French press for tea
French press is a glass container with a handle for brewing tea, made in the form of a cylinder. The container comes with a domed metal lid, which ends with a press in the form of a sieve or a metal plunger (piston).
Features and Benefits
For many centuries, brewing tea has been not a purely functional process, but a ritual that allows you to express your aesthetic taste, as well as to establish communication with people. From this point of view, the external features of the French press come to the fore.
French presses gained popularity in Europe after World War II, although the French press was invented in 1929 by designer Attilio Calimani. An unusual functional feature of the kettle is the use of a plunger.
A plunger is a piston that is located inside a cylinder.
This device is designed to separate the tea from the tea leaves, which is the main know-how of the French press. The plunger has advantages over the sieve of the teapot, because the tea leaves in the space of the flask open up better, giving off flavor and aroma.
The choice of tea connoisseurs falls on the French press for various reasons that they may not even realize. Functionality, convenience, aesthetics and even psychology play a role here.
- From the point of view of convenience, a French press is better than a kettle in that the liquid does not pour out from under the lid, even at a strong angle of inclination.
- The tea leaves are firmly pressed to the bottom with a press and do not clog into the spout of the teapot.
- The nose of the French press is small and cannot get clogged.
- Tea is brewed faster, and hot water turns the color of tea before our eyes, if you move the press from the bottom up, which gives a special meditative state from brewing tea.
- However, the most important psychological feature of choosing a French press is the desire to see the drink, which makes the taste of tea richer. In addition, psychologists note that being able to see the contents of a French press creates a sense of security.
- The container is usually made of thicker glass than a regular glass teapot, this reduces the likelihood of it breaking and prevents scratches during washing.
- If you make tea with milk and sugar (masala), then you can add milk to the container itself and mix using a press.
- After use, the tea leaves can be easily thrown away with one movement, unlike a teapot, in which the leaves stick to the bottom, and the hand does not always penetrate the hole under the lid.
- The French press can be easily cleaned with a brush.
Dimensions (edit)
Perhaps the biggest benefit for the owners of a French model kettle lies in its volume, which can reach one liter. Such a volume of tea without losing its temperature properties and taste can be brewed only in this teapot model. Standard volumes:
- 350 ml;
- 600 ml;
- 800 ml;
- 1 l.
Rating of the best models
For most consumers, the functional properties of teapots are important. The options presented below are typical French models, their main features are the combination of modern materials and simple design.
However, some manufacturers are trying to decorate the austere teapot flasks with exquisite cup holders to achieve an external effect without losing quality.
Taller TR-2300
This model is distinguished by the classic design of a French-press type teapot. Its volume (600 ml) is suitable for brewing tea for 2 persons. The main advantage of this kettle is its robustness, which promises durability as it is made of thick glass, steel and plastic.
Bonuses can be called dense adhesion of the piston to the inner walls of the container and the heat resistance of the glass. Such a kettle will last a long time and will not break if dropped. Price - from 600 to 900 rubles.
Bollire BR-3204
To brew tea for a large company, you will need the most capacious version of the kettle, the volume of which is 1 liter. The flask is made of heat-resistant glass, the filter is made of stainless steel, the rubber handle does not heat up in the hands and makes it easy to lift even a full kettle.
Perhaps, This is the best model for brewing tea for 3-4 persons. Fascinating range of colors and complete absence of tea leaves in the cups are a pleasant bonus from using this model. Price - 900-1200 rubles.
Mayer & boch
The product is characterized by a minimalistic design, low price and small volume. The advantage of the model is its silicone support, which protects the table surface from overheating. The handle of the model can be made of glass, rubber or steel. Price - 269 rubles.
Planetary Design TP0720
Perhaps one of the most expensive models, while its functionality knows no limits. For those who like to drink hot tea between times, a French-press thermos is suitable. You can brew tea in it and use it during the day, for example, at work.
You can take such a thermos with you on a hike, for example, when you need to kindle a fire to heat the water. A convenient kettle will last for many years and will not break, because its surface is made of stainless steel. Moreover, the kettle is not heavier than its glass counterparts. Price - 4699 rubles.
Rainstahl
An exquisite model of a liter teapot is the optimal combination of low price and design ideas. Decorated with gold-colored rings around the perimeter and complemented by a gold-colored lid, the teapot stands out from the classic models, while having all the advantages of a functional teapot. Price - 1619 rubles.
Vitesse brianna
The beauty of this teapot lies in the brevity of its forms. The large rubber handle makes it easy to tilt the kettle and get a powerful enough stream that pours out of the comfortable spout.
The teapot is created using Bakelite. Price - 1344 rubles.
Taller TR-2314 600 ml
Not the cheapest stylized teapot will suit Moroccan and Turkish kitchen styles. It stands out more for its aesthetics than for its practical properties. Its gold-tone cup holder is crafted from copper-plated stainless steel. The ornate shape is the main highlight of the kettle and determines its rather high price in comparison with similar models.
A thin handle may not be so comfortable, fear is caused by overheating of the copper surface of the cup holder. This model can be chosen for a wooden table, it will perfectly fit into a stylized tea party. Price - 1693 rubles.
French-press Dobrynya "Berries"
Some manufacturers strive to complement the laconic shape of the teapot with a variety of patterns. Those who want to admire the combination of the color of tea with the pattern of the lid and the cup holder can choose a simple model for tea drinking in Russian style Dobrynya "Yagody". The lid of the teapot fits snugly against the flask, but the bottom is not equipped with a stand and can overheat the surface of the table. Price - 417 rubles.
Kukina Raffinata "Circles"
This model, which combines an interesting aesthetic solution and functionality, is suitable for tea drinking in an oriental style. The volume of the teapot (600 ml) is intended, rather, for two friends or a narrow family circle. Its main advantages are creative cup holder and lid in bronze-plated steel. Price - 750 rubles.
Kukina Raffinata "Geometry"
One of the most budgetary options. A lightweight and aesthetically pleasing kettle with a press will allow you to brew a magical drink for one person. The sophisticated handle may not be as comfortable to use, but the curvature of the handle enhances the model's aesthetics. The lid of the kettle adheres firmly to the flask, which ensures long-term temperature retention. Price - 350 rubles.
Brewing technology
The main secret of getting a good drink is purchasing quality tea. To make the tea tasty and aromatic, it is important to choose the right dosage. The best option for traditional black tea is 2 teaspoons per 200 ml of boiling water. This dosage is suitable for packaged black tea. If the tea was purchased at a tea shop, then it is better to use 1 teaspoon per 200 ml for making a drink.
There are three steps to brewing tea:
- pour the tea leaves into a glass container;
- fill with water, but not with boiling water, but boiling;
- cover with a lid and after a minute lower the piston.
Experts do not recommend adding sugar to freshly brewed tea, this can negate the taste of real tea.
Criterias of choice
The main material for the production of French presses is stainless steel, which can be easily removed from plaque with starch, even if it loses its former luster over the years. Almost all, even cheap teapots, are made using extra strong, high temperature resistant glass, as well as rubber and plastic.
When choosing a suitable model, you need to pay attention to the following points.
- The choice of the kettle can be good or bad, depending on the tightness of the piston to the inner surface of the flask, it is important that it is clearly fixed.
- The lid must sit firmly on the flask so that water does not spill out.
- The bottom of the kettle should not leave marks on the tablecloth and overheat the surface of the oilcloth. For this, steel or plastic coasters for the flask are made on teapots. The presence of such a stand should be definitely checked when choosing.
- You can order a French press in the online store, however, it is better to pay for the purchase upon receipt, because it is important to check how firmly all the parts of the kettle adhere to its flask.
For information on how to brew tea in a French press, see the next video.