Esspreso Filter Paper FAQ
Espresso Filter Papers
What is espresso filter paper?
Espresso filter papers are small, circular pieces of porous paper (coffee filter paper) placed in the espresso portafilter basket, under the puck of coffee grinds, before brewing the espresso. They provide extra filtration and enhance the flow of water as the espresso filters through the paper. Filtered espresso is considered to have improved taste and reduced variability between espresso "shots'.
How do espresso filter papers work?
There are two main effects on espresso paper causes when placed between the puck and the floor of the portafilter basket, both leading to improved extraction of espresso from the ground coffee, which improves the taste. Firstly, at the base of the espresso puck filter paper acts as a barrier between the ground coffee and the portafilter basket holes, preventing small or "fine" grinds from travelling to the holes with the liquid coffee and blocking or partially blocking the holes, or flowing out of the basket and into the cup. Secondly, espresso paper reduces the flow resistance between the bottom of the puck and the base of the basket, which increases the flow of liquid coffee through the puck, particularly at the outer edge, leading to more even extraction across the puck and an improved taste.
How do you use paper filters for espresso?
Insert a paper filter into the portafilter basket, ensuring it fits snugly at the base without touching the basket walls. You can pre-wet the filter or add it dry. After adding and tamping your coffee grounds, proceed to brew as usual. To enhance espresso taste, consider adjusting your coffee recipe. A second filter can be placed on top of the grounds; wetting the top filter is optional but can be done with a quick spray.
Do you need paper filters for espresso?
No, but using paper for espresso as a coffee filter can improve the taste and reduce the variability of espresso, without the need to spend thousands on pro-grade equipment. It wasn't until the 1990s that people in the coffee community began investigating using paper filters for espresso, more than 100 years after the first patent for an espresso machine was awarded (to Angelo Moriondo in Turin). As more and more people have gained access to espresso, first in espresso cafes as they exploded in popularity around the world, then at home as machines became smaller and more affordable, the science, knowledge and expertise around making espresso has leaped forward and many innovations have been introduced over the years. Using a coffee filter for espresso machine brewing is one such innovation, backed by evidence from scientific experimentation as well as more subjective 'taste tests' by experts. Today espresso coffee filters have support from famous baristas such as James Hoffman, Scott Rao and Lance Hedrick.
What's the difference between espresso filter paper and coffee filter paper?
The difference is the size and shape of the filter, while the actual paper that is used is identical for both. Coffee filter paper sizes and shapes are determined by style of brewing that they will be used for. Espresso filter papers are always circular, and their size is determined by the size of the portafilter basket they will be used in. For example, an espresso filter paper for a 58mm portafilter would be a circular 58mm piece of coffee filter paper.
Why should I choose Esspero filters?
We have taken care to produce the best espresso filter papers that we could. We are a UK company and our espresso filter papers are made in the UK – they haven't been shipped half way around the world before they get to you. We only work with suppliers who care about their environmental impact, so our paper is from sustainable forestry operations. We sourced premium coffee filter paper with the strictest quality and safety controls and all of our processing is certified food-safe.
What are the benefits of using paper filters for espresso?
Paper filters enhance the flow of liquid through the coffee puck and the portafilter basket, and they prevent fine grinds of coffee flowing into the cup along with the liquid coffee. Both of these effects can, together with the correct brew recipe, lead to improved taste and reduced shot-to-shot variability.
What other names does espresso filter paper have and why?
Espresso filter paper is sometimes known by the following names: portafilter paper, because the paper goes into the espresso machine portafilter; puck paper, because the paper is inserted under the coffee puck in the portafilter basket; porta paper as an abbreviation of portafilter paper; espresso basket filter, because the paper goes into the portafilter basket; espresso strainer, because it works in the same way that a tea strainer works for coffee; expresso filter and expresso paper use the anglicised version of the borrowed Italian word espresso; and finally espressofilter, because some people are too lazy to type it all out! (See more discussion of expresso vs espresso here.)
What's the difference between a portafilter and portafilter paper?
A portafilter is the receptacle for holding the metal basket which contains the coffee grinds in for brewing coffee with an espresso machine. Portafilter paper is a paper filter at the bottom of the portafilter basket. The holes in the base of the portafilter basket work as a metal filter, and the portafilter paper adds a paper filter for improved water flow inside the espresso basket.
Are espresso filter papers worth it?
For espresso enthusiasts seeking the best possible flavour and experience, espresso filter papers are absolutely worth it. The relatively low cost of the papers is outweighed by the improvements to taste, consistency, and reduction in channeling or uneven extractions. Papers also reduce the maintenance needs of home espresso machines. With noticeable benefits and few drawbacks, filter papers are a great way to improve your home espresso.
Making Espresso
Is espresso unfiltered coffee, or is espresso filtered?
If you use an espresso paper filter, you could consider espresso to be filtered coffee. In general, however, filtered coffee usually refers to a range of coffee preparation methods which use paper filters inside a funnel to hold the coffee grinds while hot water passes through the funnel. The other primary difference between filtered coffee vs espresso is that filtered coffee uses gravity to pull the water through the ground coffee, whereas espresso machines use a pump to force the water through the coffee puck at elevated pressure. (An exception to this rule would be coffee made by French press or cafetière, which could also be considered filtered coffee, but the coffee grinds are immersed in the water prior to being separated using a metal filter on the end of a piston.)
Do you need filters for an espresso machine?
Traditionally, an espresso machine filters coffee through the holes in the metal base of the portafilter basket, but these holes can be blocked or partially blocked by fine grinds of coffee flowing through the coffee puck together with the liquid, and some of these "fines" can even flow through the holes into the cup. Enhancing the espresso machine with a paper filter can stop these processes from happening and can lead to improved flavours and reduced variability between cups. Do espresso machines need filters? No, but it helps make more delicious coffee, more repeatably.
What are the main espresso channeling causes?
Channeling can be a difficult issue to resolve when making espresso. The first main cause of channeling in espresso is sub-optimal puck preparation, followed by a grind that is too coarse. However, fixing your puck prep and grinding finer can help you reduce channeling in espresso brewing, but it doesn't guarantee that you will never experience it, as small variations in the way the water flows through the puck can cause a cascading effect and lead to channeling.
How do I use espresso filter papers?
Insert a paper filter into the portafilter basket, ensuring it fits snugly at the base without touching the basket walls. You can pre-wet the filter or add it dry. After adding and tamping your coffee grounds, proceed to brew as usual. To enhance espresso taste, consider adjusting your coffee recipe. A second filter can be placed on top of the grounds; wetting the top filter is optional but can be done with a quick spray.
Product Details
Do you sell packs with more or less than 100 filters?
We currently only offer packs of 100 filters.
Are your papers safe to use?
Yes. Our paper production meets EU and US food safety standards and all production steps are in certified food-safe environments. The filters are sealed in a protective film before they are shipped to our warehouse.
How do I store espresso filter papers?
Store unused filters in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and sources of heat or moisture. Keep separate from food preparation areas which could lead to accidentally cross-contamination.
What is the shelf life of your espresso filter papers?
If stored in a dry environment at normal room temperatures, our filter papers will retain capabilities for at least 2 years from production date.
Espresso Puck Screen Papers
What's the difference between filter paper and puck screen paper for espresso?
Espresso filter paper is inserted below the puck of coffee grinds in the portafilter basket, while puck screen paper is placed on top of the puck after tamping. An espresso puck screen is anything that is placed between the coffee puck and the shower screen on group head of the espresso machine. The purpose of a puck screen for espresso brewing is to distribute the water more evenly across the espresso puck and to keep the shower screen cleaner by preventing coffee grinds from sticking to it during brewing.
How do you use an espresso puck screen or puck screen paper?
Place the metal puck screen or paper puck screen on top of the puck after the tamping step of puck preparation and proceed with espresso brewing. The puck screen may be pre-wetted and/or pre-warmed, and it is also possible to wet the puck screen with a spray of water after it has been placed on the puck. When initially using a puck screen, it is always advisable to dial in the brewing recipe again – this is true for using a puck screen or paper filter.
Sustainability and Health
Are your papers biodegradable?
Yes, unlike some coffee filter paper used for other brewing styles which can include non-biodegradable fibres, ours are 100% paper and will biodegrade naturally.
Are your papers made sustainably?
Yes, our filters are made from paper sourced from FSC and PEFC certified sustainable forests. Our paper manufacturing process is eco-friendly with no environmental pollutants and uses renewable energy. The comes from Europe and the filters are made in the UK, so our carbon footprint from shipping is minimised.
Do filter papers contribute to sustainable espresso?
Filter can papers play a role in brewing more sustainable espresso, if they are sourced and manufactured in the right way. We know that the environmental impact of each coffee we consume is already high, so we have a commitment to minimising the environmental impact. Our filter papers are not only biodegradable but also locally made, from paper pulp that is produced using renewable energy sources. Our paper manufacturing sources wood from forests certified by FSC and PEFC, ensuring responsible forestry practices. To further reduce our carbon footprint we invest in carbon credits to offset the emissions from our operations and delivery. Moreover, by ensuring a consistently delicious cup of coffee, our espresso filter papers can help reduce the likelihood of waste generated from unsatisfactory brews, with potential carbon footprint savings that outweigh the lifecycle impact of an espresso filter paper.
What is the relationship between cholesterol and coffee?
The relationship between cholesterol and coffee revolves around compounds found in coffee called diterpenes, the most notable of which are cafestol and kahweol. These compounds can influence cholesterol levels in the body. Research indicates that unfiltered coffee, such as espresso, contains higher levels of cafestol and kahweol compared to filtered coffee. These substances have been shown to elevate cholesterol levels by enhancing the body's production of LDL, often referred to as "bad" cholesterol. Using a paper filter for brewing coffee can significantly reduce the amount of cafestol and kahweol that ends up in the final cup. Paper filters trap these compounds, preventing them from being ingested. So, while cafestol in espresso and other unfiltered coffee can contribute to higher cholesterol levels, coffee made with paper filters can mitigate this effect, potentially making it a healthier option for those concerned about their cholesterol levels. Always consult a medical professional if you have concerns about your health or diet. Please note that we are expressly not making any claims about the health benefits of our particular filter papers, as we have no evidence about their impact on blood cholesterol or any other aspect of your health. We have a more thorough discussion of this on our page Why Filter Espresso?. Always consult a medical professional if you have any concerns about your health or diet.
Baskets and Compatibility
What are the different espresso basket types?
Espresso baskets come in various different types, by size, shape and dosage. The most common sizes are 58mm, 54mm and 51mm, referring to the internal diameter of the basket at the top of the opening. Every espresso machine is designed with a specific basket size, so if you know the brand and model of your own machine, it is straightforward to obtain the size. The shape of the basket can change between three main options: straight-walled, tapered, and single shot, each with a different profile. Straight-walled baskets use a straight profile for the sidewalls of the basket, close to vertically aligned, although in practice for the majority of these baskets there is very small but constant inward sloping angle to the walls, which helps with manufacturing and also the structural integrity of the finished basket. Tapered baskets have a pronounced inward angle that starts about half-way down the sidewall of the basket. The top section is straight to allow for a tamper to descend to compress the coffee grinds into a puck, while the inward sloping bottom section is intended to reduce under-extracted coffee grinds at the lower outer edge of the coffee puck, which may be a problem with straight-walled baskets (although this is not the case if you use a straight-walled basked in combination with an espresso filter paper). The third option is the single shot basket, which also has two sections to the profile: a straight top section and a lower section that tapers in significantly, sometimes with a curved profile, to reduce the volume of the basket and enable a coffee dose of 7-8g or below.
To vary the dosage, which is the weight of coffee grinds in the puck, baskets can be designed and manufactured either shallower or deeper, corresponding to the height of the basket if you place it on a flat surface. Dosage below 8g is usually achieved with a shallow basket and the single shot profile. Larger doses are considered "double" or even "triple" shots and are achieved using deeper baskets with the straight-walled or tapered profiles.
Most basket designs also include rounding to smooth the internal angle at the base of sidewall, known as filleting.
Which sizes of portafilter do your filters work with?
Our filters are designed to work with any espresso machine that has a 51mm or 58mm portafilter basket. They also have been shown to work with 49mm straight walled baskets. The 58mm filters work with two types of basket: straight-walled and tapered. We also sell an espresso puck screen 58mm paper, which is designed to fit on top of the coffee puck for 58mm portafilter baskets.
Which brands of portafilter basket do your filters work with?
Our filter papers are designed to work with any filter basket. The main specialist brands are IMS and VST, although there are others. For baskets made by IMS and VST our filter papers have been measured and are known to fit well. The stock baskets that come with espresso machines are sometimes made by the machine manufacturer and sometimes are rebranded baskets made elsewhere, nevertheless they tend to have very similar dimensions to the specialist baskets by IMS, VST or other brands.
Which brands of espresso machine do your filters work with?
Examples of brands and espresso machines which would use 58mm filters are Gaggia Classic and Gaggia Classic Pro, Rancilio Silvia series, Rocket Espresso (e.g. Apartamento), Profitec Pro series, Profitec Go, Lelit (e.g. Victoria, Bianca, MaraX), ECM (e.g. Mechanika, Synchronika, Classika), La Marzocco (e.g. Linea Mini, Linea Micro), Nuova Simonelli (e.g. Oscar), Decent (e.g. DE1 series) and many more. Any machine with an E61 group head will also have a 58mm portafilter and would use our 58mm filter paper and our 58mm puck screen paper.
Examples of machines which would use 51mm filter paper are De'Longhi Dedica, De'Longhi Specialista, Dualit Espressivo, Bodum Granos, Breville/Sage 800 series, Cuisinart EM-100 and Cuisinart EM-200, as well as recent lever models La Pavoni Europiccola and La Pavoni Stradivari.
We have some customers who have had great results with our papers in the 49mm filter baskets of the pre-millennium La Pavoni lever machine as well as some customers with the Cafelat Robot lever espresso machine who use our paper filters in the special baskets that come with the Robot.
Why And How To Buy
What do famous baristas and coffee influencers have to say about espresso filter papers?
James Hoffman uses paper filters when he makes espresso, as he described in a YouTube video. Authors and coffee educators Scott Rao and Jonathan Gagné have talked at length about the benefits of paper filters when using standard home espresso setups. Lance Hedrick has conducted an experiment investigating the effects, and recommends filter papers for anyone using a standard basket like those produced by IMS, VST, or stock baskets shipped together with new espresso machines.
Wondering where to buy paper filters for espresso machines?
Ordering espresso filter paper couldn't be simpler. Just head over to our product pages by clicking the "Buy" button, or by using the site navigation at the top of the page. Paper filters for your espresso machine will be delivered to your door in no time!
Is next day delivery available?
We do offer next day delivery, however standard order processing times apply before we can ship our products. If you are really in a hurry, drop us a note and we will do our best to expedite your order.
Do you ship internationally?
We currently only ship to addresses within the UK. Contact us if you need international shipping