Can You Use Espresso Beans in a French Press?
Can you use espresso beans in a french press is a question that seems to get asked quite frequently. The short answer is yes they can but for the longer explanation including how to use them, please read on.
Espresso coffee beans are not actually a thing, but the term is used to refer to the roasting process for espresso. You roast coffee beans for longer to make espresso coffee for use in an espresso machine. However, this same roast can be used in a french press if you want that espresso flavor.
You also get that high caffeine content and some extra boldness. Slightly coarser ground espresso beans work best with this method as opposed to a finer espresso powder which has been found to cause sediment.
Tip#1 Espresso Beans Grind Sizes For French press
Experiment with different grind sizes to find the one that works best for your espresso beans and french press. You may need to decrease the espresso beans grind size if you want a less espresso flavored cup.
The coarser espresso grind will make it easier for the water to pass through, leaving more of it behind as opposed to finer espresso powder which can clump and cause sediment problems in the resulting coffee. So, can you use espresso beans in a french press? Yes, of course but my answer is always, it is better if you use an espresso machine!
Get a good quality burr grinder especially if you are going to be using an espresso beans grind size for your french press that is slightly coarser. This will ensure that the espresso beans are ground consistently without too many large chunks or coffee dust. You should also try not to overgrind your espresso beans as this produces a bitter flavor even though it may increase caffeine content.
Tip#2 Use a Coarser Grind For a French press
If your espresso beans are not pre-ground, be sure to do so with a coarser grind size than you would use for a typical espresso shot. To grind your coffee beans for an espresso machine, you use a finer espresso powder grind size. The coffee beans grind size for french presses should be coarser and like sea salt rather than like table salt.
french press espresso is not as strong as espresso from an espresso machine and having an espresso beans grind that is too fine can decrease the strength even further. If you want more caffeine, try increasing the water to coffee grounds ratio in your french press instead of trying to make it stronger with a finer ground espresso powder.
Tip#3 How Much Ground Coffee For French Presses?
The first thing is to ensure you are using the best coffee beans you can to make your espresso blends. Even though an espresso bean does not technically exist as explained earlier, choose the right coffee beans and you will be halfway to success when you finally brew coffee to the taste you like.
Add anywhere from 2-4 tablespoons of ground coffee beans per 8 ounces of water, adjusting according to your own taste preferences.
The best way to achieve the perfect amount of ground coffee beans for french presses is by experimenting with different ratios.
If you find that your espresso beans are too strong or too bitter, consider adding more water to the mix in order to dilute the grinds. However, if you prefer a lighter taste without any bitterness or acidity, opt for less water or increase the amount of coffee grounds used.
There is no absolute answer as there is no accounting for taste. The golden rule to remember is that french presses require patience and being careful to allow the french press coffee to settle before engaging the plunger. Experiment with the amount of espresso grounds.
Tip#4 Best Technique For Making French Press Coffee
This is how to make french press coffee with ground espresso beans.
- Put espresso ground in the french press.
- Boil some water and allow the water to stand for about 2 minutes.
- Put hot water in the french press.
- Wait for espresso beans to dissolve fully before pressing it down on the coffee filter at the bottom of the french press.
- Slowly pour out french press coffee into a mug preferably with a handle so it is easy to hold and drink from.
Tip#5 Be Patient With Your French Presses
Allow the espresso beans to steep for 3-5 minutes before slowly pushing down on the plunger. This process ensures that all of the espresso grind is equally saturated in water and will produce a smooth tasting espresso like beverage from your french press.
Your patience will be rewarded, do not be tempted to push down on the espresso plunger early because it could potentially produce an over-extracted espresso like flavor and could be bitter.
Note: Espresso is better pressed than filtered so using a french press might not be recommended for making delicious espresso in comparison to an expensive espresso machine but you can still get some decent results from your french press with practice.
Tip#6 How To Pour French Press Coffee
Believe it or not there is a technique to pouring coffee from a french press. The best way is to place the french press on a flat surface before pouring. Then you want to slowly and carefully pour in concentric circles from the outer ring working your way inward. The last step is to stop just as you reach the inner ring of the filter, which will leave room for cream.
Pouring a finer espresso grind from a french press takes even more practice than with regular coffee because it can pack into the filter, clog it up, and cause an overflow when you go to place your cup below the spout. To prevent this you should allow the sediment to fall to the bottom of the french press and pour even more gently and slowly.
Conclusion
Espresso beans can be used in a french press, but it takes some practice to get the best results. Follow these 6 tips to make espresso in a french press using ground espresso beans:
Use the right coffee beans, and don’t grind too finely.
Add anywhere from 2-4 tablespoons of ground coffee per 8 ounces of water, but experiment for best results.
The best technique is to put the espresso grounds in the french press and add hot water, wait for them to dissolve fully before pressing down on the plunger.
Be patient and let the espresso grounds steep for 3-5 minutes before slowly pushing down on the plunger.
Finally pour concentric circles from outer ring ensuring your french press coffee is poured slowly and carefully.
