As summer arrives, the consumption of cold brew, filter coffee and other cold-extracted beverages continues to grow.
Behind these increasingly popular brewing methods—even in Italy—lies an often overlooked but essential element: filter paper.
In recent years, driven by the rise of specialty coffee culture and changing consumer habits, traditional espresso has been joined by new brewing methods such as cold brew, filter coffee and other slow extraction techniques, served chilled or over ice. These beverages are particularly popular during the summer months, both in cafés and for home consumption.
While attention is often focused on the quality of the coffee beans or the brewing method, one component tends to remain in the background: the filter paper.
Every Brewing Method Requires the Right Filter
In filter brewing methods, the quality of the paper has a direct impact on the extraction process, helping to determine the beverage’s clarity, aromatic balance and consistency. The paper’s porosity, basis weight and fibre structure influence the water flow and its ability to retain fine particles, directly affecting flavour extraction and the coffee’s overall sensory profile.
A uniform filtration enhances the coffee’s aromas, resulting in a clean, balanced cup. In the case of cold brew, where extraction can last several hours at room temperature or under refrigeration, these characteristics become even more important, contributing to filtration efficiency and consistent results.
Not All Filter Papers Are the Same
Filter papers designed for drip coffee, pour-over systems, automatic coffee makers and cold brewing applications must deliver consistent performance throughout the extraction process, preventing unwanted flavour transfer while ensuring the proper flow of water.
Choosing the right filter therefore involves much more than selecting the correct shape. Technical characteristics such as paper composition, basis weight, permeability and wet strength all play a key role in brewing performance.
Carte Dozio’s Expertise in Filter Paper
For more than eighty years, Carte Dozio has specialised in the selection and distribution of technical papers for food applications, including a dedicated range of filter papers for coffee brewing systems. The company’s products are designed to meet the specific needs of manufacturers, offering tailored characteristics according to the extraction method, production process and required performance.
The evolution of coffee consumption demonstrates that even a seemingly simple component can make a significant contribution to the quality of the final beverage.
Whether preparing traditional filter coffee, cold brew or other innovative brewing methods, selecting the right filter paper means enhancing every stage of the extraction process and delivering a coffee experience that meets consumers’ highest expectations.
