Is Aeropress a Coffee Filter? (Solved & Explained!)

Aeropress itself is not a coffee filter but creates filtered coffee. Aeropress is a device which is used to brew coffee in hot water and plunges coffee grounds through a filter. Aeropress comes with paper filters but can also be used with a metal mesh filter dependent on ground size and taste preferences.

The following will dive into how Aeropress filters coffee, the types of filters you can use in Aeropress and the pros and cons of each, and the benefits of filtering coffee.

Is Aeropress Coffee Filtered?

Aeropress works by steeping coffee grounds in hot water for a couple of minutes before plunging them quickly through a filter. If using a paper filter Aeropress counts as filtered coffee but using a metal filter means the coffee is technically unfiltered as the grounds are steeped directly in the water and not caught and filtered out.

Which Filters Can You Use in An Aeropress?

Aeropress coffee makers come with their standard paper filters. Replacement filters can be purchased from the Aeropress website and come in a pack of 350 filters. You can also purchase metal filters which come in a stainless-steel mesh disc and act as a permanent filter.

Paper vs Metal Filters in Aeropress – the Pros and Cons

Here we will explore the different features and pros and cons of using each of these filters in your Aeropress so you can decide which filter is right for your brew.

Taste

• Paper: water passes through the coffee grounds once before grounds are caught on the paper filter. The oils, aromas and other substances are caught on the paper. This produces a weaker yet cleaner, smoother, floral flavor.
• Metal: coffee grounds are saturated in water for several minutes. This prolonged contact extracts the flavors, oils, and aromas from the grounds into the water. This creates a heavy, bodied coffee which is rich and robust in flavor.

Sediment

• Paper: catches finely ground coffee, leaving no sediment in coffee and making a smooth brew.
• Metal: the wider gaps mean that grounds need to be coarse. If grounds are too fine they can get through the mesh into the water, leaving bits of sediment and a bitter taste.

Health

• Paper: catches substances such as cafestol, kahweol, excess oil and caffeine on the paper and prevents them from getting into the coffee. This benefits health as it does not raise cholesterol as much.
• Metal: the cafestol, kahweol, oils and caffeine are all saturated directly into the water and are not filtered out. This means that drinking this coffee is more likely to raise cholesterol levels.

Sustainability

• Paper: these filters are disposable, so they are not the most environmentally friendly option. Aeropress standard paper filters are biodegradable so can be added to a compost pile to make fertilizer.
• Metal: these filters are reusable and so are the most sustainable option. They last for years.

Convenience

• Paper: these filters are very convenient as there is no clean up required. Once you have brewed your coffee you can simply take them out of the Aeropress and dispose of the filter and grounds in the trash or a compost pile.
• Metal: these filters are not convenient as they must be cleaned thoroughly between uses to prevent loose grounds getting stuck or a build-up of residue.

Cost

• Paper: these are cheaper upfront, but it works out more expensive in the long term as they need to be continually purchased.
• Metal: these are more expensive upfront, but it works out cheaper in the long term as they only need to be purchased once and will last for years.

Which Filter Is Best for Aeropress?

This depends on personal preference but is mainly determined by the size grounds that you use. As Aeropress only steeps the grounds for a short amount of time before plunging, it is suggested that a dark roast with finer grounds would give more flavor.

The flavors from the smaller grounds can be extracted during this time and a dark roast has a stronger flavor to pull from. A paper filter is recommended for use with finer grounds to prevent sediment.

Why Does Coffee Need to Be Filtered?

Filters catch the oils, caffeine and potentially harmful substances such as cafestol and kahweol to prevent them from getting into the coffee. Cafestol and kahweol are diterpenes which are found in coffee and raise cholesterol levels, also increasing the risk of liver damage.

How Does Unfiltered Coffee Raise Cholesterol?

Cafestol and kahweol raise cholesterol by preventing the body from properly producing bile. If fatty acids cannot be broken down and metabolized by bile, cholesterol levels are not maintained and become higher.

French press and Turkish coffee are methods which allow coffee grounds to have the most contact with water and therefore if drunk in excess can raise cholesterol the most. Research reported by Healthline claimed that cholesterol was increased up to 8% by drinking 5 cups of French press coffee each day for 4 weeks.

Which Beneficial Substances in Coffee Should Not Be Filtered Out?

Drinking coffee has many health benefits as it contains vital vitamins such as B-12 as well as nutrients, minerals and antioxidants including calcium and potassium. Coffee is even linked with preventing certain diseases such as type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and depression.

How Many Cups of Coffee Should You Drink a Day?

Whether it’s filtered or unfiltered, coffee should always be drunk in moderation. This allows you to gain the health benefits from the antioxidants without ingesting too much caffeine which can cause headaches, stomach irritation and sleeping problems, as well as the substances which can raise cholesterol and lead to other health issues.

According to reputable sources such as the Mayo Clinic, WebMD and the FDA, the recommended number of cups of coffee to be consumed daily is four cups. These cups should be 8 ounces in liquid and no more than 400mg of caffeine should be consumed daily. Drinking over 4 cups a day can lead to higher cholesterol and risk of heart and liver disease.