Almost everybody begins their day with a cup of drip Joe. Yet, do you know that Moka pot vs French press might be an excellent place to start if you would like to take your coffee game to the next level?
These coffee makers may take a little more time to get the brew properly than your normal pot of coffee. Hence, you’ll acquire skills and drink lots of wonderful coffee in the process, so it’ll be worthwhile.
With that in mind, let’s contrast the two units, examine what each piece of equipment can create, and figure out which is best for you.
What Is A Moka Pot?
The Moka pot is an iron stove-top device that employs steam to brew coffee grounds (though electric variants are recently available).
It was first developed in 1933 by an Italian engineer named Alfonso Bialetti. And it has since evolved into a popular item. Bialetti Industrie, in fact, continues to produce Moka pots with a similar initial model nowadays.
That was a brief history lesson. What is the mechanism behind it?
It makes a superb cup of strong joe with freshly ground beans and is available in many sizes for different applications.
The principle behind is straightforward. To make joe, two distinct compartments: the filter, and the boiler, are utilized. Steam is generated by boiling water inside a boiler, which will then be circulated through the coffee to release tastes and smells.
Although the Moka-pot-made coffee produces a small foam, it contains far more caffeine than just espresso. The drink cannot be defined as espresso, but these Moka pots are occasionally known as stove-top espresso machines.
How Does Moka Pot Coffee Taste?
If you’re craving espresso but can’t go to a cafe, you can’t go wrong with the Moka Pot. We were pleased to realize this because the Moka pot’s extraction is the closest you can get for a high-pressure shot like Espresso one without using an espresso machine.
What Is A French Press?
The French press was designed in Italy (rather than France!) and trademarked in 1929.
The French press coffee maker comes with two major components: a see-through beaker, and a cover with a plunger that fits snugly into it. To remove the grinds from your java extraction, this plunger is equipped with a nylon mesh or wire (stainless steel) filter.
Ground coffee of a rougher texture is required for this brewing procedure. If the beans are crushed too thoroughly, it will likely become bitter. This result is because finely ground coffee is more prone to soak through the filter’s pores and go into the brew or induce over-extraction.
It’s also quite simple to create a French press. Ground coffee is poured into the beaker, which is then filled with hot water to make a fresh brew. Wait for 2 to 4 minutes for the drink to complete, but any longer will cause the java to become harsh. The thick grounds are then pushed to the bottom by pressing the piston.
How Does A French Press Taste?
Rather than absorbing taste, the French press distributes it by adding tiny fragments of ground coffee to the drink. The flavor profile of the French press is significantly more complex.
Since the grinds are soaked for several minutes, the water pulls out a lot of the flavors in the beans. It creates a full-bodied, milder taste that only a few types of java can achieve.
Moka Pot vs French Press: Which One is Better?
We’ve tested many times to evaluate every feature of these two drinks. So, now let’s take a glance at the notable aspects that significantly determine your choice.
Timing: Bean To Brew
When researching a new brewing process, the preparation period should always be a major consideration.
How much time do you want to devote to brewing your beverage? Is this for a quick morning jog or a relaxing weekend getaway? Do you have the patience to wait?
The most time-consuming aspect of using a Moka pot is boiling the water.
The actual removal doesn’t take much time when the water hits a boil. You’d better never leave the pot unchecked, though, since you’ll almost certainly end up having a bitter taste. You’ll only need 10 minutes from beginning to end if you make the bag of grinds ahead of time.
You can’t prepare something beforehand for a French press. Every java batch should be crushed promptly. Meanwhile, it’s advisable to keep the water to just below boiling. The steeping and plunging operation will require another 5 minutes. It is feasible to build a decent routine, but the entire process will still take 10 to 15 minutes.
Final Verdict: Though it is a tight race, the Moka pot takes less preparation time, brew, and wash up.
Grind Efficiency and Versatility
A specific brew basket comes with each Moka pot, which you load with coffee grounds. The amazing part about such machines would be that users can use any pre-ground joe since the normal grind setup is adequate.
There is ample room to fine-tune your grind if you choose to grind the beans. Do not go too small. If not, the liquid won’t be capable of passing through the grinds, resulting in poor extraction.
Since the French press greatly depends on steeping, the java should be crushed as roughly as possible to optimize the surface area available for absorption.
What exactly does this imply?
If you would like the greatest brew, you’ll have to purchase a crusher since the greatest brews are made from roughly ground beans. If you just dump your regular fine grounds into your French Press, there is no chance for a great cup of joe.
Final Verdict: It’s a draw if you already own a grinder. Or else, the Moka pot gets the nod for accepting pre-ground one.
Brewing Simplicity
Moka pots certainly require almost no skill at first, and you always have chances to perfect your techniques over time. Moka pots’ main trade-off is their possibility for under-extraction, which occurs more frequently than you’d want.
When this occurs, it’s usually due to a problem with the tamping and grinding size. Both of these problems can be addressed, though that may take a few brews to determine which mixture of tamping method and grind size gives you the best extraction. Remember that tamping should be treated lightly. The water will not pass through the grinds if you tamp too firmly.
The French Press involves some skill, but the brewing technique, in our opinion, is more trustworthy. You are more likely to get a robust, flavorful brew than using Moka pots. There is always the potential for refining and perfecting your method, just as there is with Moka pots. However, fewer factors are taken into account.
Final Verdict: The French press takes the crown this time for its high potential for a high-quality coffee shot. That said, both techniques produce excellent java.
The Final Result – Taste, Quality
Moka pots use a pressurized system to make java, identical to how espresso is made. Yet Moka pots extract at a considerably lower force than espresso makers, so they aren’t quite a substitute. It does, however, provide a far more intense drink than drip and French press. In a Moka pot brew, there’s also the chance of obtaining a touch of delicious crema.
The French press focuses on the oils and tastes roasted inside the bean to make the greatest java, which provides a lot of potential for flavor variety. Steeping also tends to produce a thick, often greasy mouthfeel without particularly adding taste.
This is something that some individuals appreciate; therefore, it’s a personal decision. Generally, French presses remove a lot of subtle taste and make relatively light roasted coffees seem full-bodied.
Final Verdict: A second tie – The Moka pot produces a stronger cup of joe (similar to the Italian espresso). On the other hand, you’ll get a creamy, fragrant blend from the French Press. It all boils down to your preference.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moka Pot vs French Press
1. Is Moka Coffee Equal To Espresso In Strength?
Although not as powerful as espresso, Moka pot coffee lives up to that quality than typical drip coffee. As for caffeine, the Moka pot creates a highly rich and strongly scented beverage that falls below conventional espresso and cold brew but still outperforms the French press and drip.
2. What Size Moka Pot Do I Need For One Person?
Moka pots are available in various sizes; choose one that will brew enough for your requirements. A Bialetti stove-top espresso machine comes in various sizes: 1-cup, 3-cup, 6-cup, 9/10-cup, or even 12-cup. Bear in mind that most people will dilute java made by Moka pots because it’s too strong to consume directly.
3. What Is The Cause Of My Bitter Moka Pot Coffee?
You will certainly end up with bitter coffee if you over-extract the ground. This unexpected outcome commonly occurs when the water reservoir is overfilled, leading to cooked java and a harsh cuppa.
4. Is a French Press More Caffeinated Than A Regular Coffee?
Due to its high strength, espresso contains more caffeine in each unit volume than many other java beverages. Surprisingly, each 8-ounce cup of French press drink has a whopping 108 milligrams of caffeine. This high content indicates that a cup of French press joe has more caffeine in it than a single espresso shot. It’s understandable because each espresso shot is only 2 ounces.
5. Is Using A Stainless Steel French Press Safe?
100% safety tested!
It lasts a long time, absorbs heat efficiently, and is portable. French presses made of stainless steel are also easy to clean and, in many circumstances, dishwasher-friendly.
Final Thoughts
If you detest strong coffee or espresso but need something more delicious than just an automatic drip, a French press is a way to go.
A Moka pot is popular among those who want coffee with little sediment and a drink similar to espresso.
In the end, neither method – Moka Pot vs French Press – is truly preferable for all coffee aficionados because they brew differently and employ distinct approaches. To be clear, they aren’t quite comparable, but the winner is primarily determined by personal preference.
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Almost 20 years already spent committed to coffee and more than 3 years of experience as a barista at Starbucks. Madelyn Doyle graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutritional Science from the University of California and finished the Coffee Skills Program at the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA).