Filtered, unfiltered vs instant coffee

→ Filtered coffee basics

Before we jump into examples of filtered coffee, let’s briefly cover what filtered coffee really is. Filtered coffee is a type of a coffee beverage that makes use of a paper filter in the brewing process. Therefore, a paper filter is an essential component of filtered coffee.

Coffee contains oils, certain ingredients and particles, which get extracted during the brewing process. A paper filter serves as a net that sifts through those components, and prevents them from entering a coffee beverage.

→ Why should I care about filtered coffee?

A lot of people do not need to worry about the difference between filtered coffee and unfiltered coffee. However, some people may want to consider limiting the consumption of unfiltered coffee for health reasons. For these individuals, therefore, filtered coffee might be a much better and healthier alternative.

Some components of coffee include cafestol and kahweol. In the medical (and chemical) world, they are known as diterpenes, or chemical compounds, which have been shown to increase LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). This was also confirmed by a 2011 study from Singapore and India.

Individuals who would rather avoid cholesterol increasing stimulus may want to consider filtered coffee as a great alternative. Paper filters should prevent most of negative components, such as cafestol and kahweol, from entering the body.

As we have seen with other studies, scientists believe diterpenes also have some positive effects on health.

→ How to brew filtered coffee?

→ Examples of filtered coffee beverages

Filtered coffee might appear a bit weak to those who prefer strong coffee. However, filtered coffee offers the opportunity to brew stronger coffee by extracting more coffee grounds. I personally found filtered coffee to be delicious when mixed with just a bit of milk.

Here are some additional examples of most prominent coffee beverages that are filtered coffee (provided a paper filter is used):

• A traditional cup of joe: a traditional cup of joe we all enjoy in the mornings is the best example of filtered coffee.
• Black coffee
• Coffee con leche (coffee with milk)

But what about my favorite espresso or cappuccino? I love cappuccino and latte. (We covered the best brewing practices for these two beverages earlier this month.) If you are like me, and love cappuccinos, I have some good news! These coffee-based beverages can be the same with filtered coffee. You can have gourmet coffee drinks made with filtered coffee too, especially when you are using single serve machines.

→ Unfiltered coffee basics

Just like we did with filtered coffee above, let’s jump into a brief explanation of what unfiltered coffee is. Unfiltered coffee is a type of a coffee beverage that does not use a paper filter in the brewing process. It can use non-paper types of coffee filters, or not use coffee filters at all.

The most common conviction is that permanent filters or other reusable filters (such as goldtone filters) can brew filtered coffee. This is not true. Non-paper types of coffee filters will yield a cup of unfiltered coffee.

Coffee contains oils, particles and other ingredients and particles. These get extracted during the brewing process. Since unfiltered coffee does not make use of paper filters, there’s nothing to prevent those components from entering a cup of coffee, and, thus, our bodies.

→ Unfiltered coffee and cholesterol: should I care?

Though many people may not need to be concerned about the difference between filtered coffee and unfiltered coffee, some may want to pay attention. Some people may need to limit the consumption of unfiltered coffee for health reasons.

Some coffee components include cafestol and kahweol. In the medical (and chemical) world, they are known as diterpenes, or chemical compounds, which have been shown to increase LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). This was also confirmed by a 2011 study from Singapore and India.

Unfiltered coffee results in a beverage filled with coffee components that can affect the human body in a harmful way. People who suffer from increased cholesterol levels may need to limit the consumption of unfiltered coffee.

Some doctors advise to eliminate unfiltered coffee from diet altogether. Individuals who are concerned with their cholesterol may want to consider filtered coffee. Paper filters should prevent most of negative components, such as cafestol and kahweol, from entering the body.

→ How to brew unfiltered coffee?

→ Examples of unfiltered coffee beverages

Unfiltered coffee can have a much stronger taste and a stronger flavor than filtered coffee. It will also be creamier and a richer consistency. And, needless to say, unfiltered coffee makes the best cappuccinos, lattes, Americanos, and other types of gourmet coffee drinks.

Here are some additional examples of most prominent coffee beverages that are unfiltered coffee:

• Arabic coffee (traditional coffee drank in the Arab countries, that mixes coffee with saffron and other spices)
• Turkish coffee (coffee brewed in a traditional kettle on hot sand)
• Espresso (unless a special type of filtered coffee is used)
• Cappuccino (unless a special type of filtered coffee is used)
• Latte (unless a special type of filtered coffee is used)
• Americano (unless a special type of filtered coffee is used)
• Other espresso-based drinks and gourmet coffee (unless a special type of filtered coffee is used)

→ Instant coffee basics

Many coffee lovers ask whether instant coffee is filtered or unfiltered.

In fact, instant coffee falls in its own category. Instant coffee is a coffee solution that goes through the process of hydration. Coffee crystals begin to appear as soon as water evaporates from the coffee solution.

This being said, everyone who has ever drank a cup of instant coffee knows that the taste and the consistency of this beverage are different from those of normal coffee. After going through different processing stages, coffee comes out to be what we know as instant coffee.

A lot of coffee components and oils are lost on the way. So, in essence, instant coffee is more like filtered coffee.