The debate over pre-wetting filter papers has me split

I started making pour over coffee about two years ago and always wet the paper filter before brewing. But last month I watched a video from a guy who tested both ways with the same beans and grinder. He claimed the rinsed paper stripped away some oils that actually improve the flavor. So I tried skipping the rinse for a week and honestly the coffee tasted fuller, but I also got a papery aftertaste a few times. Now I'm stuck in the middle - do you rinse your paper filters or just throw them in dry? What's your experience been with the taste difference?

4 comments

4 Comments

simon_carr3d ago

Try wetting it then letting it dry before brewing. Solves both problems.

mark_chen626d ago

Wait, the rinsed paper stripes away oils that improve flavor? Lol that sounds backwards to me, I always thought the rinse was to get rid of the paper taste not the good stuff.

miles_robinson206d ago

Honestly I get why you'd think that but for me rinsing definitely strips out some of the oils that make the coffee taste richer and more rounded. I've done side by side tests with the same beans and the rinsed filter brew always comes off a little cleaner but also kinda hollow compared to the unrinsed one. The paper taste thing is real but I find it fades after the first few pours anyway.

shane_bell6d agoTop Commenter

Man I tried dry filters once and felt like I was licking a cardboard box so I went right back to rinsing. Guess my taste buds are just too picky for the "fuller flavor" crowd.