. In contrast, a grind size that’s just right helps ensure even water flow, which guarantees the optimal flavour extraction.
It’s easy to adjust the strength of your coffee when using the filter brewing method too: just increase or decrease the amount of ground coffee you’re using. As far as the roast level is concerned, those who prefer their brews light, subtle, vivid, yet weaker than a cup of espresso, should go for coffees of a medium to light roast.
Planning on foregoing a regular cup of coffee from now on, yet still feel like enjoying the good old flavour of a familiar brew from time to time? If that’s the case, then you should absolutely consider trying decaf coffee: it’s created to help you enjoy your favourite tastes, or even discover new ones. Using a filter coffee machine or a manual filter brewing tool, you’ll be able to brew a delicious decaf cuppa. When looking for the right decaffeinated coffee, keep the same key criteria in mind: choose beans of a medium to light roast, and avoid grinds that are too fine. Â
Fans of decaf coffees are bound to enjoy Coffee Friend’s own Caprisette Lullaby Decaf: it boasts a subtle flavour and mouth-watering aroma. Those searching for something extra special might want to give decaf specialty coffee a try. We suggest Black Crow White Pigeon Colombia Decaf, which offers the ideal balance of sweet and refreshing flavours.Â
There are plenty of ways to obtain a delicious, delightfully fragrant filter brew: from Chemex or Aeropress coffee makers to pour-over coffee drippers and filter coffee machines. While the brewing process itself isn’t particularly complicated, getting the most out of your filter coffee still requires some skill and knowledge. To help you out, here are several tips on how to find the right coffee for you, regardless of your preferred filter brewing technique:
Coffee for filter coffee machines. Drinks brewed using a filter coffee machine tend to boast particularly varied flavours, a buttery or silky body, and an extremely clean cup. You’re free to go for a variety of notes when choosing coffee for filter coffee machines: from dark, deep, earthy flavours to light and delicate ones.Â
Coffee for Chemex coffee makers. This brewing method involves a longer contact between coffee and water, and requires the use of special paper filters to keep all residues, grounds and oils out of your drink. The final result is a delightfully delicate beverage that’s very light and not as bitter. Choose coffee for Chemex coffee makers if you’re looking for sweet, subtle notes.Â
Coffee for pour-over coffee drippers. Using the V60 or a different kind of pour-over coffee dripper, you’ll obtain an incredibly clean, subtle brew with ease. Coffee for pour-over coffee drippers is perfect for sworn fans of light textures.Â
Coffee for Aeropress coffee makers. This method will help your coffee uncover its most complex, vivid flavours. The Aeropress coffee maker is extremely flexible as far as grind size is concerned: just keep in mind that the coarser the grind, the less intense the brew. Let your personal taste lead the way when choosing coffee for Aeropress coffee makers. You’ll be able to adjust the brewing duration and temperature as well, leading to even more exciting flavour experiments!
Like other types of coffee, filter coffee can be brewed using arabica or robusta beans. Curious what’s the difference between the two? Each of them boasts a unique flavour profile. Those using manual filter brewing tools should go for 100% arabica coffee beans: they’re particularly delicate, less bitter, and marked by a lower caffeine content, which is important for fans of lighter coffees. Arabica also boasts a greater variety of flavours, depending on which coffee-growing region it originates from—and, if you’re a proponent of the filter brewing method, a wide spectrum of tastes is probably just what you’re looking for!Â
If you plan on using a filter coffee machine instead, arabica and robusta blends are also a great choice. Robusta beans create a fuller body and a heavier, richer, more bitter taste, which is perfect for fans of intense flavour profiles. Feel free to experiment with a few different coffees and discover what’s right for you, be it the subtlety of arabica or the intensity of robusta!
Coffee gift sets featuring filter coffee are perfect for any coffee lover. These sets typically include a variety of coffee beans or grounds, often paired with brewing equipment like a pour-over dripper, filters, or a French press. Many coffee gift sets feature a range of coffee roasts, from light to dark, allowing the recipient to explore different flavors and profiles. Some also include accessories like coffee mugs, scoops, or even syrups and treats to enhance the experience. Filter coffee gift sets offer a great way to introduce someone to the art of brewing at home, whether they’re new to coffee or seasoned enthusiasts.Â
Filter coffee can be even more varied and intriguing when it’s brewed using locally roasted coffee beans. What makes locally roasted filter coffee so special? First of all, it’s unmatched freshness! Coffee like this is roasted in smaller batches, which means that your beans are as fresh and fragrant as they can possibly be. Secondly, there’s the special attention paid to the quality of each batch, and the passion with which local roasters chase after the finest flavours. Finally, there’s the human element: buying locally roasted coffee lets you support local businesses and develop a more personal relationship with the products you’re choosing.
Still unsure which coffee is the best choice for your preferred filter brewing method? Interested in other types of coffee? Whatever’s the case, you can always reach out to Coffee Friend’s consultants, who will be happy to help you make your decision! You’re more than welcome to pay us a visit at one of our physical stores as well: here, over a cup of delicious coffee, the most valuable tips are shared, and the best choices are made with ease!
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