Many coffee drinkers probably know there’s more than one way to brew a cup of Joe. While a drip coffee maker is most commonly found in offices and kitchens across the country, another popular way to brew your coffee is with a French press. But what’s the history of the French press, and why should you consider using one? Continue reading to find out.
Should we call it an Italian press?
It’s believed that the French press—also known as a cafetière, coffee press or coffee plunger—was originally invented in 1852 by two French inventors. However, their rudimentary device was merely a cheesecloth screen fitted to a rod that allowed users to strain coffee grounds from hot water. The first patent for a French press was issued in 1929 to Italians Attilio Calimani and Giulio Moneta.
The design was enhanced and re-patented in 1958 by another Italian, Faliero Bondanini. His modern French press features a narrow, cylindrical beaker fitted with a metal lid and a plunger. The plunger has a mesh filter made of metal that allows users to easily drain their grounds from piping hot water into their cups.
The device’s rising popularity
Bondanini’s design was widely manufactured by a French company under the brand name Chambord. The device was easy to use and produced coffee with rich flavors, making it extremely popular across Europe. Due to Chambord’s popularity, a British company called Household Articles Ltd. started manufacturing a similar device called the La Cafetière which only made the French press more widely used worldwide.
What are the benefits of a French press?
Whether you call it a French press, Chambord, cafetière, coffee press, coffee plunger or something else, the device has a number of advantages over other coffee makers:
- Flavor: The main advantage of a French press is that the coffee has an overall better taste. Because there’s no paper coffee filter, more oils inside the beans make it into your cup. You’ll get more of that coffee flavor, and you’ll be able to better distinguish between different types of beans.
- More control: Unlike a drip coffee maker, a French press gives you complete control of your coffee’s strength and taste. For example, by using hotter water and letting the grounds steep for longer before pouring, you’ll have a stronger and more flavorful cup of Joe.
- Storage and portability: The only two components of a French press are the water container and the plunger. Unlike a bulky drip coffee maker, you can easily store your French press in your kitchen cabinet instead of leaving it out on the counter. A French press can also fit in your luggage, so there’s no need to drink gross hotel coffee when you’re on the road!
Upgrade your office’s beverages by calling us
If you’re tired of drinking the same old boring coffee, talk to our team at Armstrong Coffee Service. We provide a variety of beverage equipment for offices to ensure every employee gets the perfect cup of coffee every day.