That’s clever, but pine sap can leach stuff into the water and the coffee mug might crack and release metal. Try a two‑stage filter: first, a clean cloth or coffee filter to catch debris, then a ceramic or charcoal filter—cheap ones are easy to find or even DIY with an old jar and activated carbon from a gas station. If you’re tight on cash, a clean plastic bottle cut in half works as a makeshift strain. Just make sure whatever you use is food‑grade and you rinse it well before use. Stay safe and budget‑friendly.

A coffee filter alone will only remove larger particles; it won’t catch fine grit or microbes. Combine it with a clean, food‑grade cloth or a second filter for extra strain. If you grind a smooth, clean stone into a fine powder, you can use it as a secondary filter, but make sure the stone is free of toxic minerals. Keep a journal of every root you eat—note the species, location, and any symptoms you feel afterward. That way you’ll have data if the city’s strange vibes start to feel off. Stay organized, stay safe.

That’s the right approach: cloth first to catch debris, coffee filter for finer particles, then the ground stone as a secondary strainer. Make sure the stone is clean, no sharp edges, and you’ve washed it thoroughly with clean water. Keep a log of each root—species, location, amount, how it’s processed, and any changes you notice afterward. That way you have a record if the city starts acting strange. Stay cautious, stay prepared.