Paper vs Metal Filter: What Changes

I didn't think a filter could matter until I tasted the same coffee through paper and metal side by side. Filters change mouthfeel and clarity more than people expect. Here's the trade-off I landed on.

Trade-off

Paper gives a clean, bright cup and catches oils. Metal and cloth keep more body and sediment. Pick by the texture you like.

Pick your texture

There's no "correct" filter, just the cup you like. Paper gives me that clean, bright finish; metal keeps the body and a little sediment I don't mind. I switch based on mood, not rules — this is just how the two play out in my kitchen.