If you don’t have a coffee machine but still want to enjoy some high-quality hot drinks, fear not, as we stock some of the most delicious filter coffee anywhere in South Africa. In this brief guide, we will touch on the reasons why many people feel that filter-style coffee is the way to go, as well as provide a few tips and tricks around ideal brewing practices. As we usually do, we will delve into a few of the tasty offerings from our online store and make some recommendations along the way.
The great thing about coffee is that there is no ‘right’ way to do it, it all comes down to personal preference and taste. At Coffee Capsules Direct, we pride ourselves on presenting an impressive selection of Nespresso-compatible capsules, filter coffees, and many other related products. If you are looking for the ideal one-stop shop for all your coffee needs, you would be hard-pressed to find a better option than us. If you are interested in finding out more, we encourage you to read on.
The Upside Of Using Filter Coffee
Let’s get into some of the many upsides of opting for filter brews and explore what this particular style of coffee has to offer. Filter brews are well-known for producing an especially polished and pronounced combination of flavours. The filters, which are generally made from metal or paper, remove most of the oils and sediments from the flavour profile, ultimately leaving you with an exciting and smooth drink that should be the perfect way to start your day.
Regardless of the brewing method you prefer, one of the major benefits of choosing filter coffee is that it really brings out the natural flavours of the beans themselves – leaving you with an excellent reflection of the origin of the coffee. Of course, you can still pick up these slight nuances with capsules or ground coffee, but it is easily the most obvious with filtered brews. For similar reasons, the slow brewing process allows the aromas to come out in full force, which makes a world of difference to your overall experience and enjoyment.
Beyond the excellent flavour profile and delectable scents these brews can offer, there are also a few practical reasons why people prefer filter brews over other types of coffee. Firstly, it is substantially more accessible and far simpler to prepare than most of the espresso-style drinks. This is the case because it requires a lot less equipment and preparation, making it easier for individuals to enjoy high-quality, specialty brews from the comfort of their homes.
The other upside of this is that you don’t need to purchase a coffee machine or other expensive brewing equipment, which makes filter coffee a more cost-effective option for many people. On top of this, this style of coffee allows for the creation of multiple cups at once, which means you could prepare enough coffee for the entire household in only a matter of minutes.
So, for those of you who are starting your coffee journeys, enjoy convenience, or perhaps simply prefer more aromatic, clean flavours, filter brews are certainly the way to go!
A Few Great Options From Our Online Store
Now that we have had a look at what makes filter coffee so appealing, as well as examining some of the most popular brewing methods, let’s get into a few filter coffee suggestions we have on offer.
Importers Blue Mountain Filter Coffee – 250g
Importers Global Coffee is well-known for their intense, complex flavours and distinct aromatic profiles, and the Importers Blue Mountain is an exceptional addition to their selection. It is described as being a medium-bodied blend that is rich, creamy, and offers noticeable hints of red and ripe black berries. With a strength rating of 3 out of 5, this artisan Arabica coffee blend is certainly strong enough to get you up in the morning, while also being surprisingly understated. All while being one of the more affordable options on the market.
Uber Filter Coffee – Premium Filter Blend – 1kg
If you are a fan of traditional Italian coffee, this Uber Premium Filter Blend should be right up your alley. Created with a combination of freshly roasted beans from Central and South America and Africa, the flavours come together to create a smooth drinking experience with a light acidity. With hints of dark chocolate and nuts, this coffee brings a lot to the table and the tastes are interesting to unpack. To top it all off, for a larger 1kg bag of grounds, you are looking at only R350, which is a steal for coffee of this quality.
Terbodore ‘This Is Africa’ Filter Coffee – 250g
Terbodore is known for their innovation, and they constantly push the boundaries with new and exciting ideas. This delectable blend is made up of 100% Arabica beans sourced exclusively from Ethiopia and Uganda, hence the Terbodore ‘This Is Africa’ name. All beans are handpicked, and the flavour is described as being full-bodied, with touches of berry and slight floral undertones. Why not celebrate our beautiful continent with an equally gorgeous cup of coffee?
The Variety Of Brewing Methods And Machines
If you thought there was only one way to create filter coffee, you are a little off the mark. There are many unique brewing styles for you to experiment with, each offering its own set of strengths. Allow us to elaborate on a few of these coffee-making techniques.
Traditional Brewer
This style, and the French press, are the most popular choices for filter coffee lovers, and for good reason. They are exceptionally easy to use and only take a few moments to create a good amount of tasty brew. When using a traditional brewer, remember to accurately measure your beans based on the desired strength and the number of cups you want to make, otherwise, you could end up with a watered-down, weak brew, or it could be so strong that it blows your socks off.
As is the case with any other sort of coffee machine, we recommend that you regularly clean your traditional brewer to ensure that it continues to create delicious filter coffee. If left for too long without adequate cleaning, sediment and oil can begin to build up, which will eventually lead to a sour or bitter-tasting brew.
Additionally, we suggest investing in a machine that distributes boiling water evenly across the grains, as many only pour water directly down the middle, resulting in an uneven brew and a lack of flavour. It is for this reason that it could make sense to purchase a higher-quality traditional machine, to avoid these issues.
Pour Over Method
This technique is probably the most simplistic way of creating filter coffee, however, oftentimes simple is better – many individuals consider this to be the most authentic method of extracting flavour from the ground coffee.
Essentially, the idea is the same as a traditional brewer, except you are manually pouring water over the grounds, which allows for a more even pour and improved distribution. Place a metal filter over your mug and add one of the thin paper filters to ensure that none of the grounds make it into your brew. Then, measure and place the ground coffee into the paper filter and slowly pour over the top.
This method began all the way back in the 1900s in Europe and other parts of the world that were partial to coffee, but it has recently come back into fashion. A part of the reason for this is that it is excellent for accentuating the flavours of single origin coffees, and it adds a somewhat ritual-like element to the coffee-making process, which many people enjoy. Another major positive of this technique is that there is little to no cleanup whatsoever, as all that is needed is to throw the paper filter away. If you have yet to try this brewing method, we highly recommend giving it a shot.
AeroPress
This is certainly one of the lesser-known brewing techniques, but it offers a few noteworthy benefits. One of the most obvious upsides of these devices is that you are able to experiment with the temperature of the water, grind size, agitation, and more, making the AeroPress ideal for those who love to play around with new ideas and tastes.
It was introduced into the coffee market about ten years ago, and it has been making waves ever since. Its compact nature makes it perfect for travelling – for those who are constantly on the move and still want to ensure that they have consistently excellent coffee, it’s tough to compete with the versatility of the AeroPress.
It functions in quite a unique way; allow us to walk you through the process. The concept is like that of a French press, as you immerse the grains for around a minute in order to fully extract the flavour. After that, the combination of the pressure and the plunger pushes the tasty brew through the filters – leaving you with a crisp, full-bodied cup of coffee that is guaranteed to impress. The device is known to complement flavour notes in interesting ways, sometimes making them far more pronounced and noticeable.
French Press
We are sure that most of you have heard of or encountered a French press at some point, as it is one of the more recognisable brewing methods. Off the bat, one of the largest positives that come with these nifty brewing tools is that the grounds are able to sit in hot water for a longer period, allowing the flavours to transfer more efficiently.
Ultimately, this creates a more robust, stronger drink that many people swear by. Another worthwhile consideration is that this is a remarkably accessible brewing technique – all you need is a French press, coffee grounds, hot water, and you are set to go!
To adjust the strength of the brew, simply alter the amount of grounds you are using, and the intensity will change. Another reason that many individuals opt for a French press is that it is the most environmentally friendly way of making coffee. There are no paper filters or capsules that you need to throw away, which brings down the amount of waste you produce when making coffee.
It is worth noting that it makes sense to purchase a higher-quality press because cheaper options tend to allow coffee grounds through the filter – which makes your coffee-drinking experience a lot crunchier and significantly less enjoyable.
About Coffee Capsules Direct
At Coffee Capsules Direct, we don’t like to limit ourselves to one kind of product, and we feel that it is important to provide for coffee lovers of all tastes and preferences. With free shipping on orders over R700 and plenty of specials to sweeten the deal, including our Silly Season holiday sale, as well as straight-to-your-door deliveries – we are the ideal spot to satisfy all of your coffee needs!
