Yes, it’s true! A french press can totally be used to brew both coffee and tea.
But if you’re new to the world of brewing or haven’t used a french press, you might be wondering, how do I use this thing?
Not to worry! In this guide, we’ll go over how to make the perfect cup of tea using a french press.
Contents
What You’ll Need
- French Press
- Loose Leaf Tea
- Measuring spoon
- Water
- Kettle
- Mug
- Sugar or Sugar Substitutes (optional)
- Mixing spoon (optional)
Water Temperature and Steep Times
How long you brew your tea and the temperature you use will affect the overall taste of your tea. In general, black teas and some herbal teas can sustain longer steep times and higher water temperatures. While green teas are more sensitive and turn tannic if left to steep for too long and in very hot water.
When in doubt, refer to the instructions at the back of your tea package. You can also refer to the guide below and experiment with steep times yourself.
| Type of Tea | Temperature | Steep Time |
|---|---|---|
| Black Tea | 100 °C / 212 °F | 3-5 minutes |
| Green Tea | 80 °C / 185 °F | 1-3 minutes |
| White Tea | 80 °C / 185 °F | 2-5 minutes |
| Oolong Tea | 80 °C / 185 °F | 2-3 minutes |
| Herbal Tea | 100 °C / 212 °F | 3-6 minutes |
Note: These suggested temperatures and steep times are for “western” styled teas according to the Tea and Herbal Association of Canada. If you have a kettle with temperature control, boiling your water to a desirable temperature will be easier. If not, a thermometer will do.
How to make hot tea using a French press (step-by-step)
STEP 1:
Remove the lid from your French press and add your favourite loose leaf tea.
STEP 2:
Boil water in a kettle or saucepan over the stove and let it come to the appropriate temperature.
STEP 3:
Once your water is ready, carefully add it to your tea leaves in the French press.
STEP 4:
Place the lid on your French press and let your tea steep for about 1-7 minutes (see recommended steep times above).
Do not press the plunger all the way down.
You may experiment with steep times and adjust it to your liking.
STEP 5:
Once your tea has steeped sufficiently, press the plunger all the way down to separate your tea leaves from the brew.
STEP 6:
Pour your tea out into a mug.
Add sugar (or a substitute like honey) according to taste, stir, and enjoy.
Caution not to burn yourself while sipping.
Pros and Cons of Using a French Press to Brew Tea
Pros
1. Versatile. Aside from tea, you can also use a French press to brew coffee and froth milk. So if you ever want to make the switch to coffee or yearn to enjoy both, having a French press is a good idea.
2. Makes sharing easy. French presses come in various sizes and make sharing easy. If you’re planning on making tea for more than one person or enjoying more than a cup in one sitting, consider getting a French press that’s the right size for you and your company. Bodum, the company I like to buy from makes them in 12 oz (0.35 L), 34 oz (1 L), and 51 oz (1.5 L) – which is suitable for 3 cups, 4 cups, and 12 cups, respectively.
Cons
1. Must be consumed fast. One thing that you might notice when using a French press is that your tea leaves will continue to steep after you push the plunger down. So unless you’re planning on drinking the entire pot of tea you just brewed, your tea will taste bitter with time.
2.Tea leaves can get stuck. While cleaning out your French press is relatively easy, some people find that their tea leaves get stuck in the mesh part of their French press. This can make cleaning annoying. However, I’ve never run into this problem and if it did happen, it still wouldn’t dissuade me from using a French press to brew tea.
Other Questions You Might Have
Can you make cold brew in a French press?
Absolutely! If you don’t like hot teas, you can always brew tea in cold water, or make iced tea using a French press.
Can you make milk tea in a French press?
Yes! You can add milk to your French press and even brew tea directly in milk using a French press. But remember to wash your press carefully once you’re done enjoying your beverage so you don’t end up with milk particles stuck to the filter or sides of your press.
Can you make herbal tea in a French press?
Yes! I personally love making fresh ginger tea using a French press. But there are plenty of other herbal teas out there that you can enjoy and make easily.
Final Thoughts
The best tea is one that you enjoy making and drinking. While there are times when using a tea bag, infuser, or gaiwan (in the case of traditional Chinese teas) might make more sense, a French press is a perfectly acceptable tool to to brew tea with – especially if you’re starting out and enjoy both coffee and ‘western’ styled teas.
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