Are you asking yourself, “what is a French press coffee maker?” If so, learn about this device, its benefits, and its drawbacks below!
What is a french press coffee maker? Can you use this to make better coffee than a typical coffee maker can produce?
If you are anything like me, you are heavily involved in coffee culture. You have tried ground coffee (made with a coffee grinder) and drip coffee using a drip coffee maker. You have tried dark roast, light roast, and various coffee grind varieties.
You might have even asked a barista at the espresso machine if there is a new brewing method you should try. That is where a French press coffee maker enters the picture.
So, how does a french press coffee maker work? Learn more about what you can do with this type of coffee maker below!
How Does A French Press Coffee Maker Work?
A French press coffee maker is a device that is used to extract the best flavor possible from coffee. It is made up of a round, carafe with a lid and a plunger. The carafe is made out of plastic, stainless steel, or glass. The plunger fits perfectly inside the carafe.
To use the coffee maker, you will place coffee and hot water inside the carafe. Let a pot of boiling water sit for one or two minutes before you add it to the machine. The coffee will brew for a few minutes.
Then, you will apply downward force using the plunger. The plunging motion forces the coffee grounds to the bottom of the carafe.
That is all you have to do to use a French press coffee maker! It is one of the simplest ways to brew coffee. Many people have fallen in love with it because not only does it produce delicious, brewed coffee but it is all so simple to use.
What Makes A French Press Coffee Maker Different?
Clearly, the process of making coffee using a French press coffee maker is different. With a French press, your coffee grounds are going to mix directly with the brewing water. This leads to greater retention of the essential oils, aroma, and flavor of the coffee.
Traditional coffee makers use a mesh filter and or paper filters to remove grounds and powder before the coffee is brewed and poured into the cup. Because of the French press process, the liquid is usually thicker with a stronger flavor than traditional coffee.
In addition, you might also notice more sediment in a cup of coffee made with a French press coffee maker. This sediment is made up of coffee grounds that might have remained in the liquid after the French press process.
One important thing to note is that you should try to drink your coffee quickly after it is made with a French press machine. Because there are small coffee grounds that tend to sit at the bottom of the cup, your drink may develop a bitter taste.
The coffee grounds at the bottom of your cup continue to release oils, making the liquid more bitter as time goes by. If you like a bitter flavor in your coffee, you may want to let the cup sit for a few minutes so the coffee grounds release oils into your cup.
What Are the Benefits And Drawbacks of Using the Best French Press Coffee Maker?
Is a French press coffee maker for you? Some of the benefits of using a French press coffee maker for coffee lovers include:
- When compared to a traditional coffee maker, a French press is usually less expensive. It is possible to find lots of affordable French press coffee makers online.
- Clearly, using a French press coffee maker is relatively straightforward. You simply have to add coffee grounds to hot water and apply pressure.
- A French press coffee maker comes in all shapes and sizes. If you would like to make multiple cups of coffee at the same time, all you have to do is buy a larger french press coffee maker. The process is just as quick.
Some of the drawbacks of using a French press coffee maker that coffee drinkers should note include:
- When compared to a traditional pour-over coffee maker, a French press takes longer to clean.
- Because a French press coffee maker leaves coffee grounds behind at the end of the process, this could cause your perfect cup to taste bitter if you let it sit for too long.
- If the water is too hot when you pour it into the French press machine, you will burn the beans, leading to a bitter taste.
If you are able to use a French press effectively, you can create a thick, flavorful cup of great coffee.
Final Word on What Is A French Press Coffee Maker
A French press coffee maker is a simple, straightforward device that uses pressure and hot water to extract flavor from coffee grounds. After you make coffee using a French press machine, try to drink it quickly to prevent your coffee from becoming too bitter.
If you are interested in trying a new type of coffee brewing, give a French press coffee machine a whirl!
FAQs About the French Press Coffee Maker
How hot does the water have to be before I add it to the French press?
The water temperature should be hot but not boiling. If the water is boiling, you will burn the coffee beans. Bring the water to a boil, turn the heat off, and let it sit for 1 to 2 minutes before you add it to the glass carafe.
Why is my coffee so bitter after I use a French press machine?
You might be letting your coffee sit for too long before you drink it. If you let French press coffee sit for too long, the coffee grounds in the cup release their oils, making your drink bitter.
