It’s one of those small steps that’s easy to skip. You’re bleary-eyed, craving that first cup, and someone once told you rinsing your coffee filter was optional at best.
But is it?
Let’s clear things up.
First, What Does Rinsing Actually Do?
When you rinse a paper coffee filter, you’re doing two things:
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Removing papery flavours – Even high-quality filters can leave a faint taste of paper in your brew. Rinsing clears that out before it touches your coffee.
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Warming and pre-wetting your brewer – A warm filter and carafe keep your brewing temperature more stable, which means better extraction and flavour.
So while it may seem fussy, rinsing makes a difference—and not just for flavour nerds.
When (and When Not) to Rinse
Here’s a simple guide based on the kind of brewing you’re doing:
✅ Rinse if you're using:
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V60, Chemex, or Kalita – These use bleached or unbleached paper filters, and rinsing helps eliminate that dry, papery taste.
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AeroPress with paper filters – A quick rinse makes for a smoother, cleaner cup.
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Batch brewers with cone filters – Rinsing helps here too, especially if you’re brewing single-origin light roasts.
❌ Skip it if you're using:
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Metal or cloth filters – No need to rinse, though cloth filters should be well-rinsed after use.
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Pre-wet filters in machines like Moccamasters (they often auto-rinse) – though it never hurts to do it yourself for precision.
But… Is the Paper Taste Really That Bad?
Try this: brew two cups of the same coffee, one with a rinsed filter, one without. Taste them side by side.
You’ll likely notice:
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The unrinsed cup has a slightly drier, flatter finish.
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The rinsed cup lets more of the origin character shine—those sweet, citrusy, or chocolatey notes pop more clearly.
It's a small detail, but in coffee, small details matter.
The Bottom Line?
Yes—you should rinse your coffee filter.
It takes 10 seconds, uses a splash of water, and can noticeably improve your brew. Especially if you're brewing something delicate and beautiful like Midnight Canopy or Morning Mist, rinsing makes sure those origin flavours don’t get lost behind a papery veil.
Pro Tip from The Aviary
Use the rinse water to preheat your mug or server. Waste nothing. Enjoy everything.
Coffee’s in the Details
Great coffee is never just about the beans—it’s about what you do with them. Rinsing your filter won’t turn a bad coffee into a great one, but it will help your favourite brews taste exactly as they’re meant to.
And for us, that matters. Because every cup you brew well brings you closer to the wild places and parrots that inspired it.
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