Evaluating the strength of coffee with a French Press will greatly depend on the other brewing methods you are comparing it with. For instance, French Press coffee will not be as strong as espresso or Moka Pot coffee but it definitely will be stronger than what comes out of a drip machine or an AeroPress.
The French Press gives a quick and easy cup of coffee that you can enjoy in a matter of moments. Understanding if French Press coffee is stronger than other types will rely on several factors. Not least of which are the various definitions for a strong cup of Joe and the brewing method used.
What Does Coffee Strength Mean?
There are several variables and factors that go into the definition of coffee strength. These are acidity, aroma, boldness and overall caffeine content. It’s these aspects that boil down to an individual’s preferences for taste, texture and overall bouquet.
Some people consider a strong cup of coffee to be acidic with a high level of caffeine. Others don’t like acidity but still want the benefits of a strong amount of caffeine. Yet some coffee drinkers like theirs with little caffeine but want a bold bouquet. You can classify all these forms as being “strong” in terms of a cup of coffee.
Which Is Stronger: French Press Coffee or Espresso?
Espresso is far stronger than French Press coffee in flavor but French Press coffee is bolder. So, in this case it will come down to personal preference. Do you want more caffeine content or a stronger taste without the caffeine rush? If you want the latter option, then the French Press will be the ideal brew.
Which Is Stronger: French Press or Drip Machine Coffee?
In most instances, the French Press will provide a stronger cup of java than drip machines. There are several reasons for this. First, most people don’t add enough grinds into the basket of a drip machine versus a French Press. But, if you’re using a fancy drip, such as a Moccamaster, you may be able to get something comparable to a French Press.
Second, the filtration on a French Press isn’t as thorough as a drip machine. A French Press employs a fine mesh filter whereas the drip has a paper filter lining the basket.
What’s more, it’s because of the metal filter in the French Press that more oils and sediment enters the coffee, which increases its flavor and aroma. Plus French Press coffee has more body and feels more robust on the taste buds.
Which Is Stronger: French Press or Percolator?
When comparing percolated coffee to that of a French Press, it’s a tie. Both are equal in flavor, taste, boldness and texture. So, this will become a matter around personal preference. If a bolder aroma and taste are your things, the French Press will optimal. But it’s really close in terms of a percolator.
Which Is Stronger: French Press Coffee or an AeroPress?
French Press coffee will indeed be stronger than java from an AeroPress. This is because of the mesh filter used in the French Press compared to the paper one in an AeroPress. That said, if you’re using a metal filter alternative in an AeroPress, the results will be more similar in strength.
Even still, the French Press will provide a stronger flavor and bolder aroma than the single cup that an AeroPress produces.
Which Is Stronger: French Press or Moka Pot?
Unfortunately, French Press coffee will not be stronger than the coffee from a Moka Pot. While the French Press coffee will offer a more full-bodied flavor to the cup of Joe, Moka Pot’s is stronger due to the steaming process of brewing. It’s a purer coffee that gives a strong taste and a concentrated amount of caffeine.
Which Is Stronger: French Press or Cold Brew?
The jury is out on whether French Press coffee is stronger than cold brewing methods. So, it will come down to how much acidity someone likes in their coffee. While a French Press will provide a bolder taste, the cold brew will have far less acidity.
This is because of the way each uses water to produce the coffee. Cold brew takes about 24 to 30 hours to brew in full with cold water whereas the French Press only takes a few minutes to brew with hot water.
However, there are several methods for cold brew which can affect the strength of a cup of coffee. For instance, cold brew concentrate systems will provide much stronger coffee than ones with a shallow basket.
Which Is Stronger: French Press or Pour-Over?
The java that comes from a French Press will be stronger than pour-over coffee. The texture of what comes out of a pour-over is something akin to a drip machine. It’s smooth and well-filtered, so there’s no grit or thick texture. It also reduces the strength of the coffee’s flavor because of how it absorbs oils and diterpenes.
A French Press’s metal filter doesn’t process oils or diterpenes out in the same way. Therefore, the French Press will provide much stronger coffee.
What Causes French Press Coffee to Taste Weak?
If you have a French Press and continually find the taste of the coffee very weak, this means you’re not doing something right. Consider the following points to see if these are what you’re doing wrong:
- Not using enough coffee grounds
- Not steeping the grounds in the water long enough and push down on the plunger too soon
- The water temperature isn’t hot enough to release the oils
- Too coarse coffee grounds will not brew well in a French Press
- You’re using a light roast rather than dark for the beans
Quick Review
The following table gives a brief overview about how the brewing methods mentioned above compare to that of French Press coffee in regards to strength.
| Espresso | Drip | Percolator | AeroPress | Moka Pot | Cold Brew | Pour Over |
| Stronger | Weaker | Equal | Weaker | Stronger | Depends | Weaker |
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.