Design-y French Presses That Make a Great Cup of Coffee |

Before I became a total semi-automatic espresso machine snob, I used to start my mornings by making coffee with my French press. I’d boil water and pour it over the grounds, maybe make a little breakfast while I waited for it to steep, then satisfyingly press down and pour the freshly brewed coffee out. It was simple and ritualistic, and it made a tasty cup of joe. So, if the espresso world is too much faff for your routine, I can still vouch: a French press is an excellent alternative.

The thing I admire about a French press (or cafetiere) is that it’s a stripped-back and more analogue way to indulge in caffeine, but it’s still gourmet. It’s not necessarily a debate of whether you should get a coffee machine or a French press, as they produce a different kind of brew, but rather which is right for your routine. Espresso machines make concentrated, pressurized shots, while French presses make something more akin to a cup of ‘black coffee’. And furthermore, while drip coffee makers, pour-overs, and French presses all result in a cup of black coffee, the brewing methods are quite different and yield their own distinct flavors. A French press, with its metal filter and coarser grounds, lets natural coffee oils and tiny particles pass into your cup, making the coffee thick, rich, and heavy.