Which filter is best for pour-over coffee?

What are the different types of filters for pour-over coffee?

**Filter Paper**
**Advantages:** Single-use product, no washing required after use, filters even finely ground coffee.

**Disadvantages:** Consumable, uses more material; poor-quality paper may have a papery smell.

**Suggestion:** To prevent a papery smell, rinse with hot water before filtering, or buy bleached filter paper.

**Stainless Steel Filter Mesh**
**Advantages:** Compared to flannel and filter paper, the biggest advantage is that it doesn’t filter out oils, better preserving the original flavor of the coffee. The flow rate is good.

**Disadvantages:** Difficult to clean; requires frequent cleaning. Over time, the pores can become clogged, preventing water flow. The coffee grounds need to be coarsely ground; finely ground coffee cannot be filtered, resulting in impurities in the taste.

**Suggestion:** After use, gently brush with a clean toothbrush and baking soda to remove oils and prevent affecting the taste of the next brew.

Coffee Filter Cloth

Advantages: Compared to filter paper and mesh filters, coffee filter cloth perfectly combines the advantages of both, filtering out clean, impurity-free coffee while retaining the coffee’s crema.

Disadvantages: Extremely troublesome to clean; if not cleaned, it may leave a grime-like smell that affects the taste.

Suggestion: Adding baking soda during cleaning can better remove the crema.

Tip: Those who prefer the original flavor of coffee may consider using a coffee filter cloth or metal mesh filter, as these better retain crema and the original flavor. Those who prefer a clean and refreshing taste can use filter paper.