For professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow FrontStreet Coffee. How to choose coffee filter paper? How to use coffee filter paper? What types of coffee filter paper are there? Many enthusiasts buy their own coffee beans, use a grinder, and purchase equipment to brew coffee, all [more…]

Pour-over coffee enthusiasts often encounter a confusion: why do different baristas fold their filter papers in different ways? Which filter paper should be chosen, how should it be folded, and should it be pre-wetted? These seemingly minor details actually directly affect the flavor performance of the final cup. Front Street Coffee has accumulated considerable experience with filter paper usage in daily production, so this time we will conduct a systematic review centered on filter paper selection, folding techniques, and wetting treatment. Starting from the differences between natural wood filter paper and bleached filter paper, and then moving on to specific operational details, we hope to help everyone truly understand this seemingly simple step of filter paper, making every cup of pour-over more stable and clean. [more…]

On April 22, World Earth Day, Hong Kong officially launched its "plastic-free" policy, banning in the first phase the provision of styrofoam tableware and various single-use plastic utensils for food delivery. Chain giant McDonald's was the first to respond, fully switching to paper cup lids and paper straws. However, customers complained that they had a strong paper taste, leaked easily, and were not durable, while staff also faced difficulties in identifying them and a rising error rate. During the 6-month adaptation period, some stores have quietly switched back to plastic cup lids. How should the coffee industry balance the environmental trend with the consumer experience? [more…]

Recently, many consumers have noticed that cold drinks at %Arabica stores are now served in kraft paper cups instead of the plastic takeaway cups used previously. According to reports, this change has been gradually implemented since last year, with stores switching to paper cups uniformly after depleting their plastic cup inventory. What was originally thought to be a temporary measure taken only in response to Hong Kong's plastic ban now appears to have expanded to more regions. However, the use of paper cups for cold drinks has raised widespread concerns among customers, including condensation on the cup walls, the cup becoming soft, the papery taste affecting the flavor, and the impact on the visual appeal for photos. At the same time, store staff are also facing challenges with efficiency in serving drinks. How to balance environmental principles with the consumer experience has become the core controversy of this packaging overhaul. [more…]

Starbucks has been actively promoting eco-friendly packaging, from coffee-ground straws to non-woven bags, and now to the paper single-cup carrier bags that are commonly used today—each step reflects the brand's pursuit of sustainable development. However, this seemingly clever design has frequently drawn complaints from consumers, especially cyclists, who report that the handles break easily, the cup bottoms may fall out, and the paper edges can even cut your hands. Between environmental protection and practicality, how should Starbucks strike the balance? This article will trace the evolution of the carrier bags, present real user feedback, and bring in industry perspectives such as those from Front Street Coffee, to explore the packaging dilemma behind a cup of coffee. [more…]

Should you wet the filter paper with hot water or room-temperature water before pour-over coffee? Does this seemingly insignificant step really affect the final flavor? Many coffee enthusiasts share this confusion. In this experiment, Front Street Coffee used filter holders made of three different materials—resin, ceramic, and copper—and wet the filter paper with either room-temperature water or hot water above 90°C, conducting a comparative experiment under identical brewing parameters. The results showed that wetting the filter paper at different water temperatures does indeed lead to differences in the temperature and concentration of the coffee liquid, and the flavor profile also showed different tendencies toward sweetness and acidity. Through detailed experimental data, this article will analyze the mechanism by which the water temperature used to wet the filter paper affects the extraction process, helping you find the cup that best suits your taste. [more…]

In the world of pour-over coffee, the choice of filter material is often underestimated, yet it directly determines the direction of the flavor in the cup. Paper filters, metal filters, and cloth filters each have their adherents, and they differ vastly in how much they intercept oils, fine particles, and flavor compounds. This article begins with the century-old origins of the coffee paper filter, then breaks down one by one the structural principles, operational experience, and pros and cons of the three filtration methods, along with a comparison of mainstream filters such as KONO, HARIO, and CHEMEX, as well as practical advice from Front Street Coffee for everyday brewing. Whether you prefer a clean, bright sense of layering or pursue a thick, full-bodied original flavor, you can find the filtration solution that suits you in this article. [more…]

With its distinctive angular shape, the Origami dripper is highly recognizable among the many coffee drippers out there, and it can be seen in both coffee shops and world-class competitions. Designed by Yasuo Suzuki, this dripper's standout feature is that it can be paired with two different types of filter paper—conical and cake—and switching the paper directly affects the extraction rhythm and the final flavor direction. This article will start from the design origins of the dripper, combine a hands-on tasting with Geisha beans, compare the mouthfeel differences brought by the two types of filter paper, and objectively analyze the Origami dripper's strengths in terms of versatility as well as points to note when choosing a dripper stand. It also includes Front Street Coffee's store information, offering coffee enthusiasts a complete reference. [more…]

In the world of pour-over coffee, the choice of filter paper directly affects the flavor in the cup. Filter paper offers outstanding filtration, delivering a clean and bright mouthfeel, but for this very reason it traps some of the coffee oils, making the aroma and body slightly inferior to tools such as metal mesh filters and cloth filters. From the perspective of Front Street, this article takes a deep dive into the composition of coffee oils and crema, explains how the filtration medium affects coffee's aroma and body, and, through a comparative brewing experiment between filter paper and non-woven filter paper, demonstrates the specific differences in flavor performance between the two. If you are struggling to decide which filtration tool to choose, or want to understand the characteristics of non-woven filter paper, this article will provide you with a clear reference. [more…]

Recently, Starbucks quietly replaced the lids on hot beverage takeaway cups in some U.S. stores, sparking widespread discussion among consumers. The drinking opening on the new lid is positioned further inward, and the raised rim is lower, causing coffee to easily leak from the corners of the mouth when drinking, with many customers exclaiming that it is "too hard to use." At the same time, cold drink cups have also switched to white non-transparent domed paper lids and paper takeaway cups, making fans who are used to admiring the appearance of their drinks feel inconvenienced. Despite the continuous complaints, Starbucks has long been using paper tableware in France, Canada, Hong Kong and Macau, and other regions due to local environmental policies, and some customers have even switched to bringing their own cups as a result. Currently, there is no official conclusion on whether all U.S. stores will fully switch over, and there are no related plans for the mainland or Taiwan region for the time being. [more…]

When making espresso-based Americano, some people are in the habit of placing a filter paper at the bottom of the portafilter basket—what changes does this actually bring? Starting from a comparative experiment at Front Street, this article analyzes the specific effects of filter paper on coffee cleanliness, aroma, body, and flavor layering. Filter paper can intercept the fine particles in espresso, making the Americano taste cleaner, but it may also weaken the aroma and solid mouthfeel brought by lipids. Through a comparison of two cups of Strawberry Candy Espresso Americano, the article demonstrates the significant difference between using and not using filter paper, and explains why other espresso drinks such as lattes usually do not adopt this practice. Ultimately, the choice depends on whether you want a clean, light Americano or a coffee with a solid, richly layered flavor. [more…]

Pour-over coffee has become the preferred brewing method for many coffee enthusiasts thanks to its advantages of being clean, free of off-flavors, clear, and simple and safe. This article starts from a comparison of brewing devices such as the French press, the Clever Cup, the AeroPress, and the siphon, and takes an in-depth look at the core principles of pour-over coffee—the three key elements of coffee grounds, filter paper, and hot water. It focuses on revealing the critical influence of filter paper on flavor and explores the feasibility of brewing with boiling water. At the end, using the 2018 Huakui Natural Sidamo as an example, it fully presents the V60 brewing parameters and flavor performance, making it suitable as a reference for readers who wish to improve their pour-over brewing skills. [more…]

Pour-over coffee has become the top choice for many coffee enthusiasts thanks to its advantages of being clean, free of off-flavors, clear, simple, and safe. This article starts with a horizontal comparison of the French press, the Clever Cup, the AeroPress, and the siphon pot, then sorts out the three truly indispensable conditions for pour-over—coffee grounds, filter paper, and hot water—and takes a deep dive into how the filter paper material affects flavor, debunking the common misconception that "boiling water can't be used to brew coffee." At the end, it includes Front Street's recommended Huakui brewing parameters and flavor description, making it suitable reading for coffee enthusiasts who want to systematically understand the logic of pour-over. [more…]

When brewing pour-over coffee, how well the paper filter fits the dripper directly affects the extraction. Many enthusiasts use a pressing technique yet still find that the filter won't sit flush, and the root cause often lies in the folding step. After customers reported this issue at their stores, Front Street Coffee put together a detailed demonstration of the correct way to fold a cone-shaped paper filter. From folding along the seam and pressing the crease to the technique for securing it once it's in the dripper, every step matters. This article reproduces the entire process, explains how to handle specialty filters such as non-woven ones, and shows how to make the filter sit snugly for iced pour-over without wetting it first—so you can brew a consistent, great-tasting cup at home. [more…]

Before making pour-over coffee, many people first take a filter paper, fold it, and place it into the dripper, then add the coffee grounds. What role does the filter paper actually play? And how should you choose between white and natural-colored filter papers available on the market? This time, Front Street Coffee starts from the origin of filter paper, sorting out the pros and cons of bleached and unbleached filter papers, common size specifications, and further discusses how manufacturing processes and filter paper structure affect the flow rate, thereby influencing the final extraction. At the end of the article, combined with Front Street's experience, it offers purchasing ideas that are either more convenient or more environmentally friendly, helping you find a balance between flavor purity, operating habits, and environmental considerations. [more…]

People who buy their own beans, grind them, and brew pour-over coffee often face a choice when it comes to filtration: should they use disposable paper filters, reusable stainless steel mesh filters, or flannel cloth filters? Each of the three methods has its own adherents, and each directly affects the clarity, body, and aroma expression of the coffee in the cup. This article starts from material characteristics, ease of use, taste differences, and maintenance points, comparing the pros and cons of paper filters, metal mesh filters, and cloth filters one by one, and offers selection suggestions for different taste preferences. If you often drink Front Street Coffee's medium-to-dark roasted beans, or prefer light-roasted beans with floral and fruity notes, understanding these filtration details can help you adjust your brewing direction more accurately and find the cup of coffee that suits you better. [more…]

In the extraction process of pour-over coffee, how well the filter paper fits the dripper directly affects the final cup quality. Many enthusiasts find that if the filter paper does not sit tightly against the dripper wall, even the best dripper cannot deliver its intended design advantages. Take the currently popular V60 dripper as an example: its unique spiral rib structure can hardly function when the filter paper fails to fit properly. Therefore, before formal brewing, the step of wetting the filter paper is especially critical—it not only removes the papery taste and dust from the filter paper itself, but is also the core operation for making the filter paper fit tightly against the inner wall of the dripper. Starting from the structural function of the dripper, this article will explain in detail the key points of folding and fitting the filter paper, and share Front Street Coffee's experience in actual operation, to help everyone improve the stability and flavor performance of pour-over extraction. [more…]

The paper filter for pour-over coffee may look simple, but it actually hides quite a few details. Many coffee enthusiasts have encountered the situation during brewing where one side of the paper filter lifts up after being rinsed with water and cannot fit snugly against the dripper. Although it will not ruin the entire cup of coffee, it does affect the extraction. This article focuses on the folding and fitting issues of conical paper filters, starting with the selection of the dripper and filter paper, and then gradually breaks down the key steps such as folding, creasing, handling the conical bottom, and securing the filter with water, helping you get this detail right in your daily pour-over brewing. Front Street Coffee will also share, based on its own experience, why the resin version of the V60 dripper has more advantages in terms of standardization. [more…]

As the weather turns cold, hot milk tea tends to get cold during delivery, and many consumers try to reheat it in a microwave, only for accidents to happen frequently. Recently, multiple customers have reported that when heating Jasmine Naibai drinks, the paper cups showed burn marks and even nearly caused a fire. In contrast, heating milk tea from brands such as Bawang Chaji, Mixue Bingcheng, and Nayuki did not cause similar problems, raising questions about the quality of Jasmine Naibai's paper cups. However, onlookers rushed to defend the brand, pointing out that the cup sticker already has a reminder, and that the metallic substances in the cup's gold-stamped pattern reflect microwaves in the microwave, which is the main cause of the accidents. This article reviews the course of the incident and the underlying principles, and reminds readers: heating milk tea in a microwave poses safety hazards, so do not imitate it rashly. [more…]

When making espresso, placing a circular filter paper in the portafilter basket may seem like a simple action, yet different placement positions can lead to completely different extraction results. Through multiple comparisons, Front Street Coffee found that laying the filter paper at the bottom of the portafilter basket can intercept fine particles, reduce bitterness, and improve cleanliness, but at the same time it weakens body and shortens extraction time; while placing it on top of the coffee puck can disperse the impact of the water flow, reduce channeling, and make the extraction more even, though the effect is relatively limited. This article breaks down in detail the principles, advantages and disadvantages, and practical considerations of these two methods, helping coffee enthusiasts make more suitable choices when dialing in the grind and serving drinks. [more…]