Filter test: Regular KONO Filter and KONO Silky Filter

KONO silky paper has launched to the market for a while, some people might be still interested in the difference between it and the regular KONO. Then let’s talk about it.

Material: Regular KONO and KONO silky are both made from wood pulp. The main difference is on the producing method. Regular KONO has high crepes on both inside and outside, and for KONO silky, the crepe on outside has been flatten, so the density becomes high, and it feels silky smooth when you touch it. You can see the difference in below picture.

(Left is KONO silky, right is regular KONO)

However, the inside of KONO silky does keep the crepe to provide permeability in some extent. You can see the inside of KONO silky and regular KONO has no big difference.

(Left is silky, right is regular, if you curious)

By the way, some filters are made from wood pulp and cotton pulp to change their density, KONO has this type of filter too, but that’s another story.

Actual brewing: Since they are made from the same material, KONO silky just uses its smooth outside to stick with the dripper and prevent the side flow, which lead to the differences in brewing and final cup.

Based on my personal experience, KONO silky is usually 20 seconds slower than the regular. Results in a slightly stronger flavours and noticeable heavier body. The flavour trend or direction won’t change. One point worth to mention is, the flow rate on KONO silky when become gradually slower as your brew time goes, while regular KONO has pretty average speed from beginning till the end. So if you need precise control on brew time and your coffee doesn’t emphasize much body, you can keep using your regular KONO.