French Press vs Espresso

French press and Espresso are traditional coffee brewing techniques. You can use any of these techniques to produce dark and robust coffee that forms the base for different coffee varieties.

The French press is a manual device that uses a plunger to settle the coffee grinds at the bottom of the vessel. The clear brew from the top is then taken to make coffee.

The espresso, on the other hand, is made using an espresso machine. In this machine, hot water is poured through coffee grinds to express the brew.

What is French Press?

A French Press, otherwise called a coffee pot or coffee plunger, is a coffee-making device. This device was developed by two French inventors, and hence the name.

A French press device comes with a cylindrical beaker made of stainless steel, glass, plastic, or stoneware. It has a metal plunger with a filter at the end that helps to separate the coffee grind from the brew. The filter and plunger fit tightly on the beaker so that the unfiltered coffee does not get pushed through the edges.

How to Brew Coffee in a French Press?

Brewing coffee in the French press involves the following steps.

First, you should remove the plunger from the beaker. Now, add coffee grinds to the beaker in the desired quantity. If you want more strong coffee, then you should add more grinds.

Next, you should pour hot water into the beaker. For one tablespoon of coffee, you should pour 200 ml of water. You should change the level of water depending on the quantity of the coffee. But make sure that the water level does not exceed the maximum permissible limit. Once poured, you should replace the plunger into the beaker to trap the heat.
You should now leave it for a few minutes so that the coffee grinds get mixed with the water. If you want a strong brew, you should leave it for a longer time.
Now, you should slowly press the plunger down the beaker. This way the grinds get settled at the bottom. Ensure that you do it slowly so that the grinds and water do not get mixed up again.

What Are the Advantages of French Press Coffee?

Using a French Press offers the following advantages.

Not expensive: Compared to other types of coffee machines, a French press coffee maker is not so expensive.

Make a large quantity: You can produce a large volume of coffee within a short period using a French press. Thus, it is a good choice for making coffee for large gatherings.

Compact: French press coffee maker is highly compact. Thus, if you want to make coffee while out camping or on a picnic, the French press coffee maker is a good choice.

Make different coffee types: Apart from hot coffee, you can also prepare cold brew coffee using a French press. Similarly, you can prepare coffee of different strength by varying the coffee grind’s type and size.

Easy to get the desired taste: Since you use coarsely ground coffee, it will take more brewing time. Thus, if you feel that the coffee is not so strong, you can lift the plunger and allow the coffee to brew for some more time to get the desired taste.

What Are the Drawbacks of French Press Coffee?

Using a French press coffee maker has the following drawbacks.

Time-consuming: A French press is a purely manual operation. Thus, it is time-consuming. You need to pay special attention to get the precise brewing. French press may not be a good option if you want to make a quick cup of coffee before heading out.

Difficult to maintain: Cleaning a French press is not so easy. Sometimes you might notice residues might get stuck at the bottom of the beaker which can be difficult to clean. If it is not cleaned properly, it can alter the taste of the coffee.

Need constant attention: Since a French Press is a manual device, you need to keep a close watch when the coffee is being brewed. Otherwise, it will result in over-extraction, which can affect the taste of the coffee.

What is an Espresso Machine?

An espresso is a specialized machine that is used to express coffee brew called espresso. In this machine, you make use of pressurized water near the boiling point to brew coffee. The espresso machine was first developed in Italy more than a century ago.

In an espresso machine, you will find a porta filter that holds the coffee grinds. The portafilter is like a metal basket that you can attach to the device. The machine also comes with a tank where you can store the water. The pump in the machine takes the water from the reservoir to the filter. The heat exchanger or boiler connected to the device heats the water for making the brew. The device also comes with a hot water tap and a steam wand for steaming milk.

How to Brew Coffee in an Espresso Machine?

Brewing coffee in an espresso machine is easy though it involves the following steps.

Before you start brewing the coffee, you should ensure that the coffee is ground at the right consistency. This ensures that you get coffee of the right strength. It should neither be too powdery that the brew becomes strong nor should it be coarse. Through the trial and error method, you will be able to figure out the perfect grind for the machine.

First, you should preheat the espresso machine. The machine will take at least 25 minutes for preheating.

Next, fill the portafilter with ground coffee and tamp it. This ensures that the coffee bed is flat and even. You should write down the quantity you added so that you remain consistent while preparing coffee later.

Now lock the portafilter onto the head. You will generally hear a clicking sound once you fix it properly.

Now place a cup underneath the faucet spout. Press the shot button for brewing. You can express a single or double shot depending on the size of the shot.

What Are the Advantages of Brewing in an Espresso Machine?

There are various advantages of using an espresso machine.

No special skill needed: An espresso machine is rather easy to use and does not require any special skills. All you have to do is to press a button or two. Your freshly brewed espresso coffee will be ready in seconds.

Cost-effective in the long run: An espresso machine can be a big investment. But for avid coffee lovers who visit a coffee shop every other day, investing in an espresso machine is cost-effective. They can save a lot of money in the long run.

Creates the right ambiance: Having an espresso machine in the office adds to its customer friendliness. Instead of feeling bored and waiting in the office, customers can sip a cup of espresso.

What Are the Drawbacks of Using an Espresso Machine?

Occupies space: An espresso machine is not a good choice for a home. It occupies space and may not gel with the ambiance of the house.

Availability of substitute: For customers, there are other substitutes for making espresso coffee like the instant espresso coffee powder. Thus, they may not be ready to spend a lot on the machine.

Not a preferred choice for all: Not all people like the taste of an espresso coffee. Thus, it is not good to invest in an espresso machine unless you are running a coffee shop.

French Press vs Espresso