Does Aeropress Filter Out Cafestol? (Solved & Explained!)

Aeropress coffee is plunged through a filter. Dependent on which filter you choose, the cafestol may not be filtered out. If using a paper Aeropress filter, the cafestol will be caught and filtered out. If using a metal mesh filter, the cafestol will not be filtered out. Cafestol is a substance in coffee which can increase cholesterol.

We will explore the different types of filters you can purchase for Aeropress and the pros and cons of using each, and why filtering out cafestol is best for your health.

Which Aeropress Filters Filter Out Cafestol?

The standard paper filters that come with Aeropress will filter cafestol out of your coffee. This is because the paper catches even the finest coffee grounds from entering the water, meaning they are saturated for less time. This means that the oils, caffeine and substances like cafestol and kahweol are caught on the paper.

What Is Cafestol?

Cafestol, and also kahweol, are hydrocarbons called diterpenes which are found in coffee beans. These substances are found in Arabica and Robusta beans. They have strong aromas and oils which add flavor and bitterness to coffee, but they can also be harmful and increase cholesterol.

How Does Cafestol Raise Cholesterol?

Cafestol and kahweol raise cholesterol by affecting how your body produces bile. Bile breaks down fatty acids in the body to help digest and metabolize them and maintain cholesterol levels. If bile production is decreased, cholesterol will increase as fats cannot be digested properly. Consuming cafestol and kahweol in excess also increases the risk of liver damage.

Is Filtered Coffee Better for Cholesterol Levels?

Coffee that has been filtered contains less cafestol and kahweol and is therefore better for cholesterol levels. This is because with a paper filter the water only passes through the grounds once, rather than having prolonged contact. Most of the oils from cafestol and kahweol are left behind on the filter and do not saturate into the coffee.

Which Coffee Raises Cholesterol Most?

Cafestol and kahweol are more present in coffee when the grounds have been in contact with water for longer and are not filtered out. Turkish coffee and French press are the coffee which raise cholesterol the most. Healthline states that research showed that drinking five cups of French press coffee a day for 4 weeks increased cholesterol by 6-8%.

Which Filters Can You Use in An Aeropress?

The most common filters that people use in an Aeropress are the disposable paper ones. According to the Aeropress site, these can be purchased in a pack of 350. But you can also purchase a mesh metal disc which fits into an Aeropress and acts as a permanent filter.

The Pros and Cons of Paper vs Metal Filters in Aeropress

Taste

• Paper filters mean that coffee grounds are caught and are only passed through the water once. The oils and other substances are caught on the paper. This produces a weaker, light, clean, fruity and floral flavor.
• Metal filters mean that coffee grounds have prolonged contact with water, saturating the oils, aromas and flavors from the coffee. This creates a heavy, rich, robust, and bodied coffee.

Sediment

• Paper filters catch even the finest grounds, leaving no sediment in coffee.
• Metal filters have wider gaps and if you do not use grounds that are coarse enough they can get through the mesh into the water, causing sediment and bitterness.

Health

• Paper filters remove substances such as cafestol and kahweol from coffee, as well as excess oils and caffeine. This makes them better for health as they raise cholesterol less.
• Metal filters saturate all the elements from coffee, the good and the bad. This means that cafestol, kahweol, oils and lots of caffeine remain in the water. Drinking lots of coffee that is unfiltered in this way can raise cholesterol.

Sustainability

• Paper filters are disposable and require trees to be cut down to make them, so they are not as eco-friendly an option. However, Aeropress standard paper filters are compostable and biodegradable. Add them to your compost pile with the coffee grounds to make fertilizer at home.
• Reusable metal filters are the most environmentally friendly option as they can be used for years and do not create waste.

Convenience

• Paper filters are ore convenient as there is easy clean up. You can just remove the filter and dispose of it with the coffee grounds in the household waste or in the compost pile.
• Metal filters are less convenient as they must be thoroughly washed and dried after each use to ensure no loose grounds or residue build up.

Cost

• Paper filters are cheaper upfront but as you need to continue buying them it works out as more expensive in the long run.
• Metal filters are more expensive to buy at first but as the same filter will last for years it works out as cheaper in the long run.

Which Coffee Grounds and Roast Are Best for Aeropress?

Due to the short amount of time grounds have contact with the water a dark roast would give much more flavor, similar to how coffee is quickly made in an espresso machine.

The short steeping time also means that finer coffee grounds will have enough time to extract the flavor, whereas coarse grounds have more surface area and the flavors cannot be extracted as well during that time. If using finer grounds, a paper filter will be best to avoid sediment.

What Is the Aeropress Design?

Aeropress is made of two cylinders, a smaller one with a flexible airtight seal that fits inside the larger. It comes with a coffee scoop to measure grounds, a funnel to pour the grounds inside, a stirrer and the standard paper filters to place in the cap.

How Does an Aeropress Work?

An Aeropress immerses coffee grounds in hot water for a couple of minutes before quickly plunging the grounds through a filter with a lot of pressure. This easy method leads to a smooth, flavorful cup of coffee.