About Coffee Filters
Coffee filters help keep grounds out of your morning cup of coffee. While ways of filtering coffee have been around for centuries, modern coffee filters were not invented until the early twentieth century. This simple design allows the water to take in the properties of the coffee beans without over-brewing or allowing coffee grounds to pass through. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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The first coffee filter was invented in Dresden, Germany, by Melitta Bentz. Bentz was searching for a way to brew coffee while avoiding the bitterness caused by over-brewing. After some experimenting, she discovered that a piece of blotter paper cut into a circle worked extremely well for filtering coffee. The coffee filter was patented on July 20,1908, by Melitta and her husband Hugo. Together, they began producing coffee filters under the name Melitta Bentz Company. Just a year later, they were able to sell more than 1,200 filters at a single fair in Germany.
Function
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A coffee filter's function is to allow water to absorb the taste and aroma of the coffee grounds without allowing the grounds to pass through. A filter has numerous small holes that allow the water to slowly drip through. While the water sits in the filter, it absorbs the flavor of the coffee grounds. This process keeps the coffee from becoming too bitter, which is a result of over-brewing.
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Types
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There are two main types of coffee filters: disposable and reusable. Disposable coffee filters are made from paper, which may or may not be recycled. This type comes in different shapes and sizes to accommodate the variety of coffee maker models available. These filters are good for one use, then are disposed of.
Reusable coffee filters are typically made of plastic and metal, though models made of hemp or gold are also available. The fine metal mesh cup holds the coffee filters and allows the water to drip through. Reusable coffee filters can be reused many times until the filter breaks.
Size
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The size of a coffee filter is based on the amount of coffee that can be produced from the grounds that fit in the filter. In coffee makers, a certain size of filter is required, based on the maximum number of cups that could be produced. Coffee filters range in size, beginning with filters made to produce a single cup of coffee up to commercial-size filters meant for 10 or more gallons of coffee. In the United States, sizes #2 and #4 are most common, as these brew 4 to 6 and 10 to 12 cups, respectively.
Warning
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If the coffee filter does not fit properly into the appliance's basket, it can cause problems. The paper is likely to fold over, letting the coffee grounds escape and drip into the carafe along with the water. Aside from purchasing the proper size filter, putting a few drops of water around the edge of the coffee filter helps it stick to the sides of the coffee maker and prevents folding.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Wikipedia Commons
