A French press is a very useful and convenient thing to have around the house. This is a teapot, most often made of glass, which has a piston to make brewing tea or coffee more convenient. You can also find devices made of clay or ceramics. The main thing is that the material is heat-resistant. You don't need any special skills to make coffee using a French press. A drink prepared in this way will differ from one prepared in a Turk.
This is what a French press looks like.
How to use
Before using a French press, you must first remove the plunger, then add coffee or tea leaves, pour boiling water, cover with a lid and slowly lower the piston. Before installing the piston, it is advised to stir the contents in the flask with a stick. This gives a richer taste. Some presses have special stands so that you can place a candle there, which makes it possible to constantly maintain the temperature of the drink.
Before pouring boiling water into the French press, let it cool for a few minutes to avoid damaging the device. Choose the amount of coffee and grinding of beans to taste.
To start drinking the drink, you need to wait 3-5 minutes.
Tea made in French press.
What does a standard device consist of?
The French press device is simple. The design consists of several parts, the most important of which are the bulb, piston and filter.
The body consists of the bottom and legs of the device. A flask is installed on them. This is where the aromatic drink is brewed. The container is most often made of heat-resistant glass.
The filter has 3 layers. At the bottom there is a frame, then there is a layer of plastic or metal mesh, the upper tier consists of a metal disk with holes. The filter is attached to the bottom of the plunger (piston). A cap is attached to the top of the plunger.
Benefits and Features
A convenient and practical brewer, French press for coffee, how to use which is described below, has many advantages.
For example:
- amazing aroma of the drink;
- you do not drink the grounds, as they are carefully separated by a filter;
- to make your favorite coffee, you don’t need a stove, you only need a kettle;
- coffee will not be able to burn or escape;
- Even a child can handle a French press;
- easy to care for;
- You can adjust the strength of the coffee.
History of appearance
From time to time, disputes arise about who ultimately invented the French press: the Italians or the French? And to this day the dispute between the “two camps” remains unresolved. There are two versions of the origin of the device:
- The French press was invented by the French. It was in French coffee shops that metal presses appeared in the 1840s, with the help of which coffee grounds dropped to the bottom of the container, leaving a clean, filtered drink on top.
- invented by the Italians. In 1929, Milanese designer Attilio Calimani patented the device of a modern French press, which we see to this day on store shelves and coffee shops. After receiving the patent, mass production was launched at the French Melior factory. And in this version, it was precisely because of the country of manufacture that the name of the press received the prefix “French” (English French).
However, the French press did not immediately become widespread in Europe. Only 16 years later, after the end of World War II (1939-1945), the French press began to gain popularity. appear en masse in coffee shops and everyday life.
How to brew coffee correctly?
To brew coffee correctly, you don't need any special skills. Just follow the instructions.
Warsaw style
Warsaw-style coffee is distinguished by its unusual taste, which is imparted by baked milk:
- Place the coffee in the container.
- Boil the baked milk.
- Pour into a French press.
- Wait for the drink to brew.
Classical
Classic coffee will always help you cheer up and enjoy the taste. And it’s quite easy to prepare:
- Pour dry coffee into the device.
- Pour boiling water from the electric kettle.
- In 5 minutes the drink is ready!
Latte
Latte is one of the most delicious drinks that you can make at home using a French press:
- Place the coffee in the flask.
- Pour boiling water over it.
- Boil the milk.
- If you have a mini cappuccino maker, whip up the foam.
- Pour coffee into a mug.
- Pour milk with foam.
Care Tips
In order for kitchen utensils to last a long time, they need not only to be taken care of, but also to be properly cared for. Experts advise paying attention to the basic details for using and cleaning a French press:
- After finishing drinking tea, you need to thoroughly rinse the body of the teapot. Since a few particles of herbs, tea leaves or berries always remain in the strainer, it must be rinsed especially thoroughly.
- The flask itself needs special cleaning. Due to the use of black tea, traces of plaque remain on the walls made of porcelain, glass or clay. To get rid of it, after each brew, you need to use a thick washcloth, onto which an abrasive cleaning agent, such as soda, is applied.
- Before brewing coffee or tea, it is recommended to pour a small amount of boiling water into the flask. This is necessary to prepare the French press and prevents any damage to the body.
- The kettle requires especially thorough cleaning if you make coffee in it. The grounds that remain have a specific odor. If the smell mixes with tea, the unique aroma of the drink will lose its appeal.
- In order to get rid of heavy dirt on the walls of the flask and the press, it is not advisable to use metal scourers. They are too hard and can leave unsightly scratches on the surface of the kettle. It is enough to use foam sponges.
The teapot with press is easy to use. It will be an excellent assistant in preparing aromatic and tasty drinks that will delight family and friends.
Household appliances Kettle
Features of brewing tea in a French press
Brewing tea is a ritual. Preparing it in a French press has an advantage over chintz, since in the press the tea leaves reveal the aroma and taste more strongly.
Ice lemon tea
Ice tea will always refresh you on a hot day and quench your thirst. There is no need to buy such teas in a store, because they can be prepared at home.
- Brew your favorite tea.
- Cool.
- Add sugar for taste.
- Put lemon in tea.
- The drink is ready.
Indian iced tea
An unusual, sweet, spicy and soothing drink. To prepare it, you need:
- Pour boiling water over the tea leaves.
- Add sugar and ginger.
- Add warm milk to tea.
- Tea is ready.
Tea with fruit juice
Tea with fruit juice is sweet and rich. Both children and adults really like it:
- Brew tea in a French press.
- Cool it down.
- Pour juice with ice.
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.
Rating of the best models
There are a lot of good models of French presses, but sometimes you come across a low-quality product that can spoil the taste of drinks or function poorly. The best models are selected below.
Taller TR-2300
Classic design, volume 600 milliliters. The kettle is very durable and will last a very long time. Made of glass that does not react with the drink and does not spoil the taste.
The teapot costs 600-900 rubles.
Bollire BR-3204
The volume of the kettle is 1 liter. The French press is made of heat-resistant glass and stainless steel. It also has a rubber handle that does not heat up when brewing. A kettle costs 900-1200 rubles.
Mayer & Boch
It is a very compact model. Has a silicone stand. The cost is only 269 rubles.
Planetary Design TP0720
One of the most expensive models. It is a French thermos. Convenient to take with you on nature trips, or drink tea anywhere. Almost impossible to break. But the kettle is quite heavy. Price – 4699 rubles.
Rainstahl
Very beautiful and elegant model. Beautifully decorated. Costs 1619 rubles.
Vitesse Brianna
Beautiful and stylish. Has a large, comfortable rubber handle. Price – 1344 rubles.
Taller TR-2314
Volume 600 milliliters. You can brew Moroccan and Turkish tea. Rather, it is more aesthetic than practical.
Has a copper plated stainless steel cup holder. Cost – 1693 rubles.
French press Dobrynya “berries”
A teapot with an interesting pattern. Costs 417 rubles.
Kukina raffinata "circles"
Suitable for oriental tea drinking. The volume is 600 milliliters. Costs 750 rubles.
Kukina raffinata "geometry"
One of the most budget options. It has an elegant handle that gives the teapot an elegant look. The price is 350 rubles.
Use in everyday life
Professionals call this type of kettle “French press.” Heat-resistant glass is used to make a special flask. Instead, clay, ceramics, earthenware or porcelain can be used, and the press itself is made of stainless steel. The body is usually made of plastic to prevent your hands from coming into contact with the high temperature of the tea poured into the flask. Additionally, the surface of the kettle handle can be rubberized. This is necessary to prevent the dishes from slipping in your hand.
In everyday life, a teapot with a press is usually used to make tea. It is very convenient to brew several servings of a tonic drink. Thanks to the special design of the kettle, you can enjoy excellent taste and aroma. Fans of herbal, berry and fruit teas will especially like it.
Some models of French presses have an additional stand on which it is convenient to place a small candle to maintain a constant temperature of the drink. Lovers of scalding hot tea will not remain indifferent to this invention.
If you brew coffee in a kettle with a press, its aroma and taste will be significantly different from the drink prepared using a Turkish coffee pot. The smell will delight you with its richness and variety.
Warnings
- If you pour too much water into the press or press the plunger too hard, the water may splash out and burn you.
- Research suggests that unfiltered coffee may cause elevated LDL cholesterol levels. If you're watching your cholesterol levels, talk to your doctor or filter your coffee through an unbleached paper filter, although this will change the taste of the coffee. The French press is not intended for additional filtering.
- The grounds are the secret enemy of the French press. Even good coffee grinders or coarse grinding do not protect against small amounts of coffee dust. If you don't let the thickener settle, your first sip will be unpleasant and gritty. You will also notice grounds at the bottom of the cup as you finish your coffee. That's where she should stay.
Caring for the device after use
After use, remove the piston and discard the remaining contents. When rinsing, it is advisable to ensure that there are no remaining coffee grounds left anywhere in the piston, otherwise they will adversely affect the taste of the coffee during subsequent brewing.
It is recommended to disassemble and clean the filter from time to time. The main thing is to remember the placement of the parts so that you can assemble them later.
The glass flask must not only be rinsed, but also washed well with a kitchen sponge. Long-term use leads to the accumulation of a brownish coating on its walls, which is then difficult to remove.
What type of coffee is better to choose?
A French press is convenient because you can make any type of coffee in it. But the best ones will be the expensive single-origin varieties, such as Kopi Luwak, Jamaica Blue Mountain, and Green Bourbon “St. Helena.”
Today, if you try hard, you can find coffee blends specifically designed for the French press.
The device is also convenient because you can immediately pour spices into it,
if you like to add them to your drink. Please keep in mind that coffee is prepared very quickly using this method, and not all spices will be able to manifest themselves in such a short time. You can brew the spices in advance and pour the resulting decoction into coffee - use it instead of water.
Assembly
The device consists of the following parts:
- Piston (looks like a small metal tube with a wheel).
- Bushing (small part that looks like a square).
- Wheel with holes.
- Mesh wheel.
- Mechanical wheel with spring.
How to assemble a French press:
- We connect parts 1 and 2.
- We assemble the wheels into the correct sequence 3,4,5.
- We insert the piston and bushing into the three wheels.
- We tighten the lower bushing on the end of the piston.
- The filter is assembled. We insert it inside the case.
- The French press is ready to use!
If the device needs to be repaired, carefully disassemble it, clean the parts and put it back together.
