which beans reign supreme or which roast is the most bodied, but today we’re discussing brewing method. More specifically, we’re pitting two popular techniques up against each other: the French press vs. the drip brewer. Now, you might have some pre-conceived notions about both techniques (raise your hand if you think the French press is for coffee snobs only) but we’re boiling it down to the cold, hard facts in today’s battle of the brew. Let’s find out which method comes out on top!
FRENCH PRESS

Pros
Timeliness This one is a close call! While your average drip brewer can produce a pot of coffee in about 5-10 minutes, a French press can make your morning brew in 5-8 minutes. That will count for boiling your water and allowing for your coffee to steep for the recommended amount of time, 2-3 minutes. While the French press might just narrowly have the edge here, every minute counts when you’re rushing out the door for work! Control One of the defining differences between these two methods is that you get to control how the water is poured over the grounds with a French press. The fact that you get to determine the speed and coverage of your pour allows you to customize your brew in a way automatic machines simply do not allow. Not only this but the aspect of steeping (a.k.a. allowing the coffee grounds to soak in the hot water) gives the brewer lots of freedom; the longer the grounds sit, the more flavorful cup you’ll get. Overall Brew Few brewing methods can trump what the French press can offer as far as quality. If you want bodied, rich flavored coffee, the French press is going to win every time. And, honestly, who doesn’t want that?!Cons
Specific Grounds To make French pressed coffee, you can’t just use any old beans from your local grocery store. Regular grounds are usually too fine and can easily clog your filter. Coarse grounds are required, which typically means you have to buy whole beans and grind them yourself. Not just that, but consistency is everything; it’s imperative to get an even grind to get the most flavorful brew possible. Ease-of-Use While the French press gradually becomes easier to use (it’s like second nature to us now!) beginners to home brewing might find drip methods easier to navigate. There’s a bit more of an art to using a French press, as far as heating up the water, using the correct amount of grounds and plunging at the correct time. However, once you get the knack of using your French press, the process becomes almost cathartic! Capacity Making coffee for a crowd? The French press might not be your friend. Your typical press can only make about 3-4 cups, which is perfect for an individual or a small family—but when it comes to entertaining, it will take a larger machine to accommodate for a crowd. That being said, there are larger French presses available! One of our favorites is this 51 oz. model which can make up to 12 cups at a time.DRIP COFFEE

Pros
Convenience When it comes to ease-of-use, drip brewing has an undeniable advantage. Some models are programmable, so the coffee begins brewing at a pre-set time, and it’s simple enough to spoon out coffee grounds and pour tap water into the machine’s well. Capacity Unlike the French press, most drip brewers can make plenty of coffee in one go. While you need to invest in a special sized press to get up to 12 cups of coffee, pretty much any $20 drip brewer can get you that amount of coffee in an easy 10 minutes.Cons
Temperature According to the National Coffee Association, water that is between 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for optimal extraction, and therefore makes a more flavorful cup of coffee. Oftentimes, automatic drip brewers simply cannot reach this ideal temperature, and you have no way of changing it. Uneven Distribution The device that allows the hot water to drip over the grounds, therefore creating coffee, is called a “showerhead.” In most automatic brewers, the “head” does not actually distribute water evenly over the grounds, thus creating an uneven and unsavory brew. Little to No Customization You know those buttons on your average drip brewer that say “Stronger” or “Bolder”? Well, those are essentially just gimmicks trying to make you feel as if you’re controlling the flavor/strength of your coffee. In reality, you’re not. These machines have very specific, pre-programmed actions, and there is truly no controlling them. Speed Drip brewing takes a little more time than your French press unless you’re using a single-serve drip brew method (like a Keurig, for example). While it usually takes 5-8 minutes to use a French press (although there are admittedly more steps), it takes 5-10 minutes to brew a pot of drip coffee.SO, WHAT WINS IN THE FRENCH PRESS VS. DRIP BATTLE?
