Many people wonder whether bleached or unbleached coffee filters are better.
If you plan to switch up your filters, you’ll want to know which option suits you best. So, which type should you use for the perfect cup of coffee?
Quick Answer: Which is better, bleached or unbleached coffee filters?
When it comes to bleached vs. unbleached coffee filters, unbleached coffee filters are the best. These filters are better for the environment and don’t contain chemicals like bleached ones. However, the bleached filters are still safe to use, but unbleached filters do have extra steps.
In this article, I’ll break down everything you need to know about bleached and unbleached coffee filters so you can choose the option that’s best for you.
The differences are subtle but significant when preparing coffee. Let’s get started.
Bleached vs. unbleached coffee filters: which is better?
Many people say that unbleached filters are better. While it comes down to personal preference, unbleached filters are best since they don’t use as many chemicals.
The white filters go through a bleaching process to remove the brown color from the paper, creating chemical waste.
However, bleached coffee filters are still safe to use. Tiny amounts of bleach go into the filters, which isn’t enough for it to get in your coffee.
As a bonus, they won’t impact the taste of your drink either.
Bleached filters also harm water and soil and the creatures that live there, which is why it’s better to choose brown filters when you can.
Manufacturers use chlorine as one of the bleaching ingredients, which is extremely bad for the environment.
Unbleached filters are often brown and don’t go through chemical processing.
If you want to choose products that don’t hurt the environment, brown coffee filters are the way to go. Plus, they tend to cost slightly less.
What are bleached coffee filters?
Bleached coffee filters are the thin, white pieces of paper you pour the brew through. They catch the coffee grounds, keeping them out of your drink. However, they don’t need to go through the bleaching process. It’s purely for looks.
Bleaching the filters doesn’t make them more sanitary or safe to use, and most manufacturers do this to make the filters look nicer so they sell.
There are two different ways for manufacturers to create bleached filters. They can either use chlorine or oxygen bleaching.
While chlorine bleaching creates waste that harms our environment, oxygen bleaching is a bit safer.
Benefits of bleached coffee filters
Bleached coffee filters are easier to use since they won’t add a papery taste to your coffee if you don’t rinse them.
Although, that’s their only real benefit. Some people also prefer white filters because they look cleaner, but they don’t come with many other benefits.
How do manufacturers bleach coffee filters?
Many problems appear when we start bleaching coffee filters. While alternate bleaching methods are popping up, not all manufacturers use them yet.
Manufacturers bleach coffee filters by exposing the paper to various chemicals, such as chlorine or oxygen bleaching. Chlorine bleaching is highly damaging, with oxygen bleach being slightly less harmful.
You’ll find that cheaper white filters go through the chlorine process since it helps the producers keep the end costs down.
Companies also have to list which bleaching method they use on their filter packaging.
The process involves the reaction of sulfur dioxide and sodium chlorate. These chemicals bind with the pulp and fibers in the paper, removing lignin, which causes the natural paper to have color.
Reasons behind coffee filter bleaching
You may be wondering why factories bleach their coffee filters, but there isn’t a significant reason for it. Manufacturers bleach their filters to make them more attractive to consumers.
When we see a brown coffee filter, we tend to think they’re unclean, even though that’s not the case.
While the white filters look more sanitary, they’re still just as clean as the brown filters.
However, it’s for this reason that companies bleach their paper products. They want them to sell, so they take extra steps to make them look cleaner.
What are unbleached coffee filters?
Unbleached coffee filters are strainers with pour-overs and serve the same purpose as bleached ones. They catch the coffee grounds before they get in your cup. However, these filters don’t go through a whitening process and are a more natural option.
Since manufacturers don’t spend as much time processing these filters, they’re a lot better for the environment.
All paper is naturally brown, although we tend to think of it as white.
You also need to take a few additional steps before using the brown coffee filters. You may want to rinse them out first to avoid a papery taste in your brew.
To prepare your unbleached coffee filter for brewing, follow these steps:
- Set the filter in the pour-over.
- Pour just enough lukewarm water over the filter to wet it.
- Remove the water you just used.
- Continue brewing your coffee as usual.
You won’t have a weird taste added to your coffee by rinsing the filter first. While you also technically should rinse bleached filters first, many people don’t.
Tip: Learn why it’s important to rinse your paper coffee filters before use.
Benefits of unbleached coffee filters
There are several more benefits that come with unbleached coffee filters.
- They cost slightly less than the white filters when you compare options from the same brand. The difference comes from the brown filters requiring less processing and materials to create.
- The unbleached filters often feel thicker than the bleached ones. That means you won’t have to worry as much about accidentally tearing them.
- These types of coffee filters are perfect for composting. While you also can compost the white filters, they can add chemicals to your soil, which isn’t good. For composting, you’ll want to stick with organic options.
Always choose a quality filter
No matter which option you decide to go with, you should always choose a high-quality coffee filter.
The cheapest ones can be too thin, causing the coffee to run through too fast, changing the taste of your brew.
Your coffee maker should recommend a size for your filter. You should choose a filter that fits this size. That way, you can get the most out of them.
If you do get a coffee filter of the correct size, thickness, and quality, it should help you brew a delicious coffee every time.
Skipping on quality can allow tiny grounds or other imperfections to make their way into your cup.
You can tell that a coffee filter isn’t good quality if there’s sludge at the bottom of your mug. The coffee could also turn out very watery and with little flavor.
Finally, paper coffee filters should absorb some of the oils that come with brewing coffee. Removing these oils could help with your cholesterol levels.
Both bleached and unbleached filters can absorb coffee oils, preventing them from getting into your drink.
Overall, when it comes to coffee filters, you always want to choose a high-quality product. There are excellent bleached and unbleached filters available on the market today.
However, if you want to get rid of paper filters altogether, you might want to switch to a reusable mesh filter.
They work the same way that paper filters do, but you only need to pay money for them once, then rinse them out after every brew cycle. This is even better for the environment.
Bleached vs. unbleached coffee filters, which is right for you?
If you want to choose a cheaper product that’s better for the environment, then you’ll want to choose unbleached coffee filters. Bleached filters go through more processing, leading to slightly higher prices and more waste produced.
However, you do need to rinse unbleached filters before using them. If you don’t, your coffee may have a papery taste after brewing.
Many people also choose bleached filters simply because they like how they look.
Overall, the final choice of what you buy is up to you. Consider your needs, then think about which of these options is more likely to fulfill them.
If you use them right, you shouldn’t notice much difference between these two filter types. Your coffee will taste the same.
Can coffee filters impact the taste?
Paper coffee filters won’t impact taste much unless the filters are too thin. Choosing between white and brown filters shouldn’t change the flavor of your coffee much, but it’s a good idea to rinse the filters first.
Some people avoid unbleached filters because they believe the papery taste will be much stronger than it is. However, they shouldn’t impact the taste too much.
Taking a few minutes to rinse the filter removes the paper taste altogether, so there isn’t a noticeable difference in taste between bleached and unbleached coffee filters.
Conclusion
In short, unbleached coffee filters tend to be the best choice for brewing coffee. They’re better for the environment, thicker, and usually cheaper when compared to the bleached ones.
However, you can still choose to use the option you like best.
Overall, both filters are convenient and easy to use. Everyone has different preferences when preparing their morning brew, so make sure to choose the filters you want to use more.
As long as you choose a high-quality product, you should have a good experience with the coffee filters.
