Espresso Vs. French Press: The Differences and How to Make Each

crazy by Editorial Staff | Updated on April 1st, 2023

The French press and the espresso machine are two of the most basic and time-honored coffee-making methods. Both methods provide a robust, black brew that may be the basis for a wide variety of coffee-based drinks popular among the world’s hipster set.


However, when it comes to espresso versus French press coffee, the key variations are in how much coffee is made, how it is made, and how much caffeine is actually in the coffee. This article talks about the basics of what you need to know about Espresso and French Press and how to make coffee for each type.

FRENCH PRESS VS ESPRESSO

What is French Press?

The French press, often known as a coffee press, is a brewing device. It was created by Italian designers Attilio Calimani and Giulio Moneta and invented by Paolini Ugo in the late 1920s.

How does the French Press work?

To function, this device mostly relies on pressure. It has a piston that brews the coffee grounds and a beaker that holds the grounds after the piston has brewed them.

The first step is to put the coffee grounds and hot water in the beaker and let them steep for a few minutes before drinking. Afterward, the piston (the mesh filter on the beaker’s lid) is pressed so that you can pour your cup of joe. This step can take up to four minutes for regular hot brew coffee with a French press coffee maker.

The differences between espresso machines and French presses

Coffee lovers can get their daily java fix from either a French press or an espresso machine, but there are numerous differences between them. The flavors and roasts of the two beverages are vastly different. Here are other differences as well:

1. Method of brewing coffee

These two have different processes or methods of brewing coffee.

French press

French presses use heat and pressure to brew your freshly ground coffee beans. First, it needs to be filled with hot water, and then adds your coffee grounds. After that, you let the coffee steep for around three to four minutes before carefully depressing the plunger. Finally, before serving, pour the beverage into a decanter and allow it to chill.

Espresso machines

Meanwhile, at around 9 bars, espresso machines generate the ideal shot of coffee. Coffee grounds are pushed through the filter by this pressure. As a result, a puck-like shape is formed when coffee grounds are extracted from them, and the coffee itself delivers a tasty, excellent shot.

2. Caffeine Content

There are differences in caffeine content as well.

French Press

The caffeine content in 30 mL of French press coffee is around 22.3 mg. This measures roughly 74.2-87.8 mg for a modest or one-cup portion. This value sits substantially lower than the same amount of espresso. Caffeine level varies greatly depending on the serving quantity; therefore, a cup of coffee has about the same amount of caffeine as a shot of espresso.

Espresso machines

Espresso contains the greatest percentage of caffeine per liter. This carries roughly 126 mg of caffeine per 30mL of coffee. About 126 milligrams of caffeine are found in an 8-ounce cup of espresso.

3. Sizes of brew

The size or amount it can make per brew also varies for the French Press and the Espresso machines.

French Press

French presses are available in various sizes, from 3 to 12 cups. A French press often makes several cups of coffee like a standard coffee maker. However, these surpass espresso brewers when making numerous cups at once without requiring multiple preparations. These can even make enough coffee to last the entire day.

Espresso machines

Some espresso machines have a variety of cup sizes and drink options. In a short period, these shots are brewed to perfection. These machines may cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.

4. Clean up

In terms of clean-up, French Press and Espresso machines also have differences.

French press

A French press is simple to clean. You only need to ensure that there are no unused ingredients. The next batch will be bitter if any are left behind. As a result, it is advised that you disassemble it, wash each component separately, and then air dry them.

Espresso machines

It depends on what espresso machine you have—some self-clean features.

5. Type of Grind

French Press

Because the extraction time in a French press is so much longer, the reverse is true. For a French Press, a medium-to-coarse grind is best. A finer grind will result in larger particles in your cup of joe.

Espresso machines

Pressurized water is pumped through coffee grounds in espresso machines/ Grinding matters while making espresso. The best beans should be chosen, and they should be ground to a powder. To get the maximum flavor out of the coffee, the beans must be crushed so that water passing through them has some resistance.

Steps in making a French Press coffee

Making coffee in a French press is simple. Coffee and boiling water in a French press are all you need. It’s simple to prepare; it’s one of the most popular coffees on the market today. Just follow the instructions in the following paragraphs.

Grind the coffee

A coarse or medium-coarse grind is ideal for French Press. However, using a finer grind for this coffee is not advisable, as it will be steeped. Also, the plunger can’t handle the fine grinds, so they float to the top of your cup of joe.

Prepare boiling water

Making French Press coffee requires the use of hot, just-boiled water.

Add ground coffee to the water.

Once the coffee grinds are in the French press, you can proceed to brew. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for every cup of water to make a cup of coffee.

Add a cup of hot water.

Using a swirling motion, add a tiny amount of hot water to the carafe. The coffee grounds will begin to swell as the water comes into contact with them, releasing their flavor into the water. Make certain that the water completely covers the coffee grinds. Add the remaining water after letting the coffee and water sit for about 30 seconds.

Mix and cover with a lid.

Gently whisk the coffee to combine the ingredients. As a result, more coffee taste will be extracted from the water. Do not force the plunger into the carafe. Keeping the coffee warm while brewing necessitates a lid for the carafe.

Allow the coffee to steep for a few minutes.

When it comes to this brewing procedure, timing is important. Set a timer and let the coffee brew for four minutes. This is because coffee is brewed in a French Press using a gradual immersion extraction method. As a result, the flavor and aroma of the coffee are progressively released by the coffee grounds.

Push the plunger inward.

Because the coffee is pressed into the water, it is referred to as a French Press. Gently press the plunger down. This will force the coffee to the bottom of the carafe by forcing water through the plunger’s sides.

Pour in the coffee.

Don’t retract the plunger to avoid having coffee grinds in your brew. When brewing French Press coffee, it’s best to create only the amount of coffee you intend to drink or serve. If you leave the coffee in the carafe for too long, it can get bitter.

Steps in making Espresso coffee

Making espresso is a simple process. An espresso machine can reduce the extraction time by up to a third.

Turn on and pre-heat the espresso machine.

Let your espresso machine heat up for around 30 minutes before brewing to get the finest results.

Grind the coffee beans

Finely ground coffee is ideal for making espressos. Because the extraction process is so quick, this is a need. As a result, a finer grind allows water to savor the coffee’s aroma and flavor more thoroughly.

Measure the right amount of coffee needed

Weighing the coffee is the best option. For a single shot, use around 7 grams, and for a double shot, use about 15 grams. If you don’t have a scale, a tablespoon is roughly 7 grams.

Tamp the coffee once it has been added to the portafilter.

The coffee in the portafilter can be compressed with the help of a tamper. To ensure that the beans are evenly distributed, tamping is essential. Scoop the ground coffee beans into the portafilter and spread them evenly.

Remove any old grounds from the brew head.

To eliminate any traces of the previous espresso from the brew head, operate the machine for only a few seconds before inserting the portafilter.

Put the portafilter in the brew head and brew.

Place your cup on top of the portafilter and place the brew head on top. Press the brew immediately to avoid exposing the grounds to too much heat. This should only take a few minutes.

Bottomline

You can’t go wrong with a French press or espresso for a cup of coffee. The French Press is the most common method of brewing a cup of coffee. All of your favorite coffee beans’ flavors, textures, and aromas are extracted by this simple gadget. I can do so in just 10 minutes. Meanwhile, you might also want to opt for an espresso machine which is a powerful device despite its small size.

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Disclosure: No compensation or free products were received in exchange for writing this review.

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Editorial Staff

The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.