Pour over vs French press - Which Coffee to go for? 

Getting the best quality you can get your hands on doesn’t always lead to the perfect cup of coffee. Sure, you can experiment with blends and origins all you want, but how you brew the coffee can make a massive difference.

Many feel that brewing is simply making coffee grounds into liquid coffee, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. There are so many flavor differences derived from different brewing methods that the same coffee grounds can taste quite different depending on how you brew them!

Let’s take the case of pour-over vs french press coffee for instance. They are both super popular and have cult-like followings. So, which one should you go for?

The Brewing Process

Pour-over

The pour-over or drip method is quite possibly the most popular method of brewing coffee out there. From individual coffee lovers to restaurants and diners—it’s used everywhere! And for good reason. Simply add coffee grounds in a filter (that’s on a brewing device), pour water, et voila! Your delicious coffee should be ready once the brew is complete.

For a more in-depth look at pour-over coffees, check out our article on them.

French press

The french press needs no introduction and is one of the first brewing methods a budding coffeeholic would have tried. All you need to do for making the best french press coffee is add coffee grounds, pour hot water, wait for the brew to complete and lower the plunger to separate the coffee grounds from the (now) brewed coffee. Next, simply pour and enjoy! An added bonus is that a french press can be used for cold brews. Beat that, pour-over!

Flavor Profile

Pour-over

This is one of the best brewing methods if you wish to experience the subtleties in the coffee and savor all the notes the coffee has to offer. This will ultimately depend on the type of coffee you are brewing, but pour-over coffees do an exceptional job of not muting the flavor profile and keeping it clean. Some may find the taste to be a touch more acidic than other brews, but this can be overcome by tweaking the coarseness of the grounds.

French press

If we’re talking pour-over vs french press, this one is definitely the bolder of the two options. Every sip tastes more full-bodied and richer than a pour-over. It is also a little less acidic than pour-overs.

But this comes at a cost. Unlike pour-over coffees, you can’t distinctly make out the nuances of the coffee. This might not be a big deal for many coffee drinkers, but there’s certainly a fair chunk of people who love how every note works together so harmoniously to make their perfect cup. Another drawback is that french press coffees can let micro grounds in your brew, making the last few sips a little “chunkier” than pour-overs. This can be a little off-putting, but really isn’t the end of the world. 

What to pick?

The decision between pour-over vs french press ultimately boils down to personal preference, but in general, if you love tasting every note, pour-overs might be the way to go for you. However, if you love a burly, full-bodied coffee, look no further than a french press. 

There are a few other factors, too. For instance, pour-over coffees require a little more material than french press coffees. This is largely thanks to the use of filters. They also can require a bit more technique, but the learning curve to making a good pour-over isn’t that steep, so you won’t find it too daunting.

An easy solution is to just try both. You can visit your nearest cafe or brew at home! Both options are super easy and it will surely be a fun journey to figure out your perfect coffee. Afterall, isn’t that part of the charm?