FRENCH PRESS OVERVIEW
HOW IT WORKS :
A French press, also known as a cafetière, cafetière à piston, caffettiera a stantuffo, press pot, coffee press, or coffee plunger, is a coffee brewing device. While it goes by many names The French Press as we know it is A cylindrical pot with a plunger and built-in filter screen that presses hot water through ground coffee: that’s the simple beauty of the French press, method of choice for many all over the world, creating an earthy, rich taste in your daily cup of coffee.
The secret is all in the grind: choose medium, with uniformity and consistency throughout. Very coarse grinds may clog the filter, while very fine grinds will pass through the filter, muddying the results.
Using the French press is fairly simple in case you are new to the manual brewing game. You begin by filling the carafe with coffee grounds. Then, you add hot water and let the mixture steep. Once the steeping process is finished (time frame), simply push down the plunger, which separates the grounds from the coffee, and enjoy your drink.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES:
If you prefer drinking a cup of coffee that is strong, bold, and rich, this is probably the tool for you. With this brewing method, much more of the coffee’s oils are drawn from the grounds, making the flavor more intense. Also, if you enjoy the idea of customization, the French press is ready to serve. Since the brewer gets to choose basically any grind size and control the strength and richness by altering the time the grounds are steeped.
One issue people take with the French press is the presence of grit. While the screen filter will keep out larger grounds, some smaller ones might get through, giving the coffee a slightly gritty texture. Some products claim to remedy this issue, but as those filtration systems wear down, you might still get some grittiness.
Lastly, while the process of using the French press is pretty painless, cleaning it might be a different story. The mechanism must be dismantled, and the pieces cleaned separately.
POUR OVER OVERVIEW
HOW IT WORKS:
The pour over method also requires pouring heated water over coffee grounds; however, with a Pour-over, you place the grounds in a cone-shaped component. The grounds are stored at the top of the cone. The grounds are then wet and left to sit for a moment before more water is added. The filter causes the added water to soak through the grounds in a circular motion and eliminates the element of constant contact, so the finished brew is lighter and smoother with no grit regardless of what product you use.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES:
Many people see the lack of grit as the biggest advantage of the pour-over method. If you are looking for a smooth cup that resembles what you could get in a normal drip brew, the pour-over will likely suit you better than the French press.
This method also makes for easier clean-up. With no need for dismantling, this option works well if you are only looking to make one or two cups in the morning.
The flavor of the coffee is less intense when using the pour-over due to the lack of immersion, which is great for people who prefer lighter coffee but is a bit of a bummer for people who gravitate towards strong, full-bodied coffee.
IN CONCLUSION
At the end of the day, the choice comes down to taste, texture, and ease of use.
If you want a bolder, thicker brew that will not require too much finesse on your part, a French press is a way to go. Many models on the market either partially or entirely eliminate the grit problem that is characteristic of the French press method.
However, if you happen to like coffee that packs less of a kick and is a little smoother, you might want to try your hand making pour-over coffee.
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