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Filter coffee is defined by its brewing method, which involves pouring hot water over ground coffee contained in a filter. This process allows for a slow extraction of flavours, oils, and caffeine, resulting in a clean, smooth cup with a distinct, often sweet taste. The use of a filter—typically paper or metal—traps fine coffee particles, yielding a brew that is less bitter and more nuanced compared to other methods like espresso.
Filter coffee creates a delicate brew with a sweet, almost clean taste. Its acidity is softer, resulting in a complex flavour profile that is still easy to drink.
In contrast, espresso coffee exhibits a more pronounced acidity. The flavours of the coffee bean are extracted in a way that emphasises boldness, making it richer and more intense.
Filter or pour-over coffee typically contains more caffeine than espresso. This is because filter coffee extracts natural oils, sugars, and caffeine at a slower pace, allowing for a more gradual release of these compounds.
Filter coffee has gained significant popularity across coffee lovers in more recent years.. In 2023, the US National Coffee Association (NCA) reported that it was the top choice among coffee drinkers, with 41% of “past day” consumers using filter coffee brewers. You will often see pour-over options in speciality coffee shops as well as filter (drip brew) available behind counters in larger chains.
The method of brewing filter or drip coffee, as we know it today, can largely be traced back to Germany. In 1908, Melitta Bentz invented a home drip coffee brewer specifically for this purpose. This innovation spread to the United States through military personnel stationed in Europe during World War II. By 2019, drip coffee machines accounted for 43% of all coffee machines sold in the US.
The increasing immigration to the US also played a role in the broader acceptance of filter coffee. In Germany and Scandinavia, there has historically been a preference for milder, more diluted cups of coffee, which likely influenced the tastes of immigrants.
Filter coffee, which can be brewed in advance in large quantities and kept warm, aligns perfectly with the coffee industry’s growing emphasis on convenience and service speed. This adaptability makes it a favourite in both home settings and commercial establishments.
If you’re looking to try it for yourself then why not start off with our Drip Brew Special – a blend specifically created for filter coffee.
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