A portion capsule for producing a beverage has a capsule body with a capsule base and a filling side. A cavity for accommodating a pulverulent or liquid beverage base is formed between the capsule base and the filling side, and a filter element is arranged between the beverage base and the capsule base The filter element includes an open-pore felt and/or nonwoven. The felt and/or the nonwoven have/has an average first pore size in a first region which faces the beverage base and an average second pore size in a second region which faces the capsule base, wherein the first pore size is smaller than the second pore size.