Choosing the right filter grade is a critical step for any coffee professional—from the specialty roaster making single origin coffees to the café serving hundreds of cups of coffee a day. Filter grade determines flow rate, extraction balance, and clarity, so understanding the differences between them can help you achieve your ideal coffee flavor. As a leading coffee filter manufacturer, Tonchant provides an in-depth look at the most common filter grades and how to choose the right one for your brewing style.

Understanding Basis Weight and Thickness
Filter paper grades are typically defined by basis weight (measured in grams per square meter) and paper thickness. Lightweight filter papers (40-60 grams per square meter) flow faster and produce brighter, more acidic coffees, perfect for light roasts or delicate beans. Heavier filters (70-100 grams per square meter) slow down the brew, promoting fuller extraction and a fuller taste, perfect for dark roasts or batch brews. Tonchant’s production line precisely controls basis weight and thickness, ensuring every filter paper meets the grade specifications that baristas and roasters trust.

Flow rate and extraction control
In addition to basis weight, the porosity and fiber composition of the paper also affect how quickly water moves through the ground coffee. Fast-flowing paper can result in under-extraction and sour flavors if the grind isn’t fine enough. Conversely, low-flow grades of paper can easily result in over-extraction and bitter flavors when used with coarse-grinded coffee. Tonchant tests the air permeability of each filter paper to ensure consistent flow rates for every grade. This rigorous quality control means you can adjust your grind size and brew time with confidence, knowing the paper will perform predictably.

Flavor clarity and sediment retention
Filter paper grade also affects tea clarity. Finer fibers are more tightly woven and are able to capture more fine particles, resulting in a clean tea drink free of sediment. If your customers are looking for bright, tea-like clarity, a higher grade of filter paper (often labeled special or extra fine) is the best choice. For a more textured taste, standard grades of filter paper strike a balance—filtering out most fine particles while retaining a small amount of natural oils. Tonchant offers a range of specialty grades of filter paper, including bamboo blends and banana hemp, designed to accentuate the delicate taste of tea without affecting its flow.

Customize your brewing method
Each brewing method—V60 cone filters, Kalita Wave filter baskets, Chemex round filters, or drip bags—benefit from a specific grade of filter paper. For pour-over coffee, light and medium weight filters work best. Commercial drip machines are often paired with heavy-duty filter baskets to handle larger brew volumes. Whether you’re testing a new filter paper size or scaling up a popular product, Tonchant’s custom service lets you order the exact grade, shape, and packaging you need.

Sustainability and certification
Today’s buyers are also demanding environmentally friendly products. Tonchant uses FSC-certified pulp and offers different grades made from unbleached, chlorine-free fibers. Many of our premium grades are certified compostable and meet FDA, EU and Japanese food contact standards. By choosing certified environmentally friendly grades, you protect both the quality of your beer and the planet.

Make the right choice
To choose the ideal grade of filter paper, first determine the brewing style you want—are you looking for bright acidity, balanced body, or deep complexity? Then, based on your grind size, brewing equipment, and desired brew volume, choose the right filter paper basis weight and flow rate to achieve those goals. Tonchant offers a detailed product guide and sample kits so you can test multiple grades of filter paper simultaneously before ordering in bulk.

For roasters and cafés who value consistency and quality, filters are more than just a commodity; they are a tool to shape the final coffee flavor. Contact Tonchant today to discuss different grades of filters, request samples, and discover how the right filter can enhance your coffee experience.