What is unfiltered coffee? Unfiltered coffee is a type of coffee that has not been filtered during the brewing process. This means that the grounds are still in the coffee when it is served.
Unfiltered coffee can be made with a variety of different brewing methods for coffee beans, including French press, percolator, and Moka pot.
There are several benefits to drinking unfiltered coffee. One is that because the grounds are still in the cup, you get more caffeine per serving than you would get from filtered coffee.
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The best coffee for your heart health
There are many ways to enjoy coffee, from fancy pour-overs to whipped emulsions. When it comes to your heart health, cardiologists recommend one method for preparing your coffee.
Researchers looked at the coffee-drinking habits of more than 500,000 Norwegian men and women in a study published by the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. They discovered something very interesting about the effects of coffee preparation on human health. This is especially true if you are deciding whether to drink your coffee filtered or unfiltered.
Unfiltered coffee vs. filtered coffee
First, let’s talk about the differences between the two brew methods. Filtered coffee is coffee grounds that have been through a paper filter during the brewing process. This traps most oils that are released when the beans are steeped in water.
Unfiltered coffee is simply coffee beans that have not been processed through a paper filter. This could mean that the coffee is steeped in water, boiled directly, or passed through a metal filter.
A metal filter will not remove oils as paper filters do.
You can make unfiltered coffee with a French press, Moka pot, percolator, espresso maker, or Aeropress.
Filtered coffee is made with a drip coffee maker, pour-over coffee maker, Chemex, or any other brew method that uses a paper filter for coffee beans.
Cold-brew coffee can either be filtered or unfiltered depending on the type of filter used to strain it.
Benefits of filtered coffee vs. risks of unfiltered coffee
When choosing between filtered and unfiltered coffee, it is best to weigh the health risks of your coffee consumption.
Among the participants of the study, 59% drank filtered coffee, 20% unfiltered coffee, 9% both types of coffee, and 12% percent didn’t drink any coffee at all.
The authors concluded that unfiltered coffee was associated with higher mortality rates than filtered brew and that filtered brew was associated with lower mortality than no coffee intake.
The amount of coffee consumed also made a difference. The lowest mortality among coffee drinkers was found in the reference group that consumed 1 to 4 cups per day of filtered brew, while 9 cups or more per day of unfiltered brew had the highest mortality.
What’s wrong with unfiltered coffee? According to the authors, unfiltered coffee contains high levels of oil compounds called diterpenes (like kahweol and cafestol), which can increase LDL cholesterol levels and heart disease risk.
The good news is that filtered coffee can be made using the most popular brew methods, such as a drip coffee maker, K-cup machine, or pour-over. These cholesterol-raising oils can be removed by using a paper filter.
Keri Gans MS, RD, who is a nutrition expert, confirmed the validity of the study’s findings. She previously stated that unfiltered coffee is associated with higher mortality than filtered coffee.
Andrew Weil, MD, who is an integrative medicine expert, spoke out years ago about the topic. He said that filtered coffee has the lowest amount of cholesterol-raising compounds because most of it is still in the filter.
Dr. Weil says that coffee is safe even if you have high cholesterol. Click To Tweet
However, it might be a good idea to cut back a bit and save unfiltered methods for special occasions, especially if heart health is a major concern.
How to make filtered coffee at home
1. Drip coffee machines
This pot is unique because it has a synchronized temperature and time water heating system that ensures consistent brewing of coffee from start to finish. This helps to bring out the flavors in the coffee. Mocha java tastes richer and fuller and light acidic roasts reach full brightness.
It also prevents the bitter aftertaste that can sometimes result from pots that use cold water at the start and scalding water at its end.
2. Pour-over coffee cones
This vessel is essential for making the perfect cup of coffee. Pour-over coffee cones are designed to be placed on top of your favorite mug with a paper filter insert. Water slowly drips through the filter and three holes at the bottom.
The base has openings that allow the coffee to drip through, brewing a fresh cup.
Conclusion
What is unfiltered coffee? Unfiltered coffee is a type of coffee that has not been brewed with a paper filter. This means that the grounds are still in the coffee when it is served. Even though it contains more caffeine than its filtered counterpart, it increases your risk for heart disease.