A contribution from Andy Jamerson in the category #Coffee Knowledge from 5 August 2021
You may have already seen that a new paper filter is available in our store. The Sibarist paper filters for hand filters promise a unique coffee experience. They are also significantly more expensive than the classic Hario filters. Is it worth it? We have tested the Sibarist filters for you.
The hand filter is one of the most popular methods of brewing filter coffee. In addition to Hario’s paper filters, we now offer those by Sibarist. Their paper filter fits perfectly into the standard size of the Hario v60 02 and promises an even better coffee result than the traditional filters do.
They are made from 100% organic raw materials in Barcelona.
Sibarist paper filters come in high quality packaging. Even more interesting than that is the material the filters are made of. They are a blend of sustainably grown abaca and cellulose fibers.
The filters are compatible with the classic v60 02 and look similar to the regular Hario v60 paper filters. The handling is also pretty much identical. Simply make a bend on the embossing to use the paper filters.
The Fast Specialty Coffee filter from Sibarist stands out because it allows for a shorter coffee brewing time. This makes it possible to use a finer grind without over-extracting the coffee. In our test, this produced exceptional results. But more on that below. We also recommend rinsing.
Let's go! Our Test
In the test, we brewed our Yirgacheffe coffee in the v60 hand filter with the filter paper by both Sibarist and Hario. Afterwards we organised a blind testing.
For this we used our standard recipe:
- 18 g of coffee to 300 ml of water.
- Grind setting for the Hario filter: Comandante 22 clicks
- Grind setting for the Sibarist filter: Comandante 17 clicks – there is still room for testing here
- Immediately upon use, it is noticeable that the Sibarist filter fits the v60 better than the filter paper from Hario. Even though the differences are minimal, I would not have expected that.
Taste-wise, the coffee brewed with the Sibarist paper feels a bit smoother. It has more depth, tastes more complex and has more body than the one brewed with the conventional filter paper from Hario. In contrast, the coffee brewed with the classic Hario filter paper convinces with a clearer flavor, but is less intense.
Products used in our test:
Recommendation for the grind
Our recommendation for any grinder is to find out first which setting works best with the filter paper you are used to. Then feel your way to the appropriate grind with finer grind settings. It is not necessary to produce an extremely fine grind as with an espresso. Here’s our grind recommendation from the grinders we used in our test:
- Comandante: 17 clicks
- Porlex Mini: 4 clicks
Conclusion
We were surprised by the Sibarist filter. It highlights the nuances of a coffee very well and provides a soft mouthfeel. Compared to the classic Hario filters, the coffee tastes rounder and smoother. With Hario’s classic paper filters, the coffee tastes clearer, but lacks the soft mouthfeel.
For whom are these paper filters suitable?
For those who like to prepare their coffee in a hand filter and feel like trying new recipes with the Sibarist. Compared to alternative paper filters, they are not particularly cheap. There is a reason for it: They are made in the EU from 100% organic raw materials and therefore offer an exciting alternative to the usual paper filters.
