When pouring a fragrant drink from a traditional teapot into a cup, we don’t even think about any other brewing method. Meanwhile, many believe that a French press is better suited for tea drinking, since thanks to a special device, the notes of the tea bouquet are revealed stronger and brighter.
In Europe and the USA, such devices are used to make coffee. In our country, the option with our favorite tea has taken root. Although true coffee lovers claim that the drink prepared using a press with a filter is extremely pleasant and differs from what is obtained in a Turk or a coffee maker. But we are talking about tea now.
French press and teapot: what's the difference?
Connoisseurs of the aromatic drink often have several models for preparing it: for daily use and for holidays. Traditionally, a teapot is a round container with a spout, handle and lid. Additional accessories include a strainer for filtering tea leaves, which is installed under the lid or hung from the spout.
A common option is a ceramic teapot, which retains heat well and is decorated with multi-colored designs and patterns on the outside. For festive tea parties, porcelain dishes are displayed. Among modern models, glass and stainless steel products are popular. It is easy to choose a kettle for a kitchen of any style, from colorful country to laconic Scandinavian or high-tech.
On a note! The round shape was not chosen by chance. It is believed that such kettles retain heat longer.
The brewing process is familiar to everyone: the container is first rinsed with boiling water, the required amount of tea is added, and hot water is added. Leave for 3-5 minutes and pour the aromatic drink into mugs and cups. To prevent particles of tea leaves from getting into the tea, use a strainer.
Another process for preparing tea in French presses. Although their device is simple, it differs from ordinary teapots with a spout. A French press for tea is a cylindrical flask (glass, ceramic, metal) placed in a steel or plastic body with a handle and a stable base. On top there is a lid with a plunger piston and a mesh filter for sifting out grounds.
Advantages and disadvantages
The French press, like any device, has advantages and disadvantages.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| Affordable price | The drink has to be prepared manually |
| The taste of the drink prepared in a teapot is much softer than coffee brewed in a Turk. | To use the coffee maker, you need to boil water. |
| The metal filter reliably protects against unpleasant sediment getting into the cup | You cannot store a finished drink in a French press container. |
| The device allows you to independently determine the time for brewing coffee or tea. This way you can adjust the strength and color of the drink | The flask is made of glass or plastic. Can easily break if handled carelessly |
Which material is preferable
Invented in the mid-19th century and patented at the beginning of the 20th century, the teapot with press had a glass flask. But this is not the only option. Today, stores sell models made of glass, ceramics, and metal.
Glass
Such devices in a metal or plastic case look aesthetically pleasing. Through the transparent walls you can see how the drink is prepared. The familiar procedure seems to remind one of the solemn and sedate tea ceremonies of China. For flasks, heat-resistant and borosilicate glass is used; in cheap models, simply tempered glass.
Premium products from famous brands (for example, Bodum) are made of heat-resistant borosilicate glass, which is particularly durable, light, and shiny. Such French presses are “dressed” in carved metal cases and decorated with intricate decor. Long service life is guaranteed by the manufacturer.
Convenient and practical models with double walls, thanks to which the containers keep the drink hot longer.
Advantages of glass:
- hygiene;
- transparency;
- does not accumulate odor;
- does not come into contact with liquid, does not change the taste of the finished drink.
There is only one “minus” of transparent material - fragility, so caring for glass devices requires care and compliance with the rules.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel flasks are durable and reliable. They look attractive, and the shiny surfaces are ideal for high-tech kitchen interiors.
A metal French press for tea is heavier than a glass one, and the process of brewing the drink is not visible through the walls. But most importantly, according to experts, tea in such a flask is not as tasty and aromatic as in glass vessels.
Ceramics
Despite the fact that the material (and therefore the French presses themselves) is heavier than glass, it is stronger and more durable. Ceramic flasks perfectly reveal the taste and aroma of a natural drink, and retain heat well.
The disadvantage is that the walls are opaque, therefore, as in metal teapots, you cannot see the completion of brewing the drink. But this is not for everyone, since for many the taste characteristics of tea come first.
Plastic
Cheap models of flask presses use polymers. Outwardly, such devices look attractive, but that’s where their advantages end.
There are more “cons”: plastic is short-lived, inferior in service life to ceramics and stainless steel. It comes into contact with liquid. Because of this, the tea comes out with a synthetic (plastic) taste, which, of course, is unacceptable.
Experts assure that the best models have glass and ceramic flasks, while the material and design of the body may vary.
Which design is the most comfortable?
While teapots are usually round, French presses are cylindrical. In such flasks, the filter is completely adjacent to the walls, preventing tea leaves from leaking into the liquid. The devices look laconic and stylish, in full compliance with the requirements of modern interior concepts. They are good as an office option. Traditional teapots in shape and decor are more suitable for the homeliness of a classic-style kitchen.
But if you plan to purchase a teapot, then you need to take into account the main characteristics and recommendations of experts.
Volume
For home tea drinking, it is better to buy models with large-volume flasks - 700-1000 milliliters. This amount of liquid is enough to prepare a drink for several people at a time.
On a note! You can brew tea again in a press only after cleaning the filter and flask from the tea leaves and washing thoroughly.
Small volume devices are more suitable for making coffee.
Piston and screen materials
The classic version is a strong and durable all-metal piston. It is superior to models with plastic parts not only in reliability, but also in terms of neutrality (silicone rings distort the taste of tea).
The piston connects the filter mesh and the device cover. It is set in motion by pressing the hand. A little effort is required. The piston should move smoothly, without distortions or jams.
The filter consists of three layers:
- frame;
- top plate with holes;
- mesh
The latter is made from different materials:
- polymer (nylon);
- stainless steel.
For those who like to brew small-leaf teas, presses with a polymer filter are recommended. Stainless steel is suitable for brewing large leaves, as well as “broken” (broken tea). It is convenient to prepare coarsely ground coffee in such devices.
Frame
The materials used for French presses are very different - plastic, metal, wood. The flask is fixed using special elements (bottom and top) or inserted into the structure according to the principle of a cup holder.
Primary requirements:
- reliability;
- safety (tight fit of all parts);
- hermetically sealed lid.
Metal handles get hot, so models with plastic linings are preferable.
How to choose a French press
To choose a quality tea brewer, you need to pay attention to several important points.
- First you need to choose a kettle of the required volume. If you need to make 1-2 servings of tea at the same time, then a small French press with a volume of 350 ml will be enough. If you need much more drink, it is better to pay attention to liter devices. After all, the contents of the vessel fall into the cups immediately, without subsequent dilution with water.
- Take a good look at the flask. There should be no scratches, cracks or glass defects in the form of bubbles.
- Check whether the flask is firmly attached to the body. It is best if it is fixed with two holders. One of them should be located at the base of the kettle, and the other at the lid.
- Take the press in your hands and try to lower the piston. It should move with force, and the strainer should fit snugly against the walls of the flask. However, you should not choose models with a silicone seal. It gives the drink an uncharacteristic smell and quickly becomes unusable.
- It is important to pay attention to the material from which the product parts are made. The best choice is stainless steel.
- You should not neglect such a thing as an additional flask. Unfortunately, it is this part of the structure that fails most quickly, especially if the device is used by different people.
What kind of tea can be brewed in a French press?
There are no restrictions on the choice of varieties and brands for brewing in a French press. The following varieties are suitable:
- black;
- green;
- white;
- red;
- oolong;
- yellow;
- herbal tea (herbal).
Suitable for brewing in flasks with a press are ginger drinks, as well as those made from berries, fruits, and flower petals (for example, hibiscus). Drinks with apples and cinnamon, black tea brewed with citrus slices, punches with lemon, cloves and cinnamon, and fresh berry juice are delicious.
Rating of the best models
The list includes French presses, noted by customers for their convenience and functionality, original decor and reliability. Presented are premium and budget teapots with a press, affordable for any category of buyers.
A classic of the genre - a press infuser from the Bodum brand. The world-famous family company produces high-quality tableware, including French presses. For tea, we recommend models from the Assam series - with a round flask made of borosilicate glass, a plastic handle, and a steel piston. There is only one drawback - the high cost (4500-5500 rubles).
Reference products include products from BergHOFF. Price - within 2.5-3 thousand. Glass flasks, stainless steel bodies, decorated with reliefs.
For lovers of ceramic teapots, we recommend the surprisingly bright models from Le Creuset (France). They are covered with double glaze, colored enamel (turquoise, purple, cherry, cream, black). They are distinguished by their laconic forms and thoughtful design. Cost - 5000-6000 rubles.
Mid-price French presses are products from the brands Gipfel, Waltz, Rondell (Germany), TalleR, Walmer (UK).
Interesting models:
Walmer Bamboo with heat-resistant glass bulb, steel frame, bamboo lid and handle;
Rondell Wonder RDS-426 in an elegant silver stainless steel case, decorated with plastic overlays (the handle does not heat up);
TalleR TR-2300. It features a laconic design and thoughtful construction. Included is a measuring spoon for brewing. The flask is heat-resistant glass, the body is stainless steel, the decor is high-quality food-grade plastic;
Gipfel 7093 from the CLARIS series. Made of stainless steel. Color: rose gold. The flask is glass, holds heat well;
Set "Waltz", manufacturer Waltz. Includes French press (volume 800 ml), four glasses. The products are dishwasher safe.
Among budget French presses, models from the brands Kukina Raffinata (China), Kaiserhoff (Germany), Vitesse (Russia), Else have positive reviews.
Popular models:
Kukina Raffinata “Classic” (800 ml);
Kaiserhoff. Volume - 1 liter, body - stainless steel, flask - heat-resistant glass;
Vitesse Brianna (800 ml) from a Russian manufacturer. The flask is made of heat-resistant glass, the outer body is made of stainless steel, the handle is bakelite;
Else Hawaii with spoon included. Volume 800 ml. The flask is made of heat-resistant glass, with a reinforced rim of the upper edge and spout (“anti-drop”), the body is stainless steel with chrome plating and perforation. The surface is polished using special pastes that give the shiny elements a bluish glow.
The range of teapots with a filter press includes a variety of models, so everyone can choose a device for preparing their favorite drink.
Device. Principle of operation
A piston brewing vessel consists of two main parts: a piston with a filter element and the vessel itself. The container is built into a housing made of plastic or metal. A plunger with a mesh is attached to the lid. The press holds the drink mixture at the bottom of the flask. A few minutes after brewing, the sediment from the mixture is pressed out with a piston and the mixture remaining at the bottom is compacted. A pure drink remains in the flask. The plunger traps sediment and the handle helps secure the flask as the plunger moves down. Many models have a two-stage filter, which at the first stage isolates large parts (grains, sheets), and the second, with small cells, filters out sediment.
The functionality of such a device is not only to filter the grounds from the drink, but also the pressure of the piston on the mass supports the process when the essential oils from the brewing mixture completely enter the water, accordingly the drink turns out more saturated and the preparation (infusion) time is significantly reduced . Many coffee gourmets choose brewing in a piston vessel as a method of preparing their favorite drink, arguing that this is the only way to fully reveal the qualities of the bean.
Reviews
Alina, Stavropol
I bought a Vitesse Brianna French press on sale. I've been eyeing this model for a long time. I am very pleased, as it turned out that the thing is convenient and irreplaceable in the kitchen. Tea brews quickly, the main thing is to set the time correctly. This makes a rich drink. I didn't regret it.
Inna, Arkhangelsk
For the New Year, I received a Tesse French press from Rondell from a friend. I liked the gift so much that on March 8th I bought the same ones for my mother and aunt. Now we are all happy and don’t even remember how we made tea before. Convenient to use. The kit includes a spare flask, but so far the first one is working properly. The capacious vessel is 600 ml, just enough for tea. There are marks for portions. The body is decorated with laser patterns. I recommend the brand.
