Tried pour-over vs french press at a local spot and one was way clearer

Last Tuesday I was at Brew & Bean in Austin and asked them to make me the same single-origin Ethiopian using both methods. The pour-over came through with bright fruit notes and a clean finish, no grit at all. The french press was good but had that thick, muddy texture and I couldn't taste the berry flavors as well. It was like comparing a sharp photo to a blurry one honestly. I think the paper filter in the pour-over trapped the oils and fine grounds that muted everything in the press. Anyone else notice a big difference in flavor clarity when you switch up the brew method?

2 comments

2 Comments

craig.mila1mo ago

Oh man, you're so right about that paper filter thing! My buddy Jake tried the exact same experiment at home last weekend. He picked up a bag of Kenyan coffee and split it between his aeropress and a french press. He texted me all excited saying the aeropress version tasted like blueberry jam with this crazy floral thing going on but the french press just came out tasting like... coffee. Like good coffee but nothing special. He said it was almost frustrating how much the paper filter stripped away the heavy oils and let those delicate flavors actually come through. The french press had this almost chalky texture at the bottom too from the fines. I think he's officially converted to pour-over now.

dixon.iris1mo ago

Did you feel like the pour-over brought out flavors the french press just flat out missed? I completely agree, that paper filter really changes the whole experience.

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