[1][2] It is named after Melitta Bentz (1873–1950) who founded the company after she invented the drip brew paper coffee filter (German patent granted 8 July 1908).

This created a larger filtration area, allowing for improved extraction of the ground coffee.

[8] In 1951/1952 and 1957/1958, the Porta-Keramikwerke J. Brauers in Barkhausen at Porta Westfalica, Germany produced ceramic filters for Melitta.

Melitta continued to develop new techniques to improve the shape, performance, material and production process of its filter systems.

In 1989, Natural Brown coffee filters made from unbleached pulp were introduced, which kept unwanted by-products from leaching into the environment.

[16] In April 2020, Melitta announced that the company would be manufacturing nose and face masks as part of the COVID-19 pandemic.