Cold Brew Vs French Press: Which Is Better?

Do you need a quick cup of coffee in the morning? Are you looking for a flavorful way to get your day started? Both cold brew and French press coffee methods are popular with coffee lovers. Time and time again, consumers and even some coffee retailers have touted one method over the other. Most assume that, because of a difference in taste, cold brew is inferior to french press coffee. However, this is not the case. Both methods can brew high-quality coffee. But which one is better?

Let’s dive deeper and find out.

What Is The Difference Between Cold Brew And A French Press?

Although both cold brew and French press coffee are brewed with freshly ground beans, they are very different processes.

While cold brewing involves a steeping method in room temperature water, French presses require hot water to be forced into the coffee grounds to extract its essence. Cold brew coffee, on the other hand, uses steeping methods that require water to be placed in the refrigerator prior to being filtered through coffee grounds.

In short, cold brew is a method of brewing coffee using freshly ground beans, cold water, and room temperature. Cold brew coffee is brewed for 12-24 hours, while French presses require about four minutes of steeping time.

Although cold brew coffee takes longer to brew than a French press, the final product is far superior.

Cold brew coffee tastes smoother and has less acidic elements. French press coffee often has sediment at the bottom of the cup.

Both methods produce rich coffee, cold brew coffee is preferred by many because of its rich flavor and less acidic elements.

More About Cold Brew And French Press

As someone who has spent a lot of time watching and trying various brewing methods, I can confidently say that brewing any cold brew method yields the best results. However, I urge coffee lovers to keep an open mind and try out all brewing methods first. But before that here are some more facts that you should know about cold brew and French press.

A cold brew method requires a little bit more effort. On the other hand, French press brewing is fast and easy. Both methods yield different tastes. But if quality is what you are looking for, cold brew is the way to go. So, for a lot of people, cold brew but it’s not for all.

 Brewing french press coffee is a little more similar to brewing drip coffee, except it’s a bit easier. The difference lies in the amount of grounds you use. You don’t really want to use a lot, because it might end up being too strong. Also, don’t forget to use a fine grind. This will ensure better extraction of flavors. Above all, try to enjoy all that coffee has to offer.

How To Get Perfect Coffee At Home With Cold Brew

The process of cold brew coffee making is both simple and very effective. With French press, you steep the grounds for a few minutes after you fill the glass with water. With cold brew, you let the grounds steep for many hours.  The longer you let your coffee steep, the more potent and more flavorful your coffee will be .

The only tools you need to prepare a cold brew are a French press and a small pot. You also need cold water. Start by filling the glass with water and rinsing your grounds. Add the grounds to the glass, cover the container with the lid, and let it sit at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours. After the grounds are thoroughly saturated, pour the water through a strainer and enjoy! With cold brew, you let the grounds steep for many hours. The longer you let your coffee steep, the more potent and more flavorful your coffee will be.

The Easiest Way To Brew French Press Coffee

There are two types of French press coffee: automatically operating French presses or those that are manually operated by pressing down on the plunger.

With an automatic press you simply add coarsely ground coffee directly to the French press with hot water and stir the coffee grounds to blend them.

 With manual presses, you will need a scale to weigh out your coffee grounds.

When brewing with a French press, you first pour hot water over the coffee grounds and stick a filter on the top of the French press.

Let the mixture steep for a short period of time, usually five minutes. Then press down firmly on the plunger, like you would on a pot of coffee. Finally, pour the coffee into a cup.

Can I Leave Coffee In My French Press Overnight?

Yes! In fact, some recommend leaving coffee grounds in your French press overnight. The grounds will stay in contact with the water longer and it will create a richer taste in the coffee.

Is Preheating A French Press Necessary?

No. Because the French press method of brewing relies on a slow extraction, you do not retain heat for as long as you do with a regular drip coffee pot. As a result, the cooked coffee in a standard French press becomes over extracted.

Is It Cheaper To Invest In A French Press Or Buy Cold Brew?

If you like cold brew coffee, then you will definitely want to invest in a French press. However, if you just want to enjoy a single cup or to make one cup for yourself, then a French press is not the most cost-efficient option.

Can You Use Regular Coffee For Cold Brew?

No. The coffee grounds are what make cold brew coffee, and so they need to be fresh and delicious. So, when you brew with a French press, make sure to buy a bag of coffee that is made specifically for cold brew.

How Do You Make Cold Brew Stronger?

If you simply drink a cup of cold brew coffee, then it will taste delicious. However, if you want to make it stronger, then you can add a little more coffee to it. You can add up to 1/2 cup more coffee, and your cold brew will be just as strong.

Conclusion: It really is a toss-up between cold brew and French press. They both make great coffee, so it really comes down to personal preference and what you’re looking for.