Typically made from paper or fine wire mesh, this kitchen utensil holds coffee grounds so water can pass through the contents into a receiving pot, such as a coffee pot. Working as a strainer, the coffee filter keeps the ground coffee particles together so the water can circulate around the particles (grounds) to become infused with the particle oils that flavor the water dropping through the filter and into the pot.
Coffee filters made from paper are disposable while the wire mesh filter, made from stainless steel is reusable. The mesh filter is formed into either a basket shape or a cone shape to fit the various types of coffee makers being produced.