French press

coffee pot

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 22, 2026

Quick Summary

A French press is a type of coffeepot that uses a plunger with a mesh filter. Ground coffee beans are steeped in hot water within the pot. After the coffee has brewed, the plunger is pressed down, separating the grounds from the liquid and leaving the brewed coffee ready to pour. This method is favored by many for its ability to produce a rich flavor, often considered second only to espresso. The first known use of the term "French press" was in 1976.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

coffee
Brewing and drinking
A French press, however, uses infusion to make the coffee. After the coffee has steeped in the hot water, a mesh-lined plunger is used to push the grounds to the bottom, leaving the coffee above ready to pour directly from the container. Many traditionalists consider French-press…
Read More
A French press, however, uses infusion to make the coffee. After the coffee has steeped in the hot water, a mesh-lined plunger is used to push the grounds to the bottom, leaving the coffee above ready to pour directly from the container. Many traditionalists consider French-press…
Read More