Why Is it Called a French Press? (Solved & Explained!)

The French press is a manual coffee maker with a long and interesting history, with its name deriving from the story of a Frenchman. Since its first patenting and design almost one hundred years ago, the French press has remained a popular choice of coffee maker around the world.

In this article, we will look in more depth at the story behind the French press name, the history of it and why it is so popular today.

Why is it called a French press?

The French press coffee maker gets its name from an old story in which an elderly Frenchman would take a daily walk and take with him a pot to make coffee. He would boil his water on an open fire and one day forgot to put his coffee grounds in beforehand. When he added them to the boiling water and added a screen to press the grounds, he accidentally created the French press method.

Does the French press have any other names?

In different parts of the world, the French press is known by different names. It is most commonly known as a French press in North America, where it also goes by ‘coffee press’. In Britain and Ireland it is mostly called a cafetière, while in other places such as New Zealand and South Africa, it is known as a coffee plunger. Despite its many names, it remains the same concept and design everywhere and works in the same way.

What is a French press?

The French press is a manual coffee brewing device which uses hot water to soak coffee grounds for a set amount of time. The grounds are then separated using the press-down feature. It is a unique brewing device in that it does not use a filter to get the grounds from the bean to the mug. The amount of time the grounds are steeped for adds a rich taste to the coffee the press produces, which many appreciate and makes the French press so popular, as we will discuss next.

What is the history of the French press?

The French press has an interesting and often disputed history. Despite being called the ‘French’ press, it was actually first invented and patented by an Italian designer called Attilio Calimani in 1929. It has since been developed and perfected to produce the device we know today, with the coffee plunger aspect added in 1958 by Swiss designer Faliero Bondanini. Bondanini’s version remains the most popular design over sixty years on.

How does the French press work?

The French press uses coarse-ground beans, which should be left to steep in hot but not boiling water for around three to five minutes. The grounds are then crushed through the strainer into the cup below, with no use of a filter. By removing the use of a filter, the French press preserves the oils and fats which retain the tastes and flavours in coffee beans. The steeping time and the preservation of these flavours are part of why the French press is able to produce such rich, flavourful, and nuanced coffee.

Why is the French press so popular?

The French press is loved around the world as an affordable, portable coffee maker which is capable of producing rich, flavourful coffee. Most French presses are cost-effective, with some options being very affordable and the highest price point being cheaper than most. The coffee produced by a French press is known for its rich taste, which makes the press a great option for brewing. With the French press, you are also given more control over things like water temperature and brew time, meaning you have more control over the taste of your coffee.

Are there any disadvantages to the French press?

The disadvantages of the French press are typically related to the practical aspects of coffee brewing. For newbies, it can take a while to perfect the method and get used to the steps involved. It can be a case of trial and error until you get the coffee you prefer, which can take a long time. The clean-up process is also less than ideal with the French press, as it is necessary to remove the grounds which collect at the bottom of most models. This can be time-consuming and irritating, especially when compared with the ease of cleaning up other devices.

Does the French press produce good coffee?

Whether you appreciate the taste of French press coffee will depend on your own tastes and preferences when it comes to coffee, as with any coffee maker. It is known and appreciated for its bold taste, which may not be to everyone’s taste. If you prefer a bold and rich taste, you are likely to value the coffee produced by the French press.

Is the French press better than the drip method?

The French press is often compared with drip method coffee makers and is typically favoured. It is preferred for its greater control over the coffee it is able to produce and the variety of sizes and materials available. It is also appreciated for its ability to produce full-bodied, flavourful coffee when compared to other methods and makers. On the other hand, it is also likely to take slightly longer than the drip method and may be slightly more difficult to use. As with any coffee maker, whether the French press is better than others is dependent on individual preferences, as some may not appreciate the rich taste of French press coffee.

Is French press coffee good for you?

Unfortunately, the coffee produced by the French press is not necessarily the healthiest coffee available. Excessive amounts of unfiltered coffee, such as that made with the press, can cause slightly raised cholesterol levels. Studies have found that around five cups of unfiltered coffee a day was enough to raise cholesterol levels in the blood by about 7%. It has also been found to have a potential link to heart disease when drank excessively over time.