Are you looking for the best way to brew your morning coffee? Generally, using a French press and a Moka pot are two popular methods. A French press is suitable if you want the fastest way to brew coffee – it’s simple yet effective. However, if you need a brewer that provides a stronger flavor and aroma, then consider using a Moka pot instead.
In this article, you’ll find out what makes these two brewing methods great and how the Moka pot vs French press differ.
French Press vs Moka Pot: Definition, Pros & Cons
French Press
A French press is a coffee maker that involves brewing coffee by placing beans in a press, to filter out the remaining grounds. For beginners, using a French press for coffee involves:
- Heating water on the stovetop or microwave (or both) until boiling.
- Adding grounds.
- Pour hot water over them.
- Wait 30 seconds before plunging the resulting mixture through its filter.
- Discard any undissolved residue left behind after filtering.
- Repeat steps 4-6 with more hot water if necessary.
Pros
Some of the advantages of using a French Press include the following:
- French Press is a simple coffee maker that’s easy to use
- It can be used outdoors and produces a bold flavor when brewed properly
- French Press gives you a rich mouthfeel taste of coffee by directly capturing oils
- Allows you to adjust the concentration of your brew
Cons
It’s important to understand the few drawbacks associated with French Press brewing methods:
- Using fine brew may leave behind some sediments
- Your brew may become acidic
Moka Pot
Using a Moka pot is an old Italian coffee brewing method using a two-chambered device on a stovetop. Since it’s also portable, you can take yours anywhere and make your favorite coffee on the go! Additionally, the Moka pot electric option is great if you’re looking for an easy-to-use method that produces coffee with rich, more concentrated flavors.
You’ll need to be more attentive when using this brewing method because there’s more room for error compared to French Press or drip coffee maker. However, once everything goes right (and it usually does!) your moka pot espresso will be worth it.
The Moka Pot uses fine to medium-fine grinds; if you use too fine of Moka pot’s grind size, then sediment will collect at the bottom after brewing.
Pros
Here are a few pros of using a Moka pot to consider before buying:
- Produces more servings per brew
- It can be used with any heat source
- Produces a bold, strong flavor profile
Cons
A few things to keep in mind about the Moka pot that aren’t so great include:
- Requires a more hands-on brewing process
- The chances of burning the coffee grounds are higher
French Press vs Moka Pot: Things to Consider
Before you invest in a coffee maker, you need to understand the features of the different types. For example, with a French press, how much coffee does it produce? How do the different brews taste?
A French press is perfect if you enjoy strong coffee and want to make several cups. This is because the French Press uses more pressure when brewing your coffee than other methods. It means more contact between your beans and the water inside them, resulting in a stronger taste and a better extraction rate.
However, if you prefer less intense flavors with your brews or don’t have time to wait around while they steep overnight before drinking them, invest in a Moka pot instead! Moka pots allow people with little experience brewing their own java at home to create clean-tasting single-serve cups every day.
But how do you decide between French press vs Moka pot? Here are some things to consider:
1. Ease of Brewing Process
Unless you’re a barista in training, you most likely want the quickest, simplest brewing method that tastes great. So before you buy your coffee maker, you need to research the Moka pot and French press and find out what the different brewing methods entail.
Moka pots require more attention and time to brew. Meanwhile, with the French Press, you can set your timer, add water, and steep for 5-7 minutes until done.
French presses are faster because they’re steeped, while Moka pots are lightly pressurized. This means there’s less chance of overstepping your coffee grounds, resulting in a bitter cup of java. And you can always use Google to search “French press how to use,” or check the French press instructions if you’re a rookie.
2. The Resulting Taste
One of the most important things in comparing brewing techniques is the ultimate taste of your brew. The Moka pot vs French press have significantly different taste ranges, catering to different palettes.
With a Moka pot coffee, the result is a bolder, stronger taste with more texture & richness. If you’ve ever had coffee made in a French press and then tasted the same brew made in a Moka Pot (or vice versa), you’ll know there are significant differences.
The French press produces a syrupy & thicker brew due to its heat-intensive method. As such, this method’s resulting coffee is sourer than coffee made by drip-brewing or pour-over brewing techniques. This can be attributed to some of its components being boiled for longer periods during preparation rather than simply steaming them beforehand.
On the other hand, the Moka pot works best to produce stronger-tasting coffee by creating pressure as the grounds heat up inside its base plates (which act as an insulator). This means they ensure not to burn anything when making espresso drinks like lattes or cappuccinos.
3. Brewing Time
If you want a quick cup on the go in the mornings, then you’ll have to compare which one will brew easier between the Moka pot vs French press. After all, you want a simple brew that’ll take only some time while rushing for work. You’ll want to consider the French press coffee ratio to gauge how many cups you’ll get per brew.
The French press takes less time to brew. It takes about 5-7 minutes but produces only three to eight servings. Meanwhile, the Moka pot takes longer to brew, up to 9 minutes, and is a more hands-on process.
Both methods are manual coffee makers that require grinding, steeping, or boiling and waiting for the water level to drop before putting another pack of beans (or syrup). Additionally, each method requires you to stamp down your grounds manually so they do not float around during brewing. The grind for French press is usually more coarse than coffee for Moka pots.
4. Portability and Maintenance
Moka pots are robust and can withstand the heat of brewing coffee, but they need to be placed on a stove or oven to keep them warm enough for brewing. Meanwhile, French press coffee makers are more flexible and can be carried anywhere, even if you’re going camping.
You’ll have to clean up after every French press use or brew of your Moka pot because they don’t usually preserve your coffee for long. And in that regard, the French press seems easier to clean. A simple rinse-out after every use with hot water is all it takes! It’s pretty flexible too. In fact, you can use your French press for a cold brew on a hot day.
Top Product Picks
The French Press and the Moka pot are great tools for making coffee. You may wonder why there’s even an argument about which method is better when both produce delicious cups of joe! Here are some top picks for the French press and Moka pot brewing methods:
1. Bialetti Moka Express
Prepare to experience exquisite coffee with the Bialetti Moka Express. This Moka pot’s stainless steel material delivers bold and strong coffee flavors, cup after cup. The machine is easy enough to use, whatever your experience level with coffee making.
As a bonus, it comes in various sizes to serve your Moka pot coffee. If you need a pick-me-up before beginning your day, Bialetti Moka is the right one for you!
2. New Brikka, Moka Pot Stovetop Coffee Maker
The new technology with silicone membrane, combined with the characteristics of the Moka, ensures a result in the cup similar to the espresso in the bar: full-bodied, intense, and with a persistent cream
3. Moka Express Alpina
Made in Italy and its quality is enhanced by the patented safety valve which makes it easy to clean and its ergonomic handle, is available in many sizes and suitable for gas, electric, and induction (with the Bialetti induction adapter plate)
Moka Express is the original stovetop espresso maker, it provides the experience of the authentic Italian way of preparing a tasteful coffee, its unique shape and the inimitable gentleman with mustache date back to 1933 when Alfonso Bialetti invented it.
4. Musa Induction Espresso Coffee Maker
A TIMELESS CLASSIC
Premium finishes and renewed design for a coffee maker suitable even for the most elegant environments. The new boiler with thick walls gives safety and quality to the cup, the anti-scald handle is ergonomic and non-slip.
MADE TO LAST
Made of 18/10 steel to work also on induction cooking tops, it maintains its shine and its original characteristics even after prolonged use.
5. Coffee Gator Moka Pot
So if you’re an American aficionado, a cappuccino connoisseur or you’re manic for mocha then this stovetop brewer is your ticket to coffee nirvana.
Whether you’re cooking with gas, or on an induction hob, our coffee percolator adds a touch of class to any home. Crafted from premium aluminum, with a steam safety valve, and a cool touch handle, it truly epitomizes substance and style.
6. Bodum Chambord French Press Coffee Maker
CHAMBORD is a true original – the classic French Press coffee maker designed in the 1950s to honor the iconic Château de Chambord in France.
We still produce it with the same painstaking craftsmanship we used back then. Our Chambord is proudly made in Europe, just as it has always been.
7. Bodum Brazil French Press Coffee and Tea Maker
The French press coffee maker is the simplest of all brewing systems, where coarsely ground beans meet hot water right off the boil. The right temperature (92–96 °C, 195–205 °F) brings the optimal extraction power for the essential oils in the beans to develop their full flavor profile in just four minutes. An easy press on the plunger locks the grinds at the bottom of the glass carafe and stops the brewing process.
8. Espro P3 French Press
The Espro P3 French Press delivers smooth cup after cup of flavorful coffee thanks to its bucket-shaped double filter! Thanks to this quality French press filter, you’ll enjoy the thick, syrupy flavor that leaves your brew grit-free.
This French Press’ glass design creates a balanced flavor by keeping the grounds separate from water preventing a bitter taste. So, no matter how long you leave your French press coffee, your last cup will taste just as good as the first!
9. Stanley Travel Mug French Press
Got to have your French press coffee but can’t sit still long enough to savor it? Meet your match. Enjoy the taste of your own French-pressed coffee made just to your liking anytime, anywhere.
Featuring a drink-thru opening and leak-proof lid, this vacuum-insulated mug will keep your coffee hot for 4 hours.
10. Stanley The Stay-Hot French Press
Designed with double vacuum insulation, this French Press not only allows you to make an amazing cup of Joe but can also keep it hot for up to 4 hours to enjoy as you go It can keep cold drinks cold for up to 9 hours
We designed this with two layers of naturally BPA-free 18/8 stainless steel walls to provide superior insulation The mesh plunger is strong enough to keep animals in their field but fine enough to keep grounds out of your cup
Conclusion
How French press coffee measures up against Moka pot espresso boils down to your preferences. If you’re flexible and want more flavor options in your brews, then choosing an all-in-one system like a Moka pot electric or stovetop espresso maker will save time and money. Ultimately, the choice between French press vs Moka pot is up to your preferences, so brew away!
