Aeropress is not unfiltered but is a coffee making device which creates filtered coffee. The Aeropress method involves steeping coffee in hot water for a couple of minutes before quickly plunging the coffee grounds through a filter. Aeropresses come standard with paper filters, but metal mesh filters can also be purchased for use in an Aeropress.
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 filtered vs unfiltered coffee.
Is Aeropress Filtered Coffee?
Aeropress coffee is a type of filtered coffee. Aeropress works by steeping coffee grounds in hot water for a couple of minutes before plunging them quickly through a filter. Your Aeropress device will come with paper filters which filter the grounds and substances from the water when plunging.
What Is the Difference Between Filtered and Unfiltered Coffee?
Filtered coffee is coffee which is brewed using a paper filter that catches the grounds, oils and substances from the coffee and prevents it getting into the water. Unfiltered coffee allows the coffee grounds to have direct contact with the water and extracts all the oils and substances into the water.
Coffee is unfiltered if it does not use a filter at all or even if it uses a metal filter which allows direct contact with the water.
Which Types of Coffee Are Filtered?
- Aeropress
- Pour Over
- Drip Coffee
- Chemex
- Espresso
Which Types of Coffee Are Unfiltered?
- French press
- Turkish
- Percolators
Which Filters Can You Use in An Aeropress?
The common filter to use in an Aeropress is paper. Aeropresses come with their own standard paper filters. Replacement filters can be purchased from the Aeropress website and come in a pack of 350 filters. You can purchase metal mesh filters that fit into an Aeropress but this would technically make the coffee unfiltered.
The Pros and Cons of Filtered Paper vs Unfiltered Metal
We will explore the difference between using a paper filter and a metal filter in your Aeropress so you can decide which filtering method is best for you.
Taste
|
Paper filter |
Metal filter |
|
Catches the oils, aromas, and substances in the coffee grounds onto the paper. Produces a milder taste which is lighter, smoother, floral and fruity. |
Coffee grounds have direct contact with water to extract flavors, oils and aromas before being separated by mesh. Procures a heavy, robust, bodied taste. |
Sediment
|
Paper filter |
Metal filter |
|
Catches all grounds so suitable for use with fine coffee grounds, leaving no sediment and creating a smooth coffee. |
Only works well with coarse grounds. Fine grounds can get through the mesh into the water and produce sediment. |
Health
|
Paper filter |
Metal filter |
|
Prevents substances such as cafestol, kahweol, excess oil and caffeine from getting into the coffee by catching it on the paper. These substances can raise cholesterol and cause other health issues. |
Substances such as cafestol, kahweol, oil and caffeine are saturated directly into the water and are not filtered out. This coffee is more likely to raise cholesterol or cause caffeine-related health issues. |
Sustainability
|
Paper filter |
Metal filter |
|
Disposable so not eco-friendly. Aeropress paper filters are biodegradable and compostable. |
Reusable and environmentally friendly. Last for years and do not cause waste. |
Convenience
|
Paper filter |
Metal filter |
|
Convenient as there is no clean-up. Dispose into the garbage or compost pile with the grounds. |
Not as convenient, must be cleaned and dried thoroughly between each use to remove loose grounds and oil residue. |
Cost
|
Paper filter |
Metal filter |
|
Cheaper at first, but continual purchasing leads to more expense in the long term. |
More expensive at first, but a single purchase leads to a cheaper option in the long term. |
Which Filter Is Best for Aeropress?
Using a paper or a metal filter depends entirely on whether you prefer coffee filtered or unfiltered, which roast and grind size you use. It is recommended to use a dark roast with Aeropress, as the grounds are only in contact with water for a short time it has bolder flavors to extract.
Finer grounds are also best for this reason as the smaller they are the more flavor can be extracted during this time. A paper filter is recommended for use with finer grounds to prevent sediment.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Filtered Coffee?
Pros:
- By filtering out harmful substances such as cafestol and kahweol it limits the risk of high cholesterol. By reducing the amount of caffeine in coffee it also limits any adverse effects by high caffeine intake.
- It is convenient to clean up and dispose of after use.
- It creates a smoother cup of coffee with no sediment, less oil, and less bitterness.
Cons:
- It has a weaker taste than unfiltered coffee as less aromas and flavors have been extracted.
- Continually buying coffee filters adds up over time.
- Disposable filters are not good for the environment, though Aeropress filters can be biodegraded and composted.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Unfiltered Coffee?
Pros:
- Unfiltered coffee methods such as French press are known for their rich, distinct and full-bodied flavors and are what make them such a popular choice.
- Reusable metal filters are the most sustainable option, lasting for years.
- Purchasing one filter is cost-effective in the long term.
Cons:
- By extracting all of the harmful substances from the coffee such as cafestol and kahweol this coffee is more likely to raise cholesterol.
- More clean-up is required to properly clear all grounds out of the filter between uses.
- Only coarse grounds can be used without getting through the filter and any fine grounds will cause sediment.
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. 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.
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.
