The prototype of the modern French press appeared in 1840, and already in 1900 the first industrial design of the “Cafeolette” appeared on store shelves and began to gain popularity. At the beginning of the twentieth century, a Milanese designer received a patent for a modern French press and launched production at the French Melior factory; this device got its name from the country of origin. History of the French Press on Wikipedia.
Sometimes this method of making coffee is criticized for being too dusty, but with the help of a regular French press, which is found in every home, you can please yourself and your loved ones with an aromatic and invigorating drink every morning.
Preparing coffee and milk aperitifs
How to make a delicious latte coffee in a manual brewer? The first step is similar: prepare coffee, which will take less than half a glass in latte and cappuccino, and more in macchiato.
Heat milk for coffee to 50 degrees using a microwave or stove. Pour into a coffee pot (no more than half the volume), close the lid. Frothing milk for a latte is simple: just quickly raise/lower the piston. Repeat the movements about 20 times - you should get a fluffy foam.
Pour freshly brewed coffee into an empty cup, after half a minute add milk with foam. Maintain a 30-second interval - the temperature difference gives an appetizing appearance to the drink.
Step-by-step instruction
Let's take a step-by-step look at how to use the teapot, revealing the taste qualities of the selected blend.
- Rinse the device with hot water.
- Add ground coffee - 1.5 tbsp. spoons (about 25 grams of coffee).
- Slowly pour in water - 1/3 of 200 ml.
- Stir, wait 1 minute for the tea leaves to infuse.
- Pour in the remaining water, cover with a lid, raising the filter to a level so that it does not touch the surface.
- Leave for 3-4 minutes – the coffee will brew.
- Lower the plunger slowly without splashing the contents.
- Pour into cups without squeezing out every last drop.
Try to keep in mind how many servings you need. It is allowed to store the drink, but be sure to pour it into a separate container.
Grind: fresh and even
- Use
a quality coffee grinder that
produces an even grind of the desired size. Electric household coffee grinders are not suitable, they chop coffee, the grinding results are very different: from fine dust to large pieces - Grind your coffee just before brewing
. Ground coffee quickly loses its aroma
- If you don't have a suitable coffee grinder at home, you can grind the coffee at a coffee shop, but in small quantities, 3-5 days in advance, to preserve the aroma
How to make coffee in a French press
A classic French press is a cylindrical container made of heat-resistant glass (less commonly, stainless steel or ceramic) with a lid into which a piston (plunger) with a filter is inserted. It would seem that everything is simple. You need to pour ground coffee into a container, close it, lower the press - and the invigorating drink is ready. But the taste of coffee brewed in a French press depends on many little things: the type of beans, roasting method, grinding, water quality, brewing time.
Choosing coffee for a French press
It is best to prepare 100% Arabica beans in a French press, and experienced baristas prefer single varieties, although mixtures are also acceptable.
Coffee made from a mixture of Arabica and Robusta, prepared in a French press, is too bitter. But even lovers of bitterness are not recommended to use blends that contain more than 10% robusta. Delicious coffee is obtained from medium roast beans: Viennese, Full City. If you like sourness, you can use lighter roasted coffee.
The coffee grind for a French press should be coarse to medium. If the grains are ground into dust, then a suspension of tiny particles will remain in the cup. Grinding uniformity is of great importance. Only if the size of the fractions is approximately the same, all the nuances inherent in the variety will appear in the taste and aroma of the drink.
Uneven grinding will cause the coffee to taste rougher. This partly explains the dislike of professional baristas for mixtures with Robusta: its grains are harder than Arabica, and accordingly, the particles are larger.
Burr grinders grind beans much more evenly than blade grinders. If you have a choice, it is better to grind coffee for brewing in a French press using a burr grinder.
Stores sell ready-made ground coffee, but the drink made from beans crushed immediately before preparation is more aromatic. At home, ground coffee is stored in hermetically sealed containers for no longer than 2 weeks.
Water for coffee
Tap water, even boiled water, is not suitable for brewing coffee in a French press. As a last resort, such water can be purified using an aquafilter or an ozonizer. But bottled water with a mineralization index of 150 mg/l (or at least in the range of 70–200 mg/l) is much preferable.
Ingredients:
- ground coffee – 7-9 grams;
- water – 100 ml;
- sugar - to taste.
Step-by-step recipe for making French press coffee
- Before brewing coffee in a French press, rinse the French press flask with hot water at a temperature of about +70 °C (a little lower or higher, but never boiling water).
- Place ground coffee into the flask at the rate of 7–9 g per 100 ml of water. One level teaspoon holds approximately 3 g of crushed beans, with a heap - up to 5 g. If you need to prepare a full container of drink, it is easier to focus on the handle of the French press: pour coffee powder exactly to the level where its lower part is attached .
- Pour some room temperature water into the flask (just enough to moisten the ground coffee) and stir.
- After 15–20 seconds, add hot water at a temperature of +85 to +92 °C into the flask. The water level should not be higher than the fastening of the upper edge of the handle. Never brew coffee with boiling water! If the vessel is glass, then before pouring hot water, lower a metal spoon into it: even heat-resistant glass does not always withstand temperature changes.
- Stir the coffee and cover with a lid. Do not lower the piston. The filter should be 1 cm above the water level.
- Brewing time: 4–7 minutes. After 4–5 minutes, you get moderately strong, aromatic coffee with noticeable sourness. If you want to get a stronger drink, you can extend the brewing for a few minutes. But starting from the 4th minute of brewing, the bitterness of coffee increases significantly; the concentration of not only caffeine, but also harmful substances in it increases.
- Slowly lower the piston and immediately pour the brewed coffee into cups; do not leave it in the flask. Add sugar to taste.
- After preparing coffee, the French press should be washed as soon as possible: it makes no difference whether it is in the dishwasher or under the tap. If you don’t have time to wash dishes, then you should at least leave the flask open: it’s better for the coffee grounds to dry out, rather than for the container and filter to acquire a musty smell that is difficult to get rid of.
The recipe given is basic. To make the drink original, add cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, lemon or orange zest to the ground coffee. You can use a French press to brew store-bought coffee with flavors.
If you need to make a latte or cappuccino, quickly move the piston to easily whip hot milk into foam (the temperature should not be lower than +60 °C).
Story
The French coffee pot - also known as the French press - was developed back in the 19th century by the first avid coffee drinkers. Then it was customary to serve hot drinks for dinner and when receiving guests, a coffee pot for 2-3 people was brought to the table, which also served as a thermos. The inventors of old times took care to strain the finished drink - the grounds no longer interfered with enjoying the aromatic drink with desserts and buns.
The French press allowed us to solve several problems at once: retain heat in the liquid, achieve optimal strength of the brew and adjust it to your taste, and also easily filter the finished drink.
Selection of ingredients
How to brew coffee to get the perfect drink? Let's share our tricks.
Coffee should be brewed in pre-purified/bottled water at a temperature of 92-95 degrees. Boil the kettle, wait half a minute - the water is ready to use. What is the optimal grind? Buy ground beans in their original packaging or grind them yourself in a coffee grinder, choosing a coarse (coarse) coffee grind.
How many spoons should you use? Baristas use ratios in a wide range - from 1:10 to 1:18. If you put lightly roasted ground beans into a French press, the quantity increases. During heat treatment, grains lose less moisture and, accordingly, weigh more.
Try starting with the standard recipe: 1.5 heaped tablespoons of coffee per 200 ml. After tasting, you will understand how to prepare coffee according to your personal requirements.
Rating of the best models
As you already understand, the model range of French presses differs only in design, manufacturing materials and the integrity of the manufacturer.
To simplify the choice, we have compiled our own small rating of manufacturers whose products we have already evaluated in practice. As always, we warn you about the complete subjectivity of the approach. It is based only on our own impression at the “like-dislike” level.
1 place. Bodum
The Danish brand is represented by a whole constellation of French presses of different sizes and designs. Colored lids, comfortable handles that do not heat up, durable borosilicate glass and metal filters. The dishes last a long time, and cost quite a lot of money - from 2.5 thousand rubles.
2nd place. Bialetti
Coffee lovers know this name very well from geyser coffee makers. Bialetti French presses are distinguished by decent build quality and production. A definite plus is the comfortable and durable handles. Even a liter coffee pot, full to the brim, is not scary to lift with such handles. The price starts from 2.6-2.8 rubles.
3rd place. Hario
The Japanese brand specializes in making tableware, and pour-overs have brought it worldwide fame. French presses made in Japan are durable, stylish in design and reliable in construction. Comfortable handles and stands, strong lids, metal mesh filter. The biggest drawback is the high price. A miniature press of 240 ml will cost from 1.5-2 thousand rubles.
4th place. Tescoma
Chinese cookware brand has a good reputation. French presses cannot boast of a variety of designs, but they are practical. Comfortable handles, good piston stroke. The downside is that they need to be dried after use, otherwise they can quickly rust. Cost – from 1.5 thousand rubles.
5th place. Taller
Chinese products have a traditionally affordable price. Among the minuses, we note that the design of the handle and lid is not always successful. In many models they are metal and heat up quickly. But the price from 600 rubles is very attractive.
Secrets, life hacks and useful tips
Perhaps these recommendations will tell you how to brew coffee in a French press even better:
- You can add spices, both ground and whole. But if you use the cold method, remember that they will also be extracted all the time, causing the flavor of the spices to be very intense, even too intense.
- It is often recommended to use a wooden spoon for stirring, as the metal supposedly oxidizes in boiling water. But in fact, there is no difference, except that you can break a glass flask with a large metal spoon.
- Rinse the press immediately after use: coffee oils become clogged in the mesh, dry out, and give the drink a musty smell.
- You should not grind nuts, seasonings and other products in a coffee grinder, as microparticles will remain and be mixed into the grain.
- In general, it is recommended to brew Indonesian coffee (Java, Sumatra, Bali and other regions) not for 4 minutes (1 for steaming and 3 waiting), but for 6 minutes, so the taste will develop better.
Experiment with grinding, steeping time and other parameters, and as a result you will learn how to prepare the perfect drink according to your preferences. Any standards are not a dogma, but only a guide.
A selection of popular brands and models
Vitesse
There are a lot of French presses on the domestic market, but the Vitesse brand stands out among them. The company offers functional, durable and convenient solutions for every taste, and most consumers note that this is one of the very worthy brands in terms of price-quality ratio. We consider all the features of Vitesse French presses.
About company
Some websites list France as the country of origin, but this is not the case. The word “French” and the name are misleading - “Vitesse” translated from French means “speed”.
In fact, everything is made in China. But this is not a banal cheap stamping of disposable teapots that crack after a short time, but a very high-quality product, manufactured under the supervision of experts. As a result, the Vitesse Chinese French press lasts a really long time and is very convenient to use. Manufacturing in China allows us to reduce the cost of production and offer high-strength teapots at prices quite affordable to the mass consumer.
Range
All Vitesse French presses are designed according to the same principle, as, in general, are the others. This is a cylindrical flask in which a piston moves with a filter sieve that settles the grounds.
Design and execution may vary:
- The flask is made of special heat-resistant glass or stainless steel;
- Body - made of figured or full stainless steel, nickel-plated steel, optionally - double glass, regular or heat-resistant plastic;
- Handle – bakelite, stainless steel, plastic, heat-resistant glass;
- The filter is exclusively stainless steel. By the way, they can be purchased separately;
- The lid is usually stainless steel, as it is connected to a mesh filter.
Any Vitesse French press model can be washed in the dishwasher.
Collections
The company produces several lines of its products, so everyone can find a suitable option according to their budget and aesthetic preferences. There are both budget solutions and very exclusive and aesthetic models that will decorate the kitchen, office and restaurant.
Prices for goods from one collection largely depend on the volume of the flask: there are both mini teapots of 350-400 ml and large ones of 800-1000 ml, and the cost varies from this.
Classic
Quite simple, familiar models to everyone. Transparent flask, body made of thin steel lines or plastic, metal or plastic handle and lid. There may be a pattern on the body, on the metal. Nothing special, but convenient and practical. However, many people like those in which the degree of brewing is clearly visible.
Prices are about 800 – 1300 rubles.
Retro style
Something interesting, such a thing always attracts attention. Vitesse French presses with polka dots and an opaque flask are very popular. If you choose polka dot cups to go with them, you will get a beautiful and original set. This collection often includes a line of teapots with drawings on a transparent background - they also look very good - this is not just a functional thing, but also an aesthetic one.
Prices – 900 – 1700 rubles.
Prints
They are highlighted separately because the printing is done on the polishing of the case. Curved lines, themes - mainly coffee - beans, cups of coffee, names of drinks and varieties, etc. It will appeal to all coffee lovers and will decorate a kitchen decorated in the same theme.
Prices are about 1000 rubles.
Men's series
It was named so because of its strict design - no funny drawings, only seriousness and minimalism. It is in these coffee presses that Vitesse uses high-quality nickel-plated steel, rubberized handles, and a dense plastic base. The thing looks expensive and pretentious (see a good gift for a coffee lover).
Prices – from 1300 to 2100, depending on volume.
Glass French presses
Made of heat-resistant glass in two layers. The transparent flask and the coffee brewed in it, surrounded by a transparent body, look very nice. In this case, it is impossible to get burned, since you will not touch the flask itself. The lid and filter are made of stainless steel. Everything is easy to clean.
Prices – 2100 – 2600 rubles.
Elite stainless steel series
A metal opaque teapot, very heavy in the hands, which does not break. Mirror polishing and attention to detail make this thing solid, beautiful, and at the same time almost eternal. The filter can be replaced if necessary, the size is standard, so the teapot can last for decades.
Prices – 1600 – 2400 rubles.
The manufacturer recommends using medium or coarse grind coffee for any Vitesse French press (see coffee grind degree), the smallest particles can pass through the filter mesh.
Where and how to buy?
The brand is popular, so the purchasing options are really wide. Or vice versa - it is sold everywhere, and therefore is well known to consumers. Be that as it may, you can buy Vitesse French presses:
On the official website of Vitesse in Russia - vitesse.ru, where you can choose not only products from the entire line of French presses, but also other household utensils, also durable, functional, made from modern materials.
There are hundreds of them in other online stores. Prices, however, are slightly higher than on the official website, but if delivery from a specific store is convenient for you, look for Vitesse there. For example, products are officially supplied to Ozon, 38pokupok and Top Shop.
In regular stores of household appliances and goods - Globus, Karusel, Lenta, Magnit, Victoria, Dixie, Perekrestok, MediaMarkt, Eldorado and others.
conclusions
- Vitesse French presses are made in China, but they are really well made.
- The brand offers both budget models and very elite, stylish and unusual ones.
- Prices for small teapots start from 800 rubles, for large and exclusive ones – up to 2400 rubles.
- You can buy online on the official website, in online stores or in regular online markets.
- This is a noteworthy, practical item that will last a long time. You can buy replaceable mesh filters.
Rondell
Since 1988, the German company Rondell has been producing utensils for professional cooking, including French presses for coffee. You can find their products in many chain stores, retail outlets, and specialty coffee shops. Teapots are very popular; they are bought for many restaurants and cafes, as well as for the home - to enjoy the taste of the drink prepared in high-quality containers. We tell you everything about Rondell French presses: collections, features, prices and where to buy.
About the manufacturer
Rondell produces high-tech tableware using environmentally friendly, health-safe materials. Its products regularly receive awards at international exhibitions; these teapots, pots, etc. are used in many cooking schools, in shows, and at presentations.
Since 2006, the company opened its stores in Russia, and since then many customers confidently choose this brand. Despite all the eliteness, the Rondell line has quite budget models of French presses, so everyone can afford to use such a teapot.
The National Chefs Guild recommends Rondell cookware for professional use.
Catalog and assortment
Each product of this brand is a small perfection with an incredibly thoughtful design. Therefore, there are very few models of teapots: the manufacturer believes that there are quite enough of them so that everyone can choose something according to their preference, and does not churn out dozens of similar models with different designs. This adherence to professional style makes the products special.
Tasse
A collection of exquisite French presses with an interesting laser-etched design. It looks stylish and interesting, decorates any kitchen or establishment. Heat-resistant glass, stainless steel, markings in milliliters - nothing superfluous, everything is simple, functional and beautiful.
Price is about 1600 for a 0.6 liter teapot, and about 1900 for a 0.8 liter teapot.
Bond
A classic with elements of rigor - this teapot is most often chosen by men who are supporters of straight lines, shiny durable metal, and high-tech style. Durable and convenient, the teapot with a steel non-slip handle will serve for many years.
Price – approximately 1300 rubles.
Mocco & Latte
These are Rondel French presses of non-standard sizes - for one person, or for a large company. Most teapots come in 600 – 800 ml volumes, but this collection offers 350 ml and 1 liter solutions. A stylish design, a handle made of nylon with silicone coating, a spare bulb included - the thing is convenient and pleasant to use.
Price is about 1500 for 0.35 liters, and about 2300 for a liter.
Vintage
A designer model of a French press with craquelure decor - artificial cracks that give the item an antique look. The tight lid closes well, does not heat up, and does not slip out. It will appeal to everyone who loves antiques and chooses only exclusive items for their home.
Price – 2400 – 2500 rubles, for volumes of 0.6 and 0.8 liters.
Wonder
This collection features a budget stylish teapot with an extended bottom. It stands confidently on any plane and will not tip over from an accidental push. Non-slip large handle with a comfortable grip. Interesting design - nothing superfluous, and at the same time - beautiful. A professional item at the price of mass brands.
Price – about 800 rubles.
Fancy
Lovers of everything unusual will like it. The classic, recognizable Rondell design with oriental-style patterns makes the teapot special. It invariably attracts glances, you want to look at it. And, of course, it’s great for brewing coffee - the walls are strong, the lid fits tightly, the piston moves evenly and doesn’t slip, and the filter doesn’t allow grounds to pass through.
Price – 2100 for 0.6 l and 2500 for 0.8 l.
All Rondell French presses come in a gift box, making it a great option for a stylish, meaningful and practical gift.
Where can I buy?
- The official website of Rondell in Russia is rondell.ru and their online store is goldermall.ru.
- Certified online stores – rondell-shop.ru, rondell-mag.ru, rondell-store.ru, rondell-posuda.ru (this one works around the clock). The full list can be seen on the brand's official website.
- Chain stores - Eldorado, M-Video, Tekhnosila, MediaMarkt, Domovoy, Euroset, Start.
- There are many retail stores, with more than 20 in Moscow alone. The official website has maps for many Russian cities, so you can easily find the one closest to you.
Purchasing in certified stores is a guarantee of 100% branded German Rondell quality. The brand is popular, so sometimes there are Chinese fakes
Warranty and customer care
The company guarantees that all Rondell French presses are made from safe, environmentally friendly materials, have been tested, and meet quality standards. However, this is not surprising, since this is the cookware used by world culinary experts. Each package contains quality certificates and a warranty card.
The brewers usually also come with recipe books for coffee and tea drinks, measuring spoons, and spare flasks. Everything is beautifully and neatly packaged. The teapot is a pleasure to buy, give, or receive as a gift.
conclusions
- Rondell French presses are true German quality from one of the world leaders in tableware.
- These are the products that are used by professional chefs and culinary schools.
- The company offers French presses in its Tasse, Bond, Mocco & Latte, Vintage, Wonder and Fancy cookware collections.
- Prices on average range from 1300 to 2500 rubles, depending on the collection and volume of the flask, the minimum cost of a teapot is 780 rubles.
- Available in 350, 600, 800 and 1000 ml, all beautifully packaged in gift boxes.
Cold coffee
Wondering how to make coffee special in a universal device? We tell you how to do it correctly.
- Add ground grains at the rate of 1 tbsp. spoon for 200 ml.
- Pour in cold water and mix thoroughly.
- Place in the refrigerator for 12 hours.
- Take it out, insert the piston, squeeze out the grounds.
You should understand: the drink is brewed for a long time, therefore it turns out rich and bitter. Add spices, milk, cream, ice cubes.
Is it possible to cook your favorite elite varieties in a French press? Certainly! Having gained experience, you will get the best coffee to enjoy with a unique bouquet of flavor and aromatic properties. Adjust the degree of grinding and the duration of infusion. Our article is a guide to action in order to gain an understanding over time of how to choose the optimal parameters according to your preferences.
Types of French presses
The classic French press has two serious disadvantages:
- The flask is designed for a certain number of cups of coffee. If you need to treat a large company to a drink, then after each use the flask and filter have to be washed. As a result, while some guests are already drinking coffee, others are still waiting for their turn.
- Small particles of grounds still end up in the finished drink.
Therefore, in the 21st century, the design of the French press continues to be improved.
Espro Press
The model was developed by the Canadian company Espro. The Espro Press differs from the classic French press by having a double filter, which makes the coffee purer. The Espro Press flask is made of stainless steel.
Espro Press
American Press
In an American press, a small chamber is attached to the piston into which coffee is poured. The drink is prepared a little differently than in a classic French press:
American Press
- Ground coffee is poured into the chamber at the rate of 7–9 g per 100 ml of water. To make the finished drink cleaner, place a paper filter from an AeroPress soaked in water at the bottom of the chamber with ground coffee.
- Hot water is poured into the flask. The total brewing time is 3.5–4 minutes.
- The piston is lowered into the flask so that the water just wets the ground coffee.
- After 30 seconds, the piston begins to slowly lower. Approximately 2 minutes after the start of brewing, the lower part of the piston should be 2 fingers above the bottom of the flask.
- After 1 minute (3.5 minutes after the start of brewing), the piston is lowered to the bottom of the flask.
- Coffee is poured into cups.
In the first minute and a half of extraction, ground coffee releases essential oils and substances that give the drink sourness. Then comes the turn of chocolate, sweet shades. During the last 30 minutes of extraction, the coffee takes on a bitter taste. By varying the duration of different stages, you can experiment with the taste of the drink.
Rite Coffee Press
In this model, the chamber intended for ground coffee is installed at the bottom of the flask. Rite Coffee Press is available with stainless steel or ceramic flasks. An hourglass is attached to the side of the vessel. The brewing time for coffee is the same as in a classic French press.
Rite Coffee Press
Author of the article: Diana Koltsova
barista and coffee lover rolled into one
Your mark:
How is it built?
The design is very simple. The device itself consists of a flask, which is usually made of glass. This is done to make it convenient to observe the brewing process. In addition, the device has a piston with a small handle and a filter mesh. The French press no longer has any fancy gadgets. The instructions will tell you in detail how to use it. The main thing is not to forget to turn on the electricity. The device works due to the fact that the piston lowers when you press down on it and thereby compacts the coffee to the bottom of the flask. And what remains on top is a clean drink, which is poured into the cup. In this case, all unnecessary particles remain at the bottom of the French press. This is such a fairly simple and ingenious device.
