If you are a coffee lover (which, of course you are, because otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this blog), you most likely have a very specific opinion on what type of coffee you like best. You may like the fruitier flavors found in some regions of the world, or perhaps you prefer the nuttier taste from a completely different part of the world. (If you aren’t that into coffee but want to know more about it, here’s an interesting article on the science behind it all.)
You also probably have a specific opinion on how you like to have your coffee brewed.
Or you may not really care, and will even chomp on the beans if you get desperate.
Regardless, we are going to answer the age-old question of which makes better coffee: The Aeropress or the French Press. Okay, so it’s not exactly an age old question, considering the fact that the Aeropress hasn’t been around that long. But it’s still an important question to consider.
But it’s not worth fighting over.
What’s the Difference?
The French Press is an old-school method of brewing coffee. There are different containers for them, and some are super fancy, while others are more rustic, but the concept is the same. The coffee grounds are put into the bottom of the container, and then hot water is added. Once the grounds have soaked for a while and all the coffee goodness is ready to burst, a mesh plate is pressed down on the grounds, releasing the flavor and creating the magic.
It’s so simple, anyone can do it.
The Aeropress works a bit differently. There’s a funnel that has a filter at the bottom of it, and the grounds sit on top of the beans. The hot water is pushed down through the beans and the filter, and into the waiting cup of coffee. It’s kind of like a super-fast espresso maker.
Okay, so maybe not as fast as a race car, but you still get the life juice in around a minute.
Pros and Cons?
We’re not going to go into a long list of pros and cons, because a lot of that is subjective. For example, French presses are usually made of glass. When you drop the glass container, well, it shatters.
And that’s a sad day.
The Aeropress is more durable.
But… the Aeropress has six different pieces that you need to keep track of, which can take up some room. The French press has only the container and the mesh, which fit together nicely when you aren’t making coffee.
However… the French press takes longer to brew and you have to wait for a while before you get to enjoy that first sip of coffee. The Aeropress gets you the coffee in seconds.
On the other hand… the Aeropress only makes one cup of coffee at a time. If you drink several cups of coffee each day, or each hour, this could be frustrating. Or if you have a large group of coffee drinkers at together, it could get ugly. The French press allows you to brew more than one cup at a time.
This woman had to wait too long for her coffee. This is why you must choose wisely.
But as you can see, there are pros and cons to both styles of brewing. So it comes down to one final, basic question:
Which Makes the Best Coffee?
The answer is… it depends.
Huh?
It depends on the type of flavor that you like.
If you like a very strong, bold cup of coffee, then you will most likely prefer coffee from the French press. Because there is no filter between the grounds and the water, you will get the oils from the beans. You will also get a little bit of the grounds with your coffee.
Some may find this a bit off putting.
But others may feel that this is the way that coffee is supposed to be.
The Aeropress has a filter and is brewed differently, so it is less oily French press coffee. You don’t get any of the grounds, and it is actually very similar to espresso. You get a nice, mild cup of coffee that has rich flavor.
What’s the Best Solution?
Well, since both types of brewing give you delicious coffee, why not get one of each? You can use your French press in the morning to get three or for cups. This will get you awake and fully functioning. Then in the afternoon, you can use the Aeropress for your afternoon pick-me-up, or “way to get through the morning coffee”.
Here’s where you can buy either one:
Don’t Forget the Beans!
Before you start making your coffee, take a minute to consider the beans that you are using. We don’t want to sound like coffee snobs (Yes we do. That’s what we are.), but the beans make all the difference in the world.
To get the highest quality coffee and the best flavor possible, you have to make sure that you are using the best possible coffee beans. Make sure that they are freshly roasted, and haven’t been sitting on a store shelf for months.
That would not be tasty.
See this guy? He was offered coffee that was made from old beans. He said he would rather stick an icepick through his nose. So he did. Let this man be a warning to you: Don’t offer your friends coffee made from old beans, because they may do something drastic.
Once you get the best beans, you can determine which method of brewing you prefer. You may find that you like the oils, or you may find that the oils aren’t your favorite.
There are no right or wrong answers; it is all up to you.
Go ahead and enjoy your coffee, however you like. Add cream, or sugar, or both. Or go bold yet simple, and add nothing.
It’s coffee.
It’s beautiful, and wonderful, and oh, so delicious.
And it makes you function.
No matter how you brew it – French press, Aeropress, or yes, even chomping on the seeds.
Yay Coffee!