There’s no denying that espresso is an absolute should for a morning kickstart. In actual fact, in a 2024 research carried out by the Nationwide Espresso Affiliation, 75 p.c of People loved a minimum of one cup of espresso per week. And for individuals who love a powerful, full-bodied brew, French presses are laborious to beat. This basic technique affords a wealthy, flavorful cup that highlights the nuances of your favourite beans.
“The French press is basically a pure immersion brewing technique that allows you to extract most taste out of your espresso beans,” says Johny Morrison, a former barista and low blogger at Espresso About. “What makes it particular is that it permits the espresso oils and high quality particles to stay in your cup, making a full-bodied expertise you’ll be able to’t get from paper-filtered strategies like pour-over espresso.”
That can assist you improve your espresso recreation, we rounded up the eight finest French presses to your good morning sip, all beneficial by Morrison and different espresso specialists. Glad brewing!
How precisely does a French press work?
In essence, a French press is only a huge filter. “The espresso grounds sit with the water, and steep for the complete brew time of 4 to 5 minutes,” says Heather Perry, CEO and two-time U.S. champion barista of Klatch Espresso. After you let it steep, you plunge the filter by to “press” the grounds out out of your espresso.“In contrast with different brewing strategies, a French press produces a powerful, daring cup of espresso, because of the approach it retains oils and flavors.”
Perry recommends utilizing the next 5 steps to make a scrumptious cup of French press espresso:
- Grind your espresso beans: Grind your espresso beans to a rough, even dimension—“much like that of sea salt or kosher salt,” she says.
- Test the ratio: Making the proper cup of espresso with a French press is all about ensuring you will have the best mix of water and low grounds. “A terrific start line for utilizing a French press is a 13:1 ratio of water to espresso,” Perry says. To get the ratio proper, measure out 55 grams of espresso, add it to the French press, after which add 700 milliliters of scorching water.
- Stir: Rotate the grounds in a round movement for just a few seconds.
- Steep: Earlier than you press, you’ll want to let the espresso bloom. “Enable the brew to steep for about 4 minutes and 30 seconds,” Perry advises.
- Press: Now it’s time for the enjoyable half—the press! After permitting the espresso to steep, push down the plunger and actually press the water into the espresso. Then, depart it down and pour your self a mug.
What to search for in a French press?
Materials
With regards to selecting a French press, you’ll regularly discover variations in glass or chrome steel. “Glass carafes provide the purest style and allow you to watch the brewing course of, however high-quality chrome steel fashions present portability and sturdiness,” Morrison says. He recommends avoiding ones comprised of lower-quality chrome steel since it might probably have an effect on the style poorly.
Capability
Morrison recommends a 32-ounce (aka, a four-cup) French press, as they serve three to 4 folks. “For single customers, I like to recommend a 12-ounce press, to make sure you’re all the time brewing contemporary espresso somewhat than letting it sit,” he says.
Store the 8 finest French presses, in accordance with espresso professionals
Finest total: Espro P7 French Press Espresso Maker – 32 oz. — $120.00
Materials: stainless Metal, polypropylene | Capability: 18 oz. or 32 oz. | Colours: 6
It could be on the pricier facet, however the Espro P7 French press is beloved for good motive.“It actually is value each penny,” Morrison says. He likes the particular double micro-filter system, which he says “delivers the cleanest French press espresso you’ll ever style, with zero grit in your cup.” He additionally loves the chrome steel development and the way straightforward it’s to scrub.
The scrumptious options don’t cease there. This French press is designed with a patented AirLock system, which stops the extraction instantly after plunging so each cup tastes precisely the identical, even hours after you’ve brewed it. You’ll be able to select from two sizes—18 ounces or 32 ounces—and quite a lot of colours and finishes. That is one French press that’s positive to place some pep in your every day espresso step.
- Distinctive dual-filter system
- Double-wall insulation retains espresso heat hours after brewing
- AirLock retains taste constant
- A number of colours and finishes to select from
Finest funds: Bodum Chambord French Press Espresso Maker — $49.00
Materials: borosilicate glass, chrome steel | Capability: 12 oz., 17 oz., 34 oz., 51 oz. | Colours: 1
Whereas some French presses are pretty expensive, this one by Bodum rings up underneath $50—and nonetheless makes a reasonably spectacular cup of espresso, in addition. “It’s a stable alternative that provides spectacular worth,” Morrison says. He particularly likes this French press’s three-piece filter, which “truly retains the grounds out of your cup,” he says.
On the fence about whether or not to decide on a French press comprised of chrome steel or glass? Effectively, that is your finest wager, because of a mix of a carafe in heat-resistant, borosilicate glass and a chrome steel lid and body. You can even select from quite a lot of capacities, so whether or not you’re brewing for one or six, there’s a dimension for you.
- Inexpensive
- A number of sizes to select from
- Distinctive triple-filter retains grounds out of espresso
- Single-walled insulation
- Plunger will be wobbly
Finest glass: Yield French Press — $85.00
Materials: borosilicate glass, chrome steel, Copper | Capability: 850ml | Colours: 2
For a French press that delivers on model as a lot as high quality, this one from Yield is hard to beat. “We use these for our French press service at our boutique cafe,” says Lindsey Sozio, founding father of Lavender Espresso Boutique in Denver, including that it’s “an exquisite glass French press choice.” It’s crafted from heat-proof borosilicate glass to resist excessive warmth, and it seems extraordinarily stylish doing it. It additionally has a chrome steel mesh filter and a copper pull. Simply watch out with this one—it’s glass, in any case.
- Stunning design
- Crafted from heat-proof glass that may face up to excessive warmth
- A number of colours to select from
- Shatter danger
- Have to be hand-washed
Finest chrome steel: Frieling Double-Walled Stainless Metal French Press — $100.00
Materials: chrome steel | Capability: 17 oz., 23 oz., 36 oz. | Finishes: 2
Some French presses simply look like they’re going to be good at what they do—and Frieling is actually certainly one of them. The gleaming chrome steel exterior is as beautiful as it’s practical, because of a two-stage filter system that retains the grounds and sediment out of your cup. It additionally has a double-walled design so your espresso will keep scorching for hours on finish. We additionally love the longer deal with, which makes this French press straightforward to choose up and pour. Select from polished or brushed chrome steel, in three completely different capacities.
- Double-walled insulation
- Sturdy chrome steel
- Dishwasher protected
- Further lengthy deal with for straightforward dealing with
- Heavier than different fashions
Finest for tenting: Stanley Traditional The Keep-Scorching French Press — $70.00
Materials: stainless eteel | Capability: 48 oz. | Colours: 9
FYI: Stanley does extra than simply the viral tumbler we’ve all come to know and love. This French press is a favourite of Sozio’s. “It’s an insulated, rugged press that can final years and may go alongside in your tenting adventures,” she says. From its large 48-ounce dimension to its vacuum insulation and chrome steel mesh filter, there’s rather a lot to like about this selection. Plus, it is available in all kinds of colours, like cream, black, pink, grey, and olive inexperienced. And, very like its Quencher counterpart, it retains drinks scorching for hours on finish. Simply watch out with it, since it might drip a bit should you jostle it round.
- Stable design makes it very best for outside adventures
- A number of colours to select from
- Massive 48 oz. capability
- Vacuum insulated for further heat
- Could drop and leak when jostled
Finest for journey: Yeti Rambler 34 Oz. French Press — $110.00
Materials: chrome steel | Capability: 34 oz. | Colours: 10
In case your mornings are so packed that each one you’ve obtained time for is a little bit press-and-go motion, this French press is prepared and ready. It’s crafted in sturdy, puncture-resistant chrome steel, with a number of options that make it good for touring. Yeti’s signature GroundsControl Filter—aka, a stable silicone flap—matches over the steel mesh filter to stop sediment from stepping into the espresso, or from water seeping again into the espresso grounds. (A phrase to the clever: It does make plunging a bit harder.)
It additionally has a twist-to-lock lid and it’s designed with double-wall vacuum insulation, so there’s no spillage or cooling down in your commute. I personal it in Wild Vine Crimson, and certainly one of my mates lately instructed me he was so jealous of it that he needs one for himself—so make of that what you’ll.
- Dishwasher protected
- A number of options preserve espresso inside with no leaking, spilling, or cooling
- GroundsControl Filter retains grounds from leaking into espresso
- Massive capability
- Expensive
- Plunger is a bit robust to press down
Finest for newcomers: Fellow Clara French Press — $99.00
Materials: chrome steel | Capability: 24 oz. | Colours: 2
Fellow’s Clara French press is right for newcomers because it’s obtained measurement strains, double-walled chrome steel, and a weighted deal with. It additionally has an enhanced mesh filtration system to maintain out the sediment and silt whilst you sip. The deal with makes for straightforward pouring, and it even comes with a picket persist with stir the grounds to perfection. To not point out it simply seems stylish. That is actually a stable alternative for any French press person.
- Modern design
- Consists of measurement strains to brew an ideal cup
- Enhanced filtration system retains grounds out of espresso
- Solely the mesh filter is dishwasher protected
- Solely two colours
Most trendy: Le Creuset French Press — $85.00
Materials: stoneware | Capability: 34 oz. | Colours: 13
Le Creuset. Want we are saying extra? We are going to, bolstered by Sozio’s approval. “This rustic, basic French press holds warmth nicely and brings a French countryside vibe to your kitchen decor,” she says. It’s crafted from glazed, premium stoneware, which not solely affords implausible warmth retention however is designed to withstand scratches and stains. It additionally has a nonstick end and will be cleaned by hand or within the dishwasher, which units it other than some others on this information. You’ll be able to even put it within the microwave, oven, and freezer. Le Creuset? Sure, approach.
- Stunning design
- A number of colours to select from (extra on Le Creuset’s web site)
- Scratch- and stain-resistant
- Could drip a bit when pouring
- Espresso doesn’t keep scorching so long as it does with glass or chrome steel
FAQs
What are some high suggestions and tips for utilizing a French press?
Perry advises utilizing coarsely floor beans to brew. “That’s considerably coarser than a medium grind, which is what you’ll generally discover because the grind choice on mass-market espresso bought at grocery or comfort shops,” she says. “Begin with complete bean espresso and use a top quality burr grinder or hand grinder—simply ensure the one you will have provides you with evenly floor beans which are constant in dimension.”
Morrison suggests utilizing contemporary medium or dark-roasted beans. “Darkish roast coffees shine significantly nicely in a French press,” he says. “Their daring, sturdy flavors are absolutely extracted by the immersion course of, making a wealthy, full-bodied cup.”
And eventually, “Let the espresso bloom by pouring a small quantity of scorching water onto the grounds and permitting it to degas by sitting for 30 or so seconds,” says Sozio. “Then add the rest of the recent water.”
Can a French press be used to make drinks aside from espresso?
The brief reply? Completely! “A French press has a number of different inventive use circumstances,” says Sozio. She recommends utilizing it to steep looseleaf tea, or to make mulled cider. “Add aromatics like cinnamon sticks, orange peel, and cloves, pour over scorching cider to steep, and pressure with the plunger,” she says. “So cozy!”
Morrison additionally loves utilizing a French press for milk frothing or for making chilly brew espresso. “French press is my favourite for making refreshing chilly brew espresso in the summertime,” he says.
