Specialty coffee drinks from a French Press?

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Permalink Reply by Bel Townsend on May 12, 2008 at 2:35am

Hey,
I've heard of a French Press, but I've got to admit, I don't actually know what they are,I've certainly never used one. I am interested though, because I agree that espresso often isn't the best way to get the full flavour. I am one of those annoying people who ask for drip in posh espresso bars...!

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Permalink Reply by Kayakman on May 12, 2008 at 2:45am

Here is a nice article at CoffeeGeek that might help you understand: How to Use a Press Pot.

BTW... press pot and Fresh Press are two names for the same brewing method.

French Press is much better way of brewing than the drip method... I think you will like this method once you try it.

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Permalink Reply by Bel Townsend on May 12, 2008 at 3:00am

OH!! Doh. A Cafetiere!!! Of course, yeah I have (counts) at least two, possibly three of them. I've never realised a French Press was the same thing, I had images of this huge contraption with springs in or something.... :-)

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Permalink Reply by Kayakman on May 12, 2008 at 3:19am

lol... thats cool

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Permalink Reply by Bel Townsend on May 12, 2008 at 3:27am

Realistically though, in a cafe situation,would you give everyone their own cafetiere? We used to in my cafe, but only when people specifically asked for a certain coffee. The vast majority of customers just wanted standard lattes and cappuccinos though, the cafetieres were reserved for only a select few! If you had a cafe that only did french press/cafetiere coffee, you'd need hundreds of the things. Either that or have several behind the bar and press everyone an individual cup? Would that work?

Of the few coffee shops I know who offer cafetieres (cannot get used to calling them press pots, sorry) you get a choice of coffees, and then a big or small cafetiere depending on whether it was for one or two people sharing. I like those places, because in comparison buying cafetiere coffee is often considerably cheaper than buying the espresso based ones!!

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Permalink Reply by Kayakman on May 12, 2008 at 4:09am

I am thinking that if the quality and the flavor of the bean/roast matters... why not push the French Press made coffee? Its not the fastest method, so if your a drive-thru coffeehouse this will not work for you.

For those who have or want to encourage a "coffee-to-stay" culture in their coffeehouse... placing emphasis on the French Press coffee over and above the espresso might be advantageous.

The way it is now, if you order a coffee drink made from special blends your normally get the drip made coffee... which is not even close to the quality of the French Press.

also I have never seen latte made from French Pressed coffee. So are people getting less flavor?

As you said, ordering coffee this way is cheaper, but having 100s of these around the coffeehouse could also be crazy.

My main point is, why not try and promote different brewing methods to improve quality of flavor. Why not make specialty drinks from French Pressed coffee?

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Permalink Reply by Bel Townsend on May 12, 2008 at 4:16am

Is it actually possible? An espresso shot is... what, 30ml? Would you pour out 30ml of pressed coffee and attempt latte art on the top of that? Does it actually behave in the same way? I wouldn't have thought it does. I get cafetieres when I'm in the mood for strong black coffee,I've never attempted adding milk and foam and all the rest of it.
Unless I am misunderstanding you, and that is not what you mean by 'speciality' drinks?

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Permalink Reply by Kayakman on May 12, 2008 at 4:43am

you do understand me.

this is worth trying... if only to see taste the full flavor of the bean and roast in the latte or cappuccino.

i guess i just wish that the industry could be more creative in ways like this and also had desire to yield the best guilty full flavored coffee drinks... ITS NOT ALWAYS ABOUT THE SPEED!!!!

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Permalink Reply by Charlie Biando on May 12, 2008 at 5:19am

(drinking some french pressed Tega and Tula from Stumptown while replying):

I agree that the French Press is an great alternative to brewing coffee. I don't know that it's better than any other way. Some coffees were meant for drip and some people love their drip.

That being said, I've seen press pots make believers out of nonbelievers and coffee drinkers out of (clearing throat and looking to see who's around me)...tea drinkers.

I think more shops should french press-brew their coffee instead of drip-brew. I believe Stumptown does this (not sure) and the Ugly Mug, in Yspi, Michigan, did/still does this to great effect (affect?).

I've heard of cafes giving out press pots to customers.

I think this is probably the worst idea ever. Even if one were to print out very clear and simple directions, there would still be way too many people that wouldn't understand it and would want you to do it for them.

Press pots are also quasi-delicate things. People are naturally idiots. And as Jeff Goldblum once stated, "Nature finds a way."

Prediction: In the year '09 Obama will positively kick the US's ass (sighing), everyone will ride a bike, and every coffee shop in Philadelphia will french press...but not change from La Columbe (ugh!).

love,
Charlie

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Permalink Reply by Kayakman on May 12, 2008 at 5:43am

when it comes to well selected freshly beans, the French Press does provide a more full flavor than the drip method. It actually allows you to taste the difference! Another benefit for using the French Press is that the coffee would be made fresh with each order.

I have seen some coffeehouses actually serving in French Presses... but I agree with you, this may not be such a good idea due to the high possibility (or probability) of user error.

---
Has anybody made a latte or cappuccino from French Press brewed coffee?

If so, how did it turn out?

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Permalink Reply by Virgil Hovar on May 12, 2008 at 6:15am

I'd like to give French Press a try at our cafe. We don't have a large brewed coffee business and at times we have to make a pot of drip for a single customer and the balance of the pot goes down the drain.

We already have a similar issue with what do do with the press from a customer standpoint. We already offer loose leaf tea in a tea press and have historically given them to the customer to handle. Charlie is correct in that at times there is no amount on instruction that seems to help. Plus we have constant loss of pots due to mis-handling either by the customer or our employees. We've tried a couple different styles and still haven't found one we like that is durable. The constand breakage has made us really reconsider how we are doing our tea.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Trujillo on May 12, 2008 at 7:32am

I would like to add to the very first comment about the French press and having different methods of brewing specialty coffee and creating an unbelievable cup of brew. I have often thought that providing options to the customer would help create an excitement to experiment and find what is their favorite way to brew. Since the CLOVER is typically to expensive for most small business', then the alternative would be a Melllita one cup brew or French press. We provide a Mellitta one cup brew from 3:00 to 7:00 pm so we do not waste coffee in the evening by brewing a 3 litre air pot when we have a slow drip night. Customers love it. I want to create an atmosphere where the customer uses the larger French press where 2-3 people can take the press to their table and share. Do any of you do this now and if so, what is the feedback??

thanks
Mark

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