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Are you a coffee lover that is interested in different brewing methods that you can do at home? If that is the case, there is a good chance you encountered information and, at the very least, mentions of the French Press and Aeropress. If you are not aware of the differences in presses, you may think that the Aero and French presses are the same. That is understandable since both machines require you to steep coffee grounds in scalding water. And then, after that, you filter the water by using a mechanism involving a manual pump.
However, here is the truth. Both Aero and French presses are similar in many ways, and yet they have differences that you will want to know. Now, let’s go over the overview of Aeropress and then the French Press. After that, we can make a comparison.
An Overview Of Aeropress
Alan Adler is the Aerobie president, and he is behind the invention of the Aeropress in 2005. The press consists of a plunger that has the appearance of a syringe and two polypropylene concentric cylinders. The way to brew the coffee is to use air pressure
) to force the coffee through a filter consisting of paper that directly goes into the coffee cup or mug. However, Aeropress brews coffee quickly, which makes this press different from others.
Therefore, when you use the Aeropress to brew your coffee, you can do it within one minute. You will also need to use an electric grinder or a burr of your choice. You also have two options when it comes to how to brew your coffee which is through the inverted method or the traditional method.
If you want to brew your coffee using the traditional method, it is relatively easy to do. Place your cup on the surface at the press’ bottom. Ensure the surface you place the cup on is flat, and you will not have to worry about it toppling over. Then take the paper filter to rinse it. After doing that, take the fresh coffee grounds of your choice and pour hot water into the more spacious cylinder. Within ten seconds of doing that, place the smaller cylinder into the upper end. Then you will want to press it down very slowly so you can put the coffee into your mug or cup.
However, if you want to enjoy a richer and darker coffee, you will want to use the inverted method. The inverted process is somewhat more complex. The first thing to do is to place the plunger into the more spacious cylinder. Then you will want to take the filter from the top of the press. After that, place the water and coffee grounds inside and typically stir before rinsing the filter. You will want to do that as well before putting the mug or cup upside-down on the top of the press. Take a few minutes to steep the coffee, and then you can flip the set-up and press it down. With the Aeropress, you have several options for hot coffee but not when it comes to cold brews. You will want to make sure that you know how to use the press correctly or find it aggravating. How does the Aeropress compare to the French Press? Let’s examine the French Press now before getting into that.
An Overview Of French Press
Italian designer named Attilo Calimani patented and designed the French Press in 1929. The mechanism of the French Press has similarities to the Aeropress. It consists of the plunger and the carafe, which is a glass container that resembles a beaker. The filter for the French Press is not paper as it composes of stainless steel instead.
If you use the French Press, you will need to expect to have a longer brew time. It is critical to let the grounds steep in hot water before using the plunger to compress them. Once the brewing completes, the plunger will dump the grinds to the bottom of the press. That is what happens while the coffee seeps out through the filter. However, there is one advantage of the French Press as you can set it and forget it since it takes a while to brew the coffee. You can keep the press brewing on the countertop in your kitchen while you go out and run an errand or do a chore. This press is quite versatile, and you can even try different cold brews by using it.
Keep in mind though if you use the French Press, you cannot afford to make any errors with it, and that is because there is no pressure with this device. You have to shove the grounds away from the coffee instead of pushing the coffee away from the grounds. That is what you do with the Aeropress. Now you know about both presses’ overview, let’s compare them and evaluate which one is better for your needs!
Which Press Is Better: The French Press Or The Aeropress?
Let’s first go over each one’s pros and cons before determining which press is better for your needs. Both presses brew rich-tasting coffee. However, because the Aeropress uses paper filters, you will have a clean-tasting and low-acid coffee, unlike the French Press. That means the paper strips the oils from the grounds away, which means you won’t have as much of a rich-flavor coffee from the Aeropress as you would with the French Press.
However, if you want to take your press on trips and along with you on camping excursions, the Aeropress is the one to get. That one is durable as the French Press is more delicate. That means it is best to leave the French Press at home or your office. Additionally, if you want to brew for a group of people who want to enjoy a quick cup of coffee, the Aeropress can do that. That is because it features a single-serve capacity. That is the ideal press to use for colleges and universities, and offices. The French Press is better for coffee fanatics at home or the office as you can brew multiple cups of coffee at one time. You can do so without needing to start over each time. Therefore, it is a great press to use for a home gathering.
Let’s not forget that if you are in a hurry to brew coffee, you will want to get the Aeropress. If time is not a factor and you can wait at least three minutes to brew your coffee, then the French Press is the better option. Another thing that is great about the French Press is that it is easier for novices to use. The Aeropress requires a learning curve. However, in the end, both presses are user-friendly.
Conclusion
Many people love having a good cup of java, whether it is now and then or daily. However, if you constantly have to run to Starbucks to grab a cup of coffee, the cost adds up. That is why you will want to consider investing in a press where you can learn to brew coffee at home, your office, or on a trip. The presses compared today are the Aeropress and the French Press.
After reading the advantages and disadvantages of the Aeropress and French Press, you will determine which press better fits your needs. Either way, as long as you get the right press for yourself, you will be glad that you did!
