French Press versus Automatic Drip Coffeemakers
There are many automatic drip coffeemakers on the market. Some of them even provide pre-measured containers of coffee to assure “your perfect cup.” Why would anyone want to make coffee with something as old fashioned as a French press?
The answer is simple. Because a French press makes better tasting coffee. There are a number of reasons for this, but they boil down to three basic factors; water temperature, coffee-to-water contact, and retaining the natural oils that give coffee more flavor and body.
Water temperature is critical. Coffee should be brewed between 190 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit. A lower temperature creates a weak brew while a higher temperature can burn the grounds. Automatic drip machines often have poor temperature controls. The water also tends to drip so slowly it loses heat as it drips. With a French press, you can measure the temperature of the water with an instant read thermometer and pour it all in at the same time. Very little heat is lost.
Finally, we come to the problem of the paper filters and the natural coffee oils. Paper coffee filters filter out more than just the coffee grounds. Much of the coffee’s natural oils remain trapped in the filters. This gives you coffee not only less flavor, but a more watery feel in your mouth.
A French press may seem like more trouble to use than a drip machine, and some of them can be rather pricey. However, you can start with a small press at the cost of around $10.00 and the superior flavor of your coffee is well worth it.
brewed on Jan 23rd, 2010
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