An array of factors determines the flavor of coffee that you create. One often-overlooked yet crucial element is filter selection – from material type and shape/size considerations, filters can drastically change its taste.

Metal filters are made of stainless steel or gold-tone mesh that captures coffee grounds while still allowing liquid through. While they offer an alternative to paper filters, some even claim they produce cleaner brews with more flavor; they may prove difficult to clean thoroughly, leaving behind sediment that adds an unpleasant metallic taste and may allow too much of your coffee oil through, potentially turning your beverage bitter and sour.

Paper filters are typically made of either natural brown or bleached white paper. Natural brown filters contain more woody, papery flavor and aroma than bleached ones; bleached ones often use chlorine bleaching, which can alter your coffee’s flavor significantly; however if buying white filters make sure it has been bleached using sodium percarbonate bleaching; this option will be healthier while not altering its taste either.

No matter the paper type you choose, it’s crucial that your filter be pre-wetted prior to use in order to prevent fibers from leaching into your brew. When it comes to unbleached filters in particular, pre-wetting becomes even more critical; their papery flavor and aroma can be quite intense.

Cloth filters are made of cotton, hemp, linen or nylon and come in an assortment of shapes and sizes to meet varying brew times and filter types. Reusable up to 100 times before any micro-grounds and oils begin interfering with flavor of coffee brewed. Cloth filters tend to capture more coffee oil than metal or paper filters for fuller mouthfeel in each cup while their textured nature means they leave less residue than their counterparts.

Some manufacturers make speciality filters out of abaca fibers from banana plants that have long been used to create textiles and extra-durable bank notes. Abaca filters can typically last 30 or more uses before becoming unusable due to clogs compromising flavor.