Are you a

Coffee Fanatic?

French Press or Cold Press Coffee

Image source: © GettyImages/Rawpixel

There are various coffee brewing methods. The French press and cold press methods are some that do not require the use of filters. Depending on your taste buds, you may prefer coffee either brewed using the French press method or the cold press method. So what’s the difference?

A French press contains a circular wire mesh filter which gets plunged downwardly into a cylindrical glass jug. One to two scoops of coarsely ground or French press-ground coffee beans are added into the jug. Hot water is then poured over the coffee grounds. Give it five to seven minutes for water to percolate through. This method brews and produces coffee of a more intense taste since there is no filter paper to trap oils from the coffee beans.

▶ Video: How to brew coffee using a French press

The cold press method involves using four items commonly found in the kitchen – a tall jar with a lid to contain the coffee, a mason jar for the brewing process, a second glass to pour the brewed coffee into and a kitchen sieve or strainer. Using a 4:1 ratio of water to coffee grounds, mix them together in the mason jar for brewing, and cover for three hours or overnight in the refrigerator. Using the kitchen sieve, strain the coffee mixture through into the second glass, then pour it into the tall jar as the serving container. As you can see, the cold press method takes several hours but results in a less acidic flavor than a typical brew.

▶ Video: How to make Cold Brew Coffee

What's your preference?

If you prefer a less acidic taste and prefer having your coffee cold on a hot day during summer, the cold brew method would be the ideal. If you are someone enjoying the intense flavor in a cuppa hot black coffee, the French press method will deliver beyond your expectations.

☕ Learn more about other coffee brewing methods