French Press vs Moka Pot: Which Is Best For You?

Italians are known for their amazing coffee. So it is not surprising that two of the best coffee making methods were also introduced by them. You may have lately been hearing about The French Press vs Moka Pot battle. Coffee lovers have two different brewing methods, each with their own unique flavor. I went through and did some some research on each of these brewing methods to find out about the the pros and cons of the Moka Pot and French Press.

We will be looking at everything you need to know about the two methods. So without wasting any time, let’s directly dive into it!

How The French Press Works?

People normally find the the French press produces a full-bodied and rich cup of coffee. This is is due to its brewing method which involves immersing the course coffee grounds in hot water which extracts more of the flavor and oils from the coffee grounds. Brewing coffee with a French Press is a straight forward process.

French Press Brewing Method:

 
  1. Grind the coffee beans to course grind size that allows more flavor to be extracted
  2. Heat the water and remove from heat once it starts to boil
  3. Remove the plunger and add the coffee grounds to the French Press
  4. Pour the hot water on the grounds and stir and allow the coffee to bloom for 5  minutes
  5. Add the plunger and push the fine mesh plunger down slowly to extract the coffee

The brewing time allows you to control the flavor and strength of the coffee. The result is a full-bodied and rich flavored coffee.

One question that people have asked is French Press coffee stronger than espresso? The short answer – no. Although both of them are quite strong, usually espresso takes the cake. However, you can expect the french press to be bolder.

The Pros

  • Richer taste and full-bodied
  • Easy to follow the method
  • Overall smooth and aromatic blend
  • Faster to brew

The Cons

  •  Tedious to clean french press up
  •  Usually made of glass, making it fragile
  •  Fine coffee grit may get past the fine-mesh strainer

How does a Moka Pot work?

Making coffee using a Moka Pot is a little more involved then the French Press and produces a coffee closely resembling espresso. Coffee brewed by this method provides the intense flavor and crema of traditional espresso. There are multiple names for Moka pots, with one of them being “stovetops espresso maker.” You might hear the Moka Pot method referred to as “The Cowboy Method” because of its ability to be made on an open flame.

 The Moka pot has three main compartments; the top pourer, removable filter, and the water reservoir. The coffee-making process is easy and just involves simple rules to produce a strong coffee cup almost on par with espresso.

Moka Pot Brewing Method:

 
  1. If store-bought or freshly ground, make sure it’s espresso or fine ground
  2. Fill the bottom chamber with water up to the safety release valve level
  3. Replace the middle coffee filter into the bottom chamber
  4. Add finely-ground coffee to the filter 
  5. Screw on the upper pour chamber and tighten 
  6. Put the Moka pot on a stovetop on medium heat

Once you see that the water has started to boil, it will be pushed upwards due to the steam pressure through coffee grounds. The final product is extracted into the top pour chamber.

 The Moka pot method may have sounded a bit more complicated, but once you get the hang of it, you’d realize that it mainly relies on steam. So, does Moka pot make good coffee? This method offers a lot of customization, and if you are a fan of intense coffee, you will love it.

The Pros

  •  High customizability
  •  Higher intensity
  •  Easy to use
  •  Moka pots are durable

The Cons

  • Difficult for first-timers
  • Temperature determines quality

Which is better, French Press or Moka Pot?

Now that we have gone over how each method works and the pros and cons they have to offer – which one takes the lead? When you directly compare both ways side-by-side, you would realize that Moka pot can be a bit more complicated. The important rule is to fill the bottom chamber below the release valve opening.

On the other hand, the french press is much simpler, faster, and the coffee you brew is not only stronger and richer in taste. With that in mind – the french press is the winner but only a couple of points ahead. Nothing against all the Moka pot lovers out there, and of course, it is still a great option. If you are skilled with this method, then the chances are that you will be able to make espresso level coffee at your home. But this is one of its significant drawbacks as well. If you want to satisfy your coffee cravings urgently, then the french press is simply more convenient.

 Regardless of whichever method you opt for, what matters the most is how much you enjoy your coffee! If you find that Moka pot helps you steer clear through the day and keeps you awake, that is for you. On the other hand, if you like the convenience that the french press has to offer, you can go for that. There are some side benefits though that the Moka pot method provides, with one of them being portability. As Moka pots are usually made from stainless steel and aluminum, they are easy to carry around, unlike french press that can prove fragile. So, this is still a huge plus for all the Moka pot lovers out there!

The Verdict

We hope you now understand everything you need to know about the two methods, and will easily be able to brew some fantastic coffee at your home. Although it is a tough decision to make, the french press method takes the lead. Although Moka pot is more intense, the richer taste of the french press, and combined with how easy it is to brew, help it secure the top position.

It all depends on preferences, if you are a fan of a more intense coffee, then you will undoubtedly vote for Moka pot. And if you love the simplicity and convenience French press has to offer, you will opt for that.

We’re an affiliate

We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, we may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Thank you if you use our links, we really appreciate it!