You can use cocoa powder in a French press to make hot cocoa brewed in a similar way to coffee. You can also add cocoa powder to your French press coffee to make a perfect mocha. Coarsely ground cacao nibs, in the same way as coffee grounds, are great to use in a French press for a rich hot cocoa.
We will explore in the following article how to make rich, delicious hot cocoa in a French press using cocoa powder and cacao nibs – you probably didn’t know you could do this with your coffee maker!
Can I Use Cocoa Powder to Make Hot Cocoa in a French Press?
You can brew cocoa powder in your French press in a similar way to coffee to make rich, smooth hot chocolate.
- Add around 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder or ground cacao beans into your French press.
- Add one cup of boiling water.
- Stir the powder and water.
- Leave to steep for around 5 – 7 minutes.
- Press the filter down.
- Serve.
What is French Press Breakfast Chocolate?
French Press breakfast chocolate is thick, frothy, European-style hot chocolate.
This recipe from The View from Great Island uses high cacao bittersweet chocolate coarsely ground in a food processor or grinder, and milk – with the French press plunger pumping the milk into a froth.
- Add 4 tablespoons of the chocolate powder into the bottom of the French press.
- Warm a cup of milk until it just comes to a boil.
- Pour the hot milk over the chocolate and let sit it sit for 2 minutes.
- Press the plunger up and down for around a minute to froth the milk.
How Do I Make Cocoa in a French Press Using Cacao Nibs?
Cacao nibs are parts of crushed cacao beans, and so are extremely similar to coffee grounds and great to use in a French press. You can grind the cacao nibs coarsely in your coffee grinder.
Similarly to the recipe above, you can mix 2 tablespoons of cacao nibs with 2 cups of milk and warm this until it just about comes to a boil. Pour this into the French press and pump the plunger to aerate the milk and turn it into a froth.
Can I Add Cocoa Powder to My Coffee in a French Press?
Adding cocoa powder to coffee creates a mocha – a smooth, chocolatey tasting coffee. This can be made in a French press in a couple of ways.
- Add around 1 – 1.5 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the ground coffee in your French press. Pour over hot water and leave it to steep for around 4 minutes and brew in your French press.
- Alternatively, brew your coffee in your French press as usual. Add cocoa powder to your mug and add a splash of your brewed coffee. Stir to combine into a paste then pour the rest of the coffee in. This method can help if the cocoa powder is becoming clogged or over-extracted in the French press.
Can I Make Cold Brew Cocoa in a French Press?
Add cocoa powder to cold brew coffee to infuse a chocolate flavor into your cold brew.
- Add 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder into your ground coffee and stir to combine.
- Add this into your French press.
- Pour on 3 cups, or around 28 ounces, of cold water.
- Stir the mixture and leave it to steep for around 12 hours in a refrigerator.
What Is the Difference Between Making Coffee and Cocoa in a French Press?
Making coffee and hot cocoa in a French press is extremely similar. The main difference is that cocoa can be made in various ways in a French press.
- Cocoa powder can be added to your ground coffee to make a mocha or chocolate cold brew.
- Cocoa powder or ground cacao nibs can be used to steep hot cocoa.
- Cocoa powder, cacao nibs or chopped chocolate can be mixed with milk and frothed in a French press using the plunger.
Does Cocoa Taste Better Made in a French Press?
French presses are well-known for making coffee with a rich, distinct flavor. This is the same for hot cocoa or chocolate coffees. As the grounds/cocoa will be saturated in hot water, all the aromas and flavors are extracted to give your cocoa plenty of flavor. You have control over your brew to make it just how you like it.
What Is Cocoa Powder?
Cocoa powder is formed by pressing unroasted cacao beans to remove the cacao butter and drying it into a powder. Cocoa powder can be used to make hot chocolate and for baking. For best results in a French press, buy cocoa powder which is coarse
What Are Cocoa Nibs and How Do I Grind Them?
Cacao nibs are parts of crushed cacao beans, and so are extremely similar in size and shape to coffee grounds. This means they are great to use in a French press, especially if they are coarsely ground and not too fine. You can grind the cacao nibs in a coffee grinder at home, such as a burr grinder.
What Are Other Ways to Make Cocoa?
- Instant cocoa powder – just add hot water and stir, then add milk to serve
- Cocoa powder – combine with milk and warm up in a saucepan or in the microwave
- Velvetiser – heats and whisks milks and chocolate flakes
- Milk frother – froth hot milk and mix with cocoa powder or chocolate flakes
What Other Drinks Can I Make in a French Press?
- Latte
- Cappuccino
- Mocha
- Cold brew
- Espresso
- Tea
How Does a French Press Work?
A French press is mainly used for brewing coffee but brews drinks manually. Coffee grounds are added to a glass beaker before being mixed with hot water and left to steep for several minutes. The plunger is then pressed to the bottom of the beaker to separate the grounds and water through a metal filter.
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.