Warm, comforting, and always greets you when you get out of bed. Your furry friend? Sweetheart? We’re thinking of coffee. If you need something to sip to get started with work, or just feel like giving yourself a treat, a coffee fix is what you might need. With so many kinds of blends and brews, you can find a cup that will suit your taste.
The market continues to roll out new models of coffee makers made to take home that cozy cafe experience. Among the popular types of coffee makers, the AeroPress and french press are often compared to each other, and so, we’ve listed their pros and cons to help you decide on which one could come home with you and might give your beans the best brew.
Coffee maker tip: to make the most out of every roast, buy a fresh stash of coffee beans weekly to get a fuller flavor. The water should also be about 200 degrees celsius, which is about a minute or less from bringing it to a full boil.
The French Press – A Deep, Delightful Kiss of Caffeine
Although it does sound romantic, the french press still does get some action to it, except it will only be your lips and the mouth of a mug getting that french kiss in the end. The french press has a plunger to extract the coffee grounds slowly as it is immersed in the water.
You have total control over how long you want to brew the coffee as you plunge it yourself, but brewing it for too long will result in a strong and bitter flavor. If you want to share or maybe have a whole pot just for you, the Frenchie can make up to eight cups of coffee for about 60 to 70 grams of coffee grounds per litre. Once you have reached the bottom of the beaker, the filter at its base will separate the grounds from the brew. A common problem here, though, is that some of the oil and sludge from the coffee grounds still manages to seep through.
>> Related article: Best Travel French Press
The oil and sludge that’s left behind can also leave a lot of mess that can be tough to clean and should be properly disposed of; grounds that are too coarse and large may end up clogging the drainage. Besides a piping hot cup of a roast of your choice, the french press is flexible, where you can also brew tea leaves and an ice-cold coffee too. If you keep the coffee brewing long enough (about four minutes average), you can get a bold and flavorful blend.
- Cold-brew capable
- Rich, full-bodied coffee flavor because of its stainless steel filters
- Programmable or Set-and-forgettable (with 3+ minute brewing time)
- Brew multiple cups all at once without starting over
- More forgiving for novice coffee brewers
- Fewer options in making hot drinks
- Oils and grit may cause muddy flavor
- May leave your mouth feeling heavy
- Most models not suitable for travel
- Better for coarse grinds (less for extra fine ones)
The AeroPress – Light and Airy
By the name alone, you m
ight think this device brews on propellers or just blows up beans into a hot drink – cool, right? Well, the AeroPress does not actually work that way, but the air is involved. Amazingly, it uses air pressure to plunge out the flavor from the coffee grounds after being steeped in hot water. The AeroPress brew is a kind of its own, but many people who swear by it say that it is similar to espresso.
If you like your coffee on the go, the AeroPress has been designed to come along with you on trips, to work, or just a little corner of your kitchen thanks to its compact size. Making your coffee will only take a jiffy at about two minutes brewing time due to the intense pressure. However, using an AeroPress will require some practice to get your ideal brew, so you might end up with a cup that is too bland or too bitter for you at the first few tries. It only needs about a spoonful of coffee grounds to make a small cup, which should be taken note of. Since it only makes a solo serving, your friends and co-workers are going to have to line up for their AeroPress style espresso.
>> Related Article: Full AeroPress Review
There is also no need for any barista experience because the press is easy to use, even for starters. The sleek design of the device is easy to clean and can prepare your coffee with barely any mess. There are specific filters for the AeroPress, though, so maybe consider stocking on them when you get one.
- Clean and bright flavor because of the paper filters
- Easy and super quick to prepare and brew (in just 1 to 3 minutes in total)
- Coffee Hot-brew versatility(either coarse or fine grind)
- Suitable for small coffee in-demand or single-serve capacity
- Durable plastic (enough to travel)
- Cannot make cold coffee brew
- Not suitable for serious caffeine addicts or coffee-families
- Less forgiving coffee brewing method for newbies
AeroPress Versus French Press
Filters and Flavor
No matter what coffee-press tool you want to use, you’ll end up with a hot, rich, and satisfying cup of coffee that you can enjoy anytime and anywhere. But, there could be slight nuances when it comes to the flavor you’ll get from AeroPress and French press because of the filters, so you have to also consider it.
You’ll get a paper filter using an AeroPress. Coffee experts highly recommend using a paper filter for AeroPress brewing machines. A metal filter can be purchased from a third party, but most manufacturers don’t recommend doing so. With paper filters, it could result in a low-acid, smooth, and clean-tasting beverage. But you’ll be missing the flavorful coffee oils that French press provides with its coffee having a signature body.
>> Also read: Bodum Brazil French Press Review
French press, on the other hand, uses stainless steel mesh filters, admitting the oils and a little sediment or grit in your final coffee brew. It creates a rich, full-bodied coffee brew that a lot of coffee fans love. However, there are some coffee connoisseurs who complain about experiencing heavy mouthfeel. Also, the messy cup result is less desirable, which is potentially muddy for certain beans.
Durability
You have to take into consideration the durability of the tool you’ll be using to brew your coffee when choosing between AeroPress and French Press. A French press is highly recommended for those who stay at home and experience regular wear-and-tear kitchen usage. It’s a heavy-duty type of brewer as compared to AeroPress.
However, if you want to bring coffee brewers for your camping adventures, think twice about getting French Press. While the stainless steel and borosilicate glass carafe combo have average durability and can withstand minor scrapes and bumps, toting it around in your backpack isn’t exactly ideal.
With an AeroPress, you can travel really well because its BPA-free plastic bodies have no problem inside your picnic basket or backpack. It’s a great travel buddy, most especially if you’re into independent traveling or backpacker tour, giving you freshly brewed coffee every time you need it. However, it’s not designed to sit around to brew in refrigerators or on countertops for a long time.
Brewing Capacity
When it comes to brewing capacity, AeroPresses are specifically designed to hold about 6 to 8 ounces. It means that they’re single-serve coffee brewers, perfect for college students and singles who want a quick cup of coffee. AeroPress is a great buddy in condos and bachelor’s pads for young professionals and single-living individuals. It’s not really applicable to an entire household of coffee fanatics or large gatherings.
>> Related: Bodum Chambord French Press Review
On the other hand, French presses tend to hold up to 35 ounces, which makes them a better option for those who want to fuel a person who wants more than one cup of coffee or several heads. French Press is a great addition to your kitchen if you love entertaining guests regularly, a large group to satisfy, or you have a large family.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When compared to other brewing methods, does French Press brew a stronger coffee?
French press coffee isn’t necessarily stronger as compared to other brew methods. The coarse filter mesh that is often used in French presses allows more natural oils from coffee beans and solids to pass, which adds a richer flavor to your cup of coffee.
Does AeroPress Coffee Have Less Caffeine?
Caffeine content is highly dependent on the coffee bean selection as well as water to coffee ratio than the brewing method.
How Do You Need to Grind Coffee Beans For An AeroPress?
Experts recommend espresso grind or a fine drip. Some coffee companies recommend grinding coffee beans until the texture reaches that of coarse sea salt.
Conclusion
With different flavors and advantages, both the French Press and AeroPress have a lot to offer for coffee lovers and first-timers. However you like your coffee, there is no better way to brew it by adding a personal touch when you make it in the comfort of your home, accompanied by the warmth of a fresh cup in your hands.
