French press has quickly become one of the most popular ways to make coffee, mainly for the fact it produces some of the best tasting coffee with rich, distinct, strong flavors and aromas. Using a French press also gives you full control over the taste and strength of your brew, for coffee that perfectly suits your tastebuds every time.
Discover the answer to the popularity of French press coffee, why people prefer coffee made in a French press, how to use a press to make the best tasting coffee and compare it to other methods.
Why Is French Press Coffee So Popular?
The taste of French press coffee gives it an edge over other methods – if you like your coffee to be strong, hearty, and full of flavor, then a French press is the right device for you. You also have a lot of control over how your coffee turns out as you are so involved in the coffee making process.
Why Does French Press Coffee Taste Better?
The method of making coffee in a French press extracts the most flavor and aroma from the beans, leading to the rich taste that make it so popular. This is because it is unfiltered through paper – the grounds are just separated by the metal mesh and continue being saturated into the water to give it the full flavor.
What Is A Coffee Press?
You may have heard of a French press by another name – a coffee press or a cafetière. French press coffee is made manually in this device, which is made of a beaker or carafe (usually made of glass, sometimes plastic), a plunger, and a mesh filter. French presses are very inexpensive to purchase.
What Is French Press Coffee?
French press coffee is made manually in the press, through a process of steeping coffee grounds in hot water for a few minutes before separating. This is an involved and time-consuming process as the coffee beans need to be ground manually first, then steeped for around four minutes, then separated by pressing the grounds to the bottom with the plunger.
What Are the Pros of French Press Coffee?
- French presses create the best tasting coffee with a rich, delicious flavor.
- You have complete control over your brew in terms of strength and flavor.
- You can make several cups at a time and keep them warm.
- Many people enjoy being more involved in the process of making their coffee.
What Are the Cons of French Press Coffee?
- It’s more involved and time-consuming than other methods, and it is done by hand rather than automatically.
- The press needs to be cleaned after each use to prevent build-up.
- It can take a bit of trial and error to find the brew that’s perfect for you and make it right each time.
Is French Press Coffee Better for You?
French press coffee has more caffeine in it than other types of coffee, and the same antioxidants and benefits that all coffee provides. As you are using freshly roasted beans and higher quality beans than instant or pre-brewed, there are no impurities added to them. As French press is not filtered it does not filter out any positive ingredients.
Is French Press Better Than Pour Over Coffee?
French press coffee and pour over coffee differ mainly in the fact that pour over coffee uses a paper filter. French press coffee is not filtered, rather the grounds and water are separated using a metal mesh. This means that French press coffee has a richer and stronger taste and would suit those who enjoy stronger and unfiltered coffee.
Is French Press Better Than Drip Machine Coffee?
Drip coffee machines also use a paper filter, such as pour over coffee, yet they are automatic. This is very convenient as you can add your grounds, water, and set it to brew. These machines can make a lot of cups at once. However, the same comparison applies in that French press coffee has a much richer and stronger taste.
Is French Press Better Than Instant Coffee?
French press coffee has a lot more flavor, taste and aroma than instant coffee. This is because the beans used in French press coffee are freshly roasted and ground and are often of a higher quality. Instant coffee is weaker, has less caffeine, and can taste stale or bitter.
How Should I Make Coffee in A French Press?
- Grind your coffee beans coarsely in a burr grinder before placing them in the carafe.
- Boil water, and after 30 seconds pour into carafe onto the coffee grounds.
- Put the lid on and leave coffee to steep for around 4 minutes.
- Press plunger down to the bottom to filter the coffee grounds from the water.
What Coffee Can I Make in a French Press?
French presses are very versatile, and you can use any kind of coffee beans in a press to make a variety of drinks:
- Americano
- Flat white
- Latte
- Cappuccino
- Espresso (this is made using a different method to other coffee, but can be done in a press)
- Instant (though this is not recommended as instant coffee powder is so finely ground)
What Beans Should I Use in a French Press?
French presses require coffee beans to be more coarse and mid-size, as grinds that are too small and fine can get through the mesh filter into the coffee, leading to sediment and bitter tasting coffee. This is why it is recommended to grind your own coffee beans in a burr grinder to use in a French press.
How Long Should French Press Coffee Be Brewed For?
4 minutes is the suggested length of time to let coffee grounds steep in a French press, but dependent on your tastes any time between 3 and 6 minutes should give you a satisfactory result. Brewing for longer will give you stronger coffee, which might be your preference, or longer than 4 minutes may be too much.
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Discover why people prefer French press coffee to other methods in our handy 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.
