The Benefits and Advantages of a French Press Coffee Maker

Sometimes, the most simple and fundamental of methods and contraptions are often the ones that produce the best results. Such as the case of the humble French press, which is also known by other names: coffee press, coffee plunger, press pot, cafetiere, or cafeteria.

A French press coffee maker does not come with electrical cords or batteries, or may not have the bells and whistles found in other sophisticated coffee makers. However, coffee purists praise the French press coffee maker exactly because of its simplicity and the ability to produce the best-tasting coffee.

A French press consists of a container (made either of glass or very tough plastic) and a plunger. This type of coffee maker works best with coarser coffee grounds compared to other methods like the coffee filter. All you have to do is put the coarsely ground coffee into the container, add the boiling water and then let it seep for a few minutes. However, you can let the coffee grounds seep in the hot water a little longer if you want a stronger brew. When the desired strength and flavor of your coffee are reached, gently press the plunger down into the container. This action will force the coffee grounds through the filter, and push them down into the bottom of the container.

Once these steps are done, you can pour out your freshly brewed coffee into your cup. You must do it so immediately or else letting the coffee stay longer in the pot will cause it to become bitter — in an unpleasant way.

Here are some of the advantages of the French press that might make you decide to buy one:

1. Unique brewed coffee taste and aroma

The taste of coffee brewed from a French press is quite different compared to the taste of coffee brewed from other methods like the drip coffee or espresso machine. You may want a light coffee taste or a stronger one depending on the amount of the coffee grounds or the amount of water you put in, or how long you allow to brew it. These factors will definitely impact the flavor and aroma of your coffee. If you haven’t had coffee brewed from a French press, then it might be the time for you to try brewing coffee using one.

2. Easy to use, clean and store.

Needless to say, a French press coffee is easy to use and clean. It also doesn’t take up too much space in your kitchen. It consists of only two parts — the container and the lid/plunger. That’s it! It doesn’t get any simpler.

3. You can carry it anywhere

Another thing that endears many coffee enthusiasts to the French press is its portability. There are French press coffee makers specifically made for traveling — instead of glass, the cylinder or container is made of very tough plastic. Take the French press with your hiking, camping, or mountain climbing for fresh brewed coffee anywhere.

4. More control over the temperature of the water

Electric coffee makers are the ones that decide the temperature of the water to be used when brewing coffee. But with a French press coffee maker, it’s in your control on how hot you would like the water to be to achieve your preferred taste of a brewed coffee.

5. It makes a healthier coffee

The French press doesn’t use a filter unlike other coffee makers. Instead, you use the plunger to press the coffee grounds down to the bottom of the container which lets the essential oils diffuse out to the boiling water. In this way, it releases the nutrients and antioxidants that will end up in your coffee cup. Not to mention that the French press also makes a much fuller coffee flavor compared to other coffee makers.

There may be a lot of top rated coffee makers that manufacturers are trying to drum into the customers’ minds. However, more and more coffee lovers swear by the French press as one of the best coffee makers they’ve ever used. You may become one of the fans of the French press, too! First though, you may have to do a bit more research (such as reading more coffee maker reviews) to help you decide if the French press is the ultimate coffee maker you’re looking for.