Whilst the French press was originally designed for coffee, it is also a great way to brew tea. In this article, we talk about how a French press works, the benefits of loose leaf tea over tea bags, and the best ways to brew tea in a French press.
What is a French press?
A French press, also called a cafetière, is a device typically used for brewing coffee. It can also be used to froth milk, infuse oil, make broth, rinse grains, make cold brew, and of course, make tea!
Production of Loose Leaf vs Tea bag Tea
Whilst it is possible to use tea bags in a French press, it is not recommended. The better option is to use loose leaf tea, for several reasons.
Firstly, loose leaf tea is made from buds, whole leaf, or partially cut leaves. In comparison, the tea in tea bags is made from dust of small broken pieces. This means that the quality of tea bags is typically far lower than what you would get with loose leaf tea.
Whilst loose leaf tea is made from full leaves, the tea used in tea bags is predominantly made from the dust and fannings left over from tea production. Due to their small size, they have a larger surface area and oftentimes a stronger flavor – but that does not mean that they have a better flavor.
Loose Leaf vs Tea bag Tea in a French press
The flavor of tea bags can often be harsh, dull, stale, and lacking in aroma. Alternatively, when loose leaf teas are steeped, you are able to experience the full flavor profiles that that particular tea offers. Loose leaf tea is less bitter than tea bags, making the whole experience more enjoyable.
With loose leaf tea, you are able to re-steep it in a French press several times, whereas with tea bags, you can only reuse them once.
Finally, loose leaf tea stays fresher for longer, meaning that you can keep it in your cupboard for two years without it losing flavor. This differs from tea bags which go stale very quickly.
How to make tea with my French press
We hope you now realize how important it is to use loose leaf tea rather than tea bags in your French press!
To use your loose leaf tea in a French press, all you need to do is:
- Add one teaspoon of loose leaf tea to the French press
- Add 200-200ml of hot water
- Close the lid and let it steep for between 2 and 7 minutes
- Once it has brewed, press the plunger and pour
- You now have a delicious mug of tea awaiting you!
How long to brew each tea in a French press
Similar to coffee, tea will become bitter when over-brewed, so it is important to not let it steep for too long. On the contrary, if you brew tea for too short a time it will be weak and unpleasant. As a general guide, the steep times for tea in a French press are as follows:
- Green tea: 1 to 2 minutes
- White tea: 2 to 3 minutes
- Yellow tea: 2 to 3 minutes
- Oolong tea: 2 to 3 minutes
- Black Tea: 3 to 5 minutes
- Pu-erh tea: 5 minutes
- Herbal tea: 5 to 6 minutes
- Rooibos tea: 5 to 7 minutes
Water temperature for steeping loose leaf tea in a French press
Ensuring that you steep tea in a French press at the correct temperature is just as important as the amount of time that you leave it to brew. We recommend the following water temperatures:
| Amount of Tea Leaves | Water Temperature | |
| Black | 1 tsp. per 200ml | 175-180°F |
| Green | 1 tsp. per 200ml | 175-180°F |
| White | 2 tsp. per 200ml | 175-180°F |
| Yellow | 1 tsp. per 200ml | 175-180F |
| Oolong | 1 tsp. per 200ml | 195°F |
| Pu-erh | 2 tsp. per 200ml | 212°F |
| Herbal | 2 tsp. per 200ml | 212°F |
| Rooibos | 1 tsp. per 200ml | 212°F |
How to cold brew tea in a French press
French presses are also a great way to cold brew tea. All you need to do is:
- Put in one teaspoon of loose leaf tea to the French press
- Add 200-200ml of cold water
- Close the lid and place in the refrigerator
- Leave it to steep for 6 to 8 hours depending on strength preference
- Once it has brewed, press the plunger and pour
- Your cold brew tea is ready!
French press vs tea strainer
Using a tea strainer is a great way to brew tea, although there are some major differences between this and a French press.
Firstly, a French press is considerably bigger than a tea strainer, meaning that it can hold more tea leaves. This makes it much better than tea strainers for big-leaved loose-leaf tea, as it allows the leaves to expand to their full potential.
On the other hand, tea strainers are easier to clean than a French press. This can make it a better beginner device than a French press, which can be more time-consuming to use.
Finally, a tea infuser is small and simple to use, and can be taken with you when you leave the house.
French press vs tea infuser
Tea infusers are another great alternative to a French press, but again, whether or not it is the right choice for you depends on what you’re looking for.
Tea infusers differ from strainers as they can be placed directly into the cup, rather than resting on the rim of the cup. You can choose the perfect infuser size for the tea leaves, and unlike a French press, there are endless options as to which shape, size, and style you can have.
This means that tea infusers are great when bought with a specific tea in mind. For example, oolong teas would require a larger infuser, whether herbal teas would need something smaller. It is important to get the correct size infuser, otherwise the tea may lack flavor.
This can be more time-consuming than a French press, where you can use the one press for every type of tea.
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.