Espresso has become so popular that it is a part of our everyday life now. But, what happens when you desperately crave a brew but you do not own an espresso machine? This is where a French press comes in handy.
Now, since espresso is considered to be a true art form, you might be wondering how to make espresso in a french press? This is where we come in. We included all the instructions and explained the brewing process step by step to ensure that you get great results with every use. So, let us begin.
IN THIS ARTICLE:
What Is A French Press?
A French press is a manual coffee maker that features a cylindrical shape. It comes with a specially designed plunger with fine mesh filters that percolate the coffee.
Can You Really Make Espresso Using A French Press?
Yes, you can. It is worth knowing that a French press is only one alternative way you can use to get a great brew without a real espresso machine.
Make Perfect Espresso With Us
French press espresso is very easy to make. Here are detailed step-by-step instructions that will help you make the most perfect brew:
First things first, heat the water using an electric kettle or a stovetop pot (you can heat a bit more than 12 oz so you have enough to heat the press. There is a slight advantage to using a kettle as it allows you to adjust the temperature you want to achieve (for a French press you want it between 195 and 200°F).
Once the water heats up, pour some of it into the press, swirl it around, and dispose of it. The point of doing this is to ensure that your brew remains hot for a much longer time.
This is the time to add coffee grounds to the press. For the best results, use medium-coarse coffee grounds and make sure that they are dark roast so you get the closest to the real espresso.
The general rule is 1 full tablespoon of coffee per every 4 oz of water. Since a 12 oz press is the smallest one (and we are brewing a full press) we are using 3 tablespoons of coffee. You can brew a single cup too just make sure to adjust the parameters accordingly.
Pour the hot water over the grounds inside the press. Once you do this, stir the two together using a wooden spoon (avoid metal utensils as you could accidentally damage the press).
Now, place the plunger in its place and push the press down. Make sure that it stays just above the water level.
Leave the coffee to steep just like that for 4 minutes.
Once the 4 minutes are up, press the plunger down as far as it goes. By doing this you will filter out all the coffee grounds from your brew.
Ingredients
Directions
First things first, heat the water using an electric kettle or a stovetop pot (you can heat a bit more than 12 oz so you have enough to heat the press. There is a slight advantage to using a kettle as it allows you to adjust the temperature you want to achieve (for a French press you want it between 195 and 200°F).
Once the water heats up, pour some of it into the press, swirl it around, and dispose of it. The point of doing this is to ensure that your brew remains hot for a much longer time.
This is the time to add coffee grounds to the press. For the best results, use medium-coarse coffee grounds and make sure that they are dark roast so you get the closest to the real espresso.
The general rule is 1 full tablespoon of coffee per every 4 oz of water. Since a 12 oz press is the smallest one (and we are brewing a full press) we are using 3 tablespoons of coffee. You can brew a single cup too just make sure to adjust the parameters accordingly.
Pour the hot water over the grounds inside the press. Once you do this, stir the two together using a wooden spoon (avoid metal utensils as you could accidentally damage the press).
Now, place the plunger in its place and push the press down. Make sure that it stays just above the water level.
Leave the coffee to steep just like that for 4 minutes.
Once the 4 minutes are up, press the plunger down as far as it goes. By doing this you will filter out all the coffee grounds from your brew.
Does French Press Produce The Espresso Crema?
No, it does not. This is because of the lack of extraction pressure that creates the aerated crema. You will get a bit of foam but it is nothing like that of an espresso machine.
Can You Use An Espresso Grind?
You can use espresso roast coffee beans but it is best that you grind them yourself to a medium-coarse grind. If you choose an espresso grind the coffee will be too fine and you will have trouble trying to filter it out.
How Long Do You Brew Espresso In A French Press?
4 minutes, and this is true no matter how big of a brew you are making. This is because the coffee to water ratio always remains the same.
Let Us Talk About The Water Temperature
For the optimal brewing results, the water temperature should be around 195 and 200°F. Once you notice that the water is starting to boil, turn off the kettle or remove the pot from a heat source and give it a second to cool down a bit.
Why Can’t You Use Boiling Water?
Boiling water can over-extract coffee grounds. As a result, you will be left with a bitter brew you probably will not enjoy.
Can You Pour French Press Coffee Through A Filter?
Well, you can. However, if the plunger and its mesh filters work properly, there should not be any need for this.
Can You Use The Same Coffee Grounds Twice?
You can, but, you should not. Coffee grounds lose most of their flavor the first time around. So if you the same grounds for a second time, your brew will have a watered-down flavor that is nowhere near the one of espresso.
Can You Make A French Press Espresso Using Cold Water?
Yes, you can. A cold brew can be a refreshing change, especially during the hot summer days. To make it, you should:
- Add coffee grounds into the press.
- Pour cold water over them.
- Place the plunger in its place and push it down just above the water level.
- Now, place the press into a refrigerator for about 12 to 15 hours.
- Take it out, press the plunger down, and pour your brew over ice.
That is it. A cold brew is just as easy to make. Its only downside is that it takes much longer to brew. If you want to shorten the process, consider getting an electric French press that is specially made to brew iced beverages.
What About Other Espresso-Based Beverages?
You can try brewing almost any espresso-based beverage using a French press. This includes:
- an americano
- a flat white
- a latte
- a cappuccino
All listed beverages use espresso as a base. Now, for the ones with steamed/frothed milk add some cold or heated milk into the press and plunge it several times. By doing so, you will not get the same results as you would using an espresso machine with a frother/steam wand but you will make the second-best option.
Possible Health Concerns
Espresso is considered to be a fairly healthy beverage. So, is the same true for French press espresso?
Let Us Talk About Caffeine
Real espresso has much more caffeine than a French press espresso. In a 1.5-ounce espresso shot, you will get about 77 mg of caffeine while a single cup of French press espresso has about 53 mg of caffeine.
Does French Press Coffee Raise Your Cholesterol?
Not when consumed in moderation. However, a study shows that drinking 5 cups of French press coffee over a month can increase your blood cholesterol levels between 6 to 8 percent.
How To Keep Your French Press Clean?
Finally, the last thing you need to know is how to keep your french press clean:
As you can see in the video, you can easily clean your French press using only some tap water. If you are looking for a more thorough clean you can disassemble the filter and clean every mesh under the water by itself. Most French presses are safe for a dishwasher but since they are so easy to clean there is no sense in placing them in a machine – you will only end up with hard water stains that are hard to get rid of later on.
To Wrap It Up
If you are a big coffee enthusiast (like we are), rich and creamy espresso is everything you need to fix a bad day. If you do not own an espresso machine do not worry, a French press will provide you with a delicious brew in less than 5 minutes. We broke down the brewing instructions to the tiniest detail so you try and make yourself a batch even if you never used a French press before.
You can try this even if you are new to espresso. A French press will give you an insight into what your brew can be like. If you grow to like it, consider getting a basic espresso machine for more authentic brewing results.
