Just like many famous inventions, the history of the coffee press is a little fuzzy. It’s likely that no one knows precisely when it was invented or by whom. However, like many traditions, this does not stop a good story. Most people agree that the two people involved include a Frenchman and an Italian, with their names lost to history.
The story goes something like this: In the mid-1800s, a Frenchman only had a small amount of coffee and wanted to make it last for the day. He boiled water in a small pot and added the coffee grounds. Then used a piece of screen mesh he’d bought off a passing Italian salesman over the top of the water. Using a stick, he pushed the screen into the pot, separating the coffee grounds. The Frenchman expected the coffee to taste terrible, but to his delight, it tasted good, and he shared a cup with the Italian salesman. Both men were shocked at how good the flavour was and spread the word about this new and convenient method of brewing coffee.
While this is a fun tale that doesn’t quite hold up to the facts, perhaps the point is to stop arguments over who invented the coffee press. In France, the first coffee plungers date back to 1852, made by Mayer and Delforge. However, the first coffee plunger design in Italy was patented in 1928 by Attilio Calimani and Giulio Moneta.
Like many good products that have stood the test, it doesn’t matter who invented the coffee press. All you need to know is that when you’re using a coffee press, it’ll make you excellent coffee.
Is using a coffee press a good way of making coffee?
There are many different methods for making a good cup of coffee, coffee press (or French press), percolator, drip coffee machine, espresso machines (e.g., Gaggia), and more. While some may think one method is superior to another, the best is how you prefer to have your coffee.
A good rule of thumb is to experiment with how you like your coffee and to use that particular method. The small and compact size of a coffee press makes it ideal for small kitchens or for travelling, and it can easily brew your signature cup of joe.
If you’ve been using a drip filter coffee machine, you’ll find that coffee made in a French press is more flavourful. This is because some of the oils are removed when coffee passes through a paper filter. These oils are vital for providing much of the flavour in coffee; the more oil, the better the flavour.
Another great thing about the French press is that you can use it to make excellent tea. If you have guests over and they prefer tea, you can quickly make them an excellent cup and keep everyone happy!
What kind of coffee is best used for a French press?
Provided you’re using good quality beans, you can make any kind of coffee with a French press, which lends itself pretty well to a variety of roasts. You can try a variety of coffees to find your favourite.
Some people enjoy roasted beans from Kenya, with flavour profiles ranging from pleasant acidity and floral notes to a sweeter, more chocolatey taste. Meanwhile, those looking for a ‘classic’ Colombian coffee flavour typically lean towards its caramel sweetness, balanced by hints of bright acidity and nutty overtones.
If you are undecided on the best beans to use in your coffee press, you may prefer to use a coffee subscription service or ask your friends for their advice or perhaps some coffee gifts. When you have the beans, they must be ground correctly. Your beans should be ground in a medium coarse setting in a French press. If you’re buying pre-ground beans, avoid anything made for an espresso machine, as these are too fine and may pass through the French coffee press filter.
Once you have your coffee beans, they need to be stored correctly. The best method for storing ground coffee is in an air-tight container on a shelf in your pantry. For long-term storage, you can place the coffee in the freezer, but the pantry is best for your regular coffee, as the ground beans will benefit from a temperature-stable environment.
How do I choose the best coffee press for myself?
Selecting a coffee press from the options available is probably the easiest choice when it comes to coffee. The way coffee presses work is much the same across all the brands. You can find that higher-priced models may last longer as they’ll use better quality materials, but a cheaper French press will still make the same type of coffee.
When choosing your coffee maker, you can decide to buy one that fits in with your kitchen decor or one that is easily transportable. You can even find models that will make your coffee on the go, and these types are ideal if you enjoy your coffee while you ride the train or bus to work. Unlike the research you’ll need to complete if you buy an espresso machine, using French presses is fairly straightforward, and you should have no trouble finding one within your budget.
At Coffee Parts, we have an excellent selection of coffee presses and many other coffee machines. We can ship your order to any location in Australia (such as Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, etc.). We also have a selection of coffee beans, so you can order a coffee press and beans and have your coffee ready in a few minutes after it arrives on your doorstep.
