When comparing the AeroPress to a Cafetiére, the one that will be better will come down to a coffee drinker’s personal preferences. As a general rule, if you like a thicker, bold and textured cup of java, then a Cafetiére will be more your speed. But, if you want a smoother cup of coffee in five minutes or less, then AeroPress will be best.
Regardless, it’s good to compare the two to determine which will be best. Both have different brewing times but their brewing methods are similar. The only real difference in this regard is that AeroPress incorporates a filter.
What Is an AeroPress?
The AeroPress is a modern invention by Alan Alder in 2005. It takes coffee-making to a whole new level. It combines all the beauty of the French press with the quality of espresso-like fresh brewed coffee. It has plastic components such as the filter cap, plunger and cylinder-like chamber. The whole contraption quickens the coffee making process. It makes one cup of coffee per use.
What in the World is a Cafetiére?
A Cafetiére is a fancy word for a French press. Originally, however, it was otherwise known as a coffee plunger or press pot. It was a manual means of brewing coffee and invented by a man named Paolini Ugo in 1929. It’s the classic plunger with cylindrical beaker. These come in stainless steel, plastic or glass while some have thermostat insulation and others do not.
How Do You Brew a Cup of Coffee in an AeroPress?
You assemble the AeroPress by attaching the chamber to the filter cap with the filter inside it. Pour in one well-rounded scoop of fresh fine ground coffee which is then followed by water that’s at least 175°F. Stir the grounds for around 10 seconds to 30 seconds.
Put the plunger over the top, align your cup underneath and depress the plunger. Ensure you pause when you feel resistance. Add a little more hot water to the cup and it’s ready.
The Inverted Method
However, some people boast using the inverted method with an AeroPress. This allows you to not only use coarser coffee grounds but people claim it improves the brewing process. You just fill the device as usual but you turn it upside down rather than stir. You flip it over and then depress the plunger.
How Do You Brew Coffee in a Cafetiére?
Making coffee with a Cafetiére is pretty simple. You measure about one tablespoon of medium to course coffee grounds per cup of water into the vessel. Fill it with water at 205°F until just saturated with water and let it sit for 30 seconds to one whole minute. Then, add more water until it reaches your intended amount.
Stir the grounds around for about three to four minutes. Put the lid on and depress the plunger slow and gentle. Pour the coffee out from the beaker into your favorite mug and enjoy.
How Does an AeroPress and a Cafetiére Differ? How Are They the Same?
As you can see, there are some major and distinct differences between brewing coffee in an AeroPress versus a Cafetiére. The most prominent of these is the method of brewing and how long it takes to get a cup ready. But, both technically produce coffee.
Coffee Brewing Time
While AeroPress boasts having espresso-like coffee, it is not espresso. This is because an AeroPress doesn’t steam the grounds. It only incorporates hot water and grounds, just like a Cafetiére. However, the Cafetiére takes much longer to brew a cup of coffee than it does in an AeroPress; five minutes and two to three minutes, respectively.
Versatile Materials in a Cafetiére
Plus, there’s more versatility in materials for a Cafetiére than there is for an AeroPress. While both can comprise plastic, a Cafetiére can also be stainless steel or glass; whereas an AeroPress only comprises plastic. Some coffee drinkers believe materials affect the taste and plastic may not be desirable.
Many Commonalities between a Cafetiére & an AeroPress
Although there’s only a two-minute difference in brewing coffee, both types of methods are easy and simple to use. There’s nothing complicated about either device and both are a cinch to clean. Plus, both the AeroPress and the Cafetiére cost about the same, $30. However, you do have to purchase additional filters, but these only cost about $5 for a pack of 350.
Larger Volume Capacity in a Cafetiére than AeroPress
The Cafetiére, however, does brew a larger amount of coffee in one session than an AeroPress does. An AeroPress only produces one cup of coffee at a time. With a Cafetiére, you can brew four to 12 cups or more at once depending on how big the beaker is.
What Does a Cup of Coffee Taste Like from a Cafetiére versus an AeroPress?
There is a world of difference between the taste of coffee brewed from a Cafetiére versus an AeroPress. The Cafetiére will provide a bolder and richer flavor with a full body. This produces a thicker texture to the coffee that burgeons with all the natural oils from the coffee grounds.
AeroPress incorporates a filter, which removes the oils, particles and other undesirable texture. This provides for a smoother flavor that brings out the florals and other aromatics from the beans.
Overview Comparing & Contrasting an AeroPress with a Cafetiére
| AeroPress | Cafetiére | |
| Brewing Method | Hot water with a plunger | Hot water with a plunger |
| Type of Coffee Grounds | Medium to Very Fine | Medium to Coarse |
| Water Temperature | 175°F | 205°F |
| Filtration Method | Micro-filter | Metal mesh |
| Brewing Time | 2-3 minutes | 5 minutes |
| Taste | Smooth and aromatic | Bold and textured |
| Materials | BPA-Free Plastic | Plastic, Glass or Stainless Steel |
| Cost | $29.95 | $30 |
| Capacity | One Cup | 4 ounces to 48 ounces |
| Difficulty of Use | Easy | Easy |
| Cleaning Simplicity | Simple | Simple |
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.