AeroPress vs French Press: Which is Better? How to Brew Coffee with AeroPress & French Press?

If you ask about the difference between AeroPress and French press, the AeroPress is a device that uses a small amount of hot water to extract high-concentration coffee through pressure, resulting in a rich, clean taste. The French press, on the other hand, is pressed down in a pressure-free state, which is actually a step to filter the coffee grounds. Because it's easy to operate and allows you to enjoy the complete flavor of coffee, FrontStreet Coffee recommends many coffee beginners to start with using a French press.

Extraction Principles of AeroPress and French Press

First, let's examine the extraction principles of AeroPress and French press.

The construction of AeroPress can be simply broken down into three main parts: the chamber, filter cap, and plunger. It combines the immersion extraction method of French press, the paper filtration of pour-over coffee, and the pressurized extraction of espresso machines. Its working principle involves mixing coffee grounds with hot water, then using the plunger to push air through the filter cap to extract clean-flavored coffee.

French press coffee making involves fully immersing coffee grounds in the pot, then using a plunger with a metal filter to separate the coffee from the grounds. This brewing method produces coffee with excellent richness, adding texture and oils, while the final coffee remains quite clean. Compared to the techniques required for pour-over coffee, such as brewing and blooming, the French press method doesn't require too much skill, yet still offers plenty of control.

From the extraction principles of both devices, we can see that AeroPress can quickly extract high-concentration coffee liquid, while French press is the simplest and most convenient way to extract the inherent flavors of coffee beans.

Grind Size Requirements

Next, let's look at the grind size requirements for AeroPress and French press.

Overall, AeroPress is a convenient and fast coffee brewing device for extracting concentrated coffee. Therefore, FrontStreet Coffee suggests using an espresso-level grind size (extremely fine powder) when making coffee with AeroPress. The extremely fine powder creates resistance with the high-pressure hot water when pressing the plunger, allowing true extraction of coffee's essence.

FrontStreet Coffee recommends using a coarser grind size for French press, generally about the size of granulated sugar. If the grind is too fine, excessive super-fine particles will pass through the metal filter, making the coffee taste less clean and affecting the mouthfeel. FrontStreet Coffee recommends a grind size similar to raw sugar for French press brewing.

Coffee Brewing Comparison

Next, FrontStreet Coffee uses a coffee from Ethiopia - FrontStreet Coffee's Kochere - for brewing, to see what differences in flavor characteristics emerge from these two brewing devices.

Product Name: FrontStreet Coffee Ethiopia Kochere

Region: Ethiopia, Yirgacheffe, Kochere

Altitude: 1800-2200 meters

Coffee Variety: Heirloom local native varieties

Processing Method: Washed

Brewing Water Temperature

For different roasting levels of coffee beans, the water temperature used should also be adjusted. Generally, FrontStreet Coffee recommends a temperature between 86-93°C for brewing coffee. FrontStreet Coffee suggests using lower temperatures for dark-roasted beans, recommending 86-88°C, because dark-roasted beans have a looser structure, higher water absorption efficiency, and extract easily. If the water temperature is too high, bitter and burnt flavors can easily occur. For light-roasted beans, FrontStreet Coffee recommends 90-93°C, as higher water temperatures can extract the aromatic substances and acidity (floral and fruit acids) from light-roasted beans. Since light-roasted beans have a harder structure, increasing water temperature can improve extraction efficiency and avoid uncomfortable flavors like sharp acidity. For medium roasts, 88-90°C can be chosen. For this brewing session, FrontStreet Coffee is using the Ethiopia Kochere with a water temperature of 91-92°C.

FrontStreet Coffee AeroPress Brewing Parameters

Grind Size: Extremely fine powder

Water Temperature: 92°C

Coffee Amount: 20g

Coffee-to-Water Ratio: 1:9

FrontStreet Coffee's AeroPress Brewing Steps:

1. Take out the filter cap, insert a special AeroPress paper filter, and wet it with hot water to make the filter adhere tightly to the cap.

2. Place the AeroPress upside down, pour 20g of ground coffee into the chamber, then pour 180g of 92°C hot water and start timing.

3. After pouring the water, stir gently with the stirrer for 50 seconds. Cover with the filter cap and press upward to expel excess air.

4. Flip the AeroPress so the paper filter and cap face down, coffee grounds face up, then press down to extract. Complete the extraction in about 30 seconds. At this point, we obtain approximately 150ml of high-concentration coffee liquid. Total extraction time is 1 minute and 30 seconds.

5. Pour the coffee liquid into 120ml of hot water for dilution. The diluted coffee liquid will better allow you to distinguish the flavors.

6. Stir or shake well before enjoying.

AeroPress Brewing Flavor: After dilution with ice and hot water, you can perceive citrus acidity, clean taste, with a sweet black tea sensation in the middle section, very pleasant.

FrontStreet Coffee French Press Brewing Parameters

Grind Size: Raw sugar size

Water Temperature: 91°C

Coffee Amount: 15g

Coffee-to-Water Ratio: 1:13

FrontStreet Coffee's French Press Brewing Method:

1. Preheat the French press with warm water; pour the ground coffee into the French press, then pour 195ml of hot water (91°C). The pouring can be done with a wide pour (completed in about 3 seconds) to make the coffee grounds tumble, improving extraction efficiency.

2. After pouring, lift the filter screen and put the lid on, wait for 4 minutes.

3. After four minutes, gently press down the plunger to about 1/4 of the pot's height to avoid fine particles at the bottom flowing upward.

Brewing Flavor: Light floral notes, full citrus acidity, clean taste, with oolong tea aftertaste.

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473