Can You Make Espresso with a French Press? (How To Make Espresso with A French Press + More Information)

Espresso machines are known to be the best for making espresso. However, if you don’t have one and want to make an occasional cup, you may be asking, “Can you make espresso with a French press?” Let’s find out below.

Yes, you can make espresso using a French press.

With the correct method and coffee grinds, you can make an amazing espresso. I learned this sometime back when we went camping with just the basics, including a French press. I decided to find out if I could still enjoy my daily latte in the bush, away from home and Starbucks. So I went looking for how to do it. If you are in a similar position or would like to enjoy an espresso-based beverage at home with a French Press, keep reading to find out how.

How do you make espresso with a French press coffee?

Can You Make Espresso with a French Press?

Recipe for making espresso with a French press coffee

Kai Jordan

Equipment

  • French press
  • Stirrer

Ingredients
  

  • Hot water
  • Medium-fine coffee grinds

Instructions
 

  • Start by heating the water and bringing it almost to a boil. We use 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds for each cup, but you can adjust it to suit your taste preference.
  • As the water heats, add the coffee grounds to the French press.
  • Add about half the hot water into the press. Let it steep for about 4 minutes.
  • Then pour in the rest of the water and stir. Let it steep for a further 3–5 minutes. The longer it steeps, the stronger the brew.
  • After steeping, start pressing down on the plunger slowly until halfway. Pull it back up, then plunge it down all the way. Expect a layer of foam on top, which looks similar to the crema that you'd see in your usual espresso shot.
  • Lastly, serve your delicious espresso made in a French press into a warm cup and enjoy.

Notes

  • If you want it to have the familiar espresso look, then pour it through a cloth, paper, or filter. However, we normally skip this step as we find it to alter the espresso flavor.

How much espresso do you put in a French press?

Can You Make Espresso with a French Press? 
French press. Image source: Pixabay

Two tablespoons of espresso coffee grind for every cup is the average measurement. After learning how to brew espresso using a French press, it’s crucial to keep in mind that each person has different preferences. You’ll get the best results if you choose the best water and the best bean roast and fine-tune your procedure. Experiment to determine what works for you. Likely, you will fail a few times before you find the proportions that suit you best.

FAQ Section

How long does it take for a French press to make espresso?

It takes about 7–9 minutes to make espresso using a French press. 3–4 minutes to steep the coffee grinds in half the hot water and another 4–5 minutes of steeping after pouring in all the hot water.

 Does French press espresso taste better?

It depends on your taste and preferences. While an espresso machine makes delicate, highly caffeinated, sweet coffee, use a French press if you like yours to be aromatic, full-bodied, and strong. 

Which grind level is best for French press espresso? 

The ideal grind level for French press espresso is medium fine. Although very fine grinds are used in espresso coffee machines, finer grinds are harder to strain out of a French press, resulting in sediments in your coffee cup.

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