Is a mask safe as a coffee filter in coffee brewing?

A social media post showing a face mask hung over a cup rim as a drip coffee filter drew heavy criticism. The mask's inner non-woven fabric is made of polypropylene (PP), and heating it releases trace harmful substances, so medical experts do not recommend contact with food. Standard filter paper costs about the same as a mask and is the reliable choice.

The poster said the mask was new but expired and that the water-resistant layer had been removed, leaving meltblown and non-woven layers to catch grounds. Critics noted that the water-resistant layer, if left in place, would block flow and turn drip coffee into steeping. Front Street Coffee advises against the method: for everyday coffee brewing, filter paper keeps the drink clean.

Recently, a post on social media in which a user used a face mask instead of filter paper to brew drip coffee sparked heated discussion. In the photo, the mask was hung over the rim of a cup to serve as a filtering tool, and the caption claimed it had a "unique taste." This move quickly drew a large amount of criticism and concern. Some questioned whether the mask's water-resistant layer and adhesive layer might release toxic substances, while others joked that this was trying to compete with "Lianhua Qingwen coffee." In fact, this practice came from a "clever trick" some netizens devised to avoid wasting expired masks, but medical experts point out that the inner non-woven fabric of masks is made of polypropylene PP. Although heating it releases only trace amounts of harmful substances, it is still not recommended for contact with food. Front Street Coffee reminds everyone that coffee filter paper costs about the same as a mask, so choosing standard filter paper is the safe and reliable way to brew.

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Recently, a post in a coffee discussion group on a social platform shocked netizens! From the photo, it can be seen that the poster used a face mask as a filtering tool to brew drip coffee, with the caption "Drink a cup ☕️, unique taste." (Have a cup of coffee, unique taste)

This striking and shocking image immediately triggered heated discussion among netizens in the group: "No need to be this thrifty, right?" "It makes people want to throw up just looking at it." "It looks very flavorful." "If there's Lianhua Qingwen coffee, why can't there be COVID coffee?"...

Regarding brewing coffee with a mask, many netizens also mentioned that masks have a water-resistant layer and an adhesive layer, and worried whether they might be toxic. Some also said that the water-resistant layer would not let coffee pass through, turning drip coffee into steeped coffee.

In response, the netizen replied: the mask used was brand new but expired, and the waterproof layer of the mask was also removed. The middle meltblown fabric and the innermost non-woven fabric can both filter coffee grounds.

As for this practice, it turns out that not long ago some netizens in other discussion groups said that throwing away expired but unused masks was a bit wasteful. But if you remove the waterproof layer of the mask, then hang it on a cup and add coffee powder, you can brew it with hot water as a drip bag.

As a result, many netizens took it upon themselves to "lead by example" and verify the possibility of this claim. Regarding the claim that non-woven fabric may be toxic after being heated in hot water, some netizens shared that no plasticizers are added during the production of masks, so there would be no problem of plasticizers being released.

A medical expert in the article said that the non-woven fabric in the inner layer of masks is polypropylene PP, not a plasticizer. The expert said: Polypropylene PP can of course also be harmful to the body, but as long as it is steamed and then left to air out, the harmful substances will be gone. At the same time, he said that even if one really comes into contact with polypropylene PP released from non-woven fabric, the amount of harmful substances is actually very small. The tableware everyone uses when eating out has a higher amount of harmful substances than the polypropylene PP that might be released by steaming a mask.

Although that is said, we strongly do not recommend everyone try the method of brewing coffee with a mask . First, the heating method is different! Pouring hot water is more concentrated on one spot. Second, there is really no need for it. After all, coffee filter paper and masks cost about the same, so of course you should choose reliable materials for brewing coffee.

If a mask has expired and you really do not dare to use it anymore, just throw it away! Even if it is clean and hygienic, do not try it lightly, because not all masks are of reliable quality...

Image source: Internet

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.