A tea press looks and functions very similarly to a coffee press. One difference is that tea presses often come in a circular teapot shape, and coffee presses have a carafe. A tea press has a filter in the centre whereas coffee presses have a filter on the plunger. Both press the grinds or leaves to the bottom to filter.
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Is A Tea Press Different to A Coffee Press?
Tea presses function in the same way as a coffee press, steeping coffee and tea in hot water for several minutes before filtering. Coffee presses separate the water and grinds with a mesh filter pushed to the bottom. Tea presses have a filter in the centre, pushing the leaves down into the bottom part of the filter with no holes.
What Is a Coffee Press?
A coffee press, also known as a French press or cafetière, is made of a glass (or plastic) beaker/carafe, a plunger and a metal mesh filter. Coffee presses are cheap to buy and are a simple way of manually making your own delicious coffee. Coffee Statistics states that the French press was patented in Millan around 80 years ago.
How Does a Coffee Press Work?
A coffee press works by steeping, or brewing, coffee grinds in hot water for a few minutes (between 3 and 6 minutes, but ideally around 4 minutes) before separating the grinds and water with the mesh filter by pressing the plunger to the bottom of the carafe.
How Do I Make Coffee Using A Press?
- Firstly, grind your beans so they are coarse and midsize (not too fine or small).
- Boil water and leave for 30 seconds to cool slightly.
- Pour hot water onto your coffee grinds.
- Place lid on carafe and leave coffee to steep (for around 4 minutes).
- Press plunger down to bottom to separate grinds from water.
What Is A Tea Press?
A tea press is similar to a coffee press in that it is a round glass cafetière and looks like a cross between a teapot and a French press. You can also purchase a tea French press which works in exactly the same way as a coffee French press. A press allows you to steep your tea for several minutes.
How Does A Tea Press Work?
A tea press allows you to steep your tea for an optimum amount of time.
- Place your tea into the metal filter.
- Pour in boiling water.
- Leave to steep for between 2 and 6 minutes (dependent on the type of tea).
- With the plunger push the tea into the bottom of the filter with no holes.
What Kinds of Coffee Can I Make in A Coffee Press?
You can make almost any kind of coffee in a coffee press as any coffee beans are suitable for use in a press.
- Americano
- Flat white
- Latte
- Cappuccino
- Instant
- Espresso (although the method of making espresso is different to other coffee types, there is still a trick to doing it in a coffee press!)
What Kinds of Tea Can I Make in A Tea Press?
Any kind of tea can be made in a tea press:
- Loose leaf
- Bagged
- Black
- White
- Green
- Yellow
- Fruit
- Peppermint
- Chamomile
- Oolong
- Matcha
- Breakfast
- Earl grey
Can I Make Tea in A Coffee Press?
Yes, you can – and vice versa! As coffee and tea presses are such similar devices and prepare the drinks in the same way, you can use either for both beverages. How to make tea in a coffee press:
- Put tea into carafe.
- Pour over boiling water.
- Leave to steep for a couple of minutes.
- Push the plunger down to filter.
Does Coffee Taste Better Made in A Press?
French press coffee tastes so good as it has such a rich, strong and distinct flavor compared to other methods of making coffee. As the coffee beans are steeped in water for a few minutes and not filtered through paper, the full flavor of the coffee is saturated into the water. You can steep the coffee to your exact preference.
Does Tea Taste Better Made in A Press?
Using a press is an optimal way of making tea as it allows you to control how long tea is infused in water to create the perfect strength brew. You do not have to brew directly in a mug or teapot, where if steeped too long it can taste bitter – after the optimum brew time the tea is filtered.
What Are the Advantages of a Coffee Press?
- You can create some of the best tasting coffee with a rich, hearty flavor.
- You have more control over how strong and flavorful your coffee is by how long you steep it for.
- You can make more than one cup at a time and keep it warm.
What Are the Disadvantages of a Coffee Press?
- It takes longer and is more hands-on than other methods as you grind, pour and plunge yourself.
- The press needs to be cleaned after each use to prevent residue build-up.
- It can take some practice to use the press properly to make coffee taste just how you like it.
What Are the Advantages of a Tea Press?
- It allows you to make a tea that has been brewed for an optimum amount of time.
- You can choose how strong to make your tea.
- You can make an entire pot of tea in the press and keep it warm without continuing to steep flavors.
What Are the Disadvantages of a Tea Press?
- It’s more time-consuming and involved than other methods such as teabags.
- Requires clean-up afterwards to properly remove all the loose leaves from the filter to avoid any bitter-tasting residue.
What Are Other Ways to Make Coffee?
- Instant
- Drip
- Pour over
- Percolator
- Espresso
- Coffee machine
- Iced
What Are Other Ways to Make Tea?
- Teabags (made straight into a mug)
- Teapot
- Infuser
- Strainer
- French press
- Iced
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Find out the difference between a coffee press and a tea press in this ultimate guide.
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.
