Contents
Difference between moka pot and french press…
When choosing a coffee maker, you have two options: the Moka Pot vs French Press. Both work well and make delicious coffee, but there are some differences between how they brew your morning cup.
The Moka pot is a stovetop espresso machine with an upper chamber with water and ground coffee beans at the bottom. As the water boils in the lower chamber, it creates steam which rises to pressurize and pushes through a filter top into the top chamber, where it then drips into your mug below.

Moka Pot vs French Press
The French Press is also called press pot or plunger pot because of its shape, which resembles a pitcher with handles on either side. Like the Moka pot, this device uses heat applied from boiling water to extract flavor!
Before knowing anything about the differences between Moka Pot vs French Press. Firstly, see what are these coffee maker!
1. What is a Moka pot?

Moka Pot
The Moka pot – a two-chambered coffee brewer, water heats up in the bottom chamber. Then, it travels upward through a bed of ground coffee before spilling into an upper compartment as various levels of solid brews. It’s somewhere between drip or Espresso coffee since it produces thick concoctions that are slightly pressurized during brewing.
The Italian Moka pot was invented in the 1930s to make coffee quickly and efficiently. The invention of the humble Moka allowed for hassle-free brew using a gas or electric stove.
Bialetti is still considered an industry standard when looking for the best quality Moka pots, even if it’s something that their competitors are trying hard to catch up on.
The Moka pot’s intuitive design makes it seem like a natural piece of kitchen equipment. We’re all used to the way these pots look, and that association with coffee is an aesthetic point in its favor. This ease of use also means you’ll be enjoying your fresh cup within minutes! With so many perks, how could you resist?
If you’re looking to add some excitement into your life, Moka pots can be a fun way of doing so. While they may not produce the same coffee as an espresso machine, it’s something great for anyone new to drinking strong dark-roast coffees and might feel intimidated by more severe machines.
Moka pots are relatively low-tech and accessible, making them more straightforward than other types of brewing methods requiring extensive knowledge or equipment, such as high-end espresso makers. However, if you’re at all interested in getting started with fresh bolder tasting coffee, then this would be one method worth exploring!
>> Instruction / How Does Moka pot Work
The Moka pot is easy to use. It consists of two chambers: the upper chamber that holds coffee grounds and water, separated by a mesh filter; then there’s the lower chamber where you place your brewed drink when it’s done brewing.
First, pour in about half an inch (1cm) of cold water into each compartment, so they’re both filled up almost equally with liquid before screwing on their lids tightly.
Next, heat them over medium-high heat until steam starts coming out from under its lid, indicating it has reached a boiling temperature. At this point, all impurities are filtered through, allowing only pure coffee-flavored deliciousness to come down below. For consumption!
To make the perfect cup of coffee, you should grind your beans to a medium-fine texture and fill them all the way up in their filter basket.
Don’t pack or level. Instead, gently place it on its resting spot atop the water chamber; screw-down tightly without over-tightening as this can damage valves inside. Next, place the whole device with heat set at medium and lift lid periodically for drip check until the thick dark liquid begins seeping into the top reservoir (chimney).
When the chimney begins to sputter and spit, it means you’re running out of water. Remove from heat, then enjoy!
2. What is French Press?

French Press
The French Press, or cafetière as it’s called in France, is one of the most popular methods for brewing coffee. This method is thought to have originated sometime around 1852 after a Frenchman accidentally mixed water with ground coffee and found that he had created a new way to make his morning cup of joe! The story goes something like this: once, an unnamed man set out on a fishing trip but then got caught up in some business along the banks of Seine River, where he started mixing hot water into grounds instead. Thus, somehow ending up with tasty café au lait at breakfast time.
Whether they are French or Italian, the first official patent for a coffee press came in 1928. Coffee historians debate whether earlier presses “count” because there’s evidence that both countries were using them before then. In any case, French presses are easy to use: measure out your beans and grind coarsely; add hot water and let steep; finally—Press! Pour out your delicious brew.
>> Instruction / How does French Press Work
French press coffee is a simple way to brew strong, bold flavored coffee. The brewer uses coarsely ground beans and hot water in the lower chamber of a glass French press pot with an attached lid containing a fine wire mesh filter or plunger at its tip that rests on top of the grounds when ready for brewing.
After 4-5 minutes have passed, you push down this mesh plunger into your drink which extracts all those flavorful oils from your grinds while separating them from any grit remaining behind in suspension; giving it full flavor without sedimentation; clouding up its appearance, making it smooth drinking!
3. Difference between Moka pot and french press
With a Moka pot, you can create an intense flavor for your coffee with the heat. When it comes to taste and intensity of flavor versus French Press, this is where I have to give my vote as a fan of stronger-than-average coffees! There’s nothing like waking up in the morning sipping on some solid black gold that will make your eyes pop out from all those delicious caffeine molecules coursing through them. Let’s see what the differences are between Moka pot vs French Press.
Moka | French | |
Origin | Italy, 1933 | Italy, 1929 |
Grind Size | Fine | Coarse |
Brewing Method | Pressure | Steeping |
How to Make Coffee | Pour water into the boller, add coffee grinds to filter, and put on the heat source to brew | Pour beans in the beaker, add hot water, steep for 4 minutes, and plunge |
Brew Time | 5-10 minutes | 5 minutes |
Brew Size | 1-18 (2-oz cups) | 2-10 (8-oz cups) |
Resulting Brew | Strong and sharp | Full-bodied and full flavor |
Average Price Range | $30-$100 | $10-$70 |
a. Brewing Time
For a Moka pot, the most significant time investment is going to be heating water. If you want something quick and straightforward for your morning commute, this might not work out well since it takes about 10 minutes to heat water. However, if coffee making isn’t exactly part of your weekend routine yet, then spending some extra time in preparation may be worth it!
For a French press, you can’t prepare anything ahead of time. Each batch of coffee needs to be ground as freshly as possible, and the steeping and plunging process will take about five minutes at the top.” It’s “possible” to get a good routine established with practice, but it takes around 10-15 minutes from start to finish.
Once the water reaches boiling, extraction doesn’t take very long; however, you won’t want to leave it unattended because there is a high likelihood of getting not so great tasting coffee prepared your basket grounds ahead don’t need only ten from minute once
b. Grind
If you grind the beans too fine, your Moka Pot will resemble Espresso more than drip coffee. The sediment, in this case, would be so thick it could almost feel powdery when drinking.
The input is engaging and interesting, but I wanted to change some of the wording for clarity and add my examples. It’s vital that our writing makes sense!
When you finely grind the coffee, it makes the extraction process easier for water and heat, contributing to flavor from acids, sugars, umami’s (taste), and bitter compounds. This is why Moka Pot “espresso” tastes intense!
The French Press is similar to the Moka Pot in that it has its grind size category. However, like the Moka Pot, you also have control over your preferred brew style depending on what roast level and type of beans you use.
If bitter coffee sounds good (I hope not!), then dark roasts will give a more bitter taste with coarsely ground beans extracted within 5 minutes for best results. If nutty flavors are better suited to your preference buds, instead try medium roasted beans using coarser grounds before extracting after 5-6 minutes.
If you’re looking for a more fruit-forward coffee, the French Press might be an option. For 5–7 minutes or coarser drip to a more acceptable french press grind size, this method has enhanced some beans’ flavors in my experience!
I enjoy tinkering with how I can brew when ground finely and coming from heavy espresso training—these changes are fun for me! Also, someone who enjoys creating multiple recipes using one base is similar to that of an espresso which opens up even more possibilities.
c. Brewing ease
The Moka pot requires some technique, but it can produce fantastic results with the right grind size and tamping techniques. The major complaint about this device is under-extraction due to either being too fine of a grind or applying too much pressure while tamping. When these problems arise, typically, they are resolved by adjusting one’s grinding method or their tamp force, both of which should be light to limit water flow through the coffee grounds.
The French press method is more foolproof than the Moka Pot because there are fewer variables to consider. However, the steps must be followed to yield a robust and delicious brew. However, both methods produce great coffee that should not go unnoticed!
d. Final result-quality of coffee and taste
The coffee you get from Moka Pots is syrupy and thick. In addition, the extraction rate is pretty high, so it’s a challenge to achieve balance with this method. However, as long as you have good quality ingredients and a nice workflow, we can increase what we get from the espresso machine!
If you’re using a Moka Pot to make coffee for your recipe, be aware that it tends to use up more sugar (to offset bitterness), and as such, has an array of ingredients with more robust flavors.
The French Press is a thicker coffee method that delivers flavors. It’s highly recommended when you understand how it works. Still, if you prefer lighter coffee, one neat barista trick we have with this brew method is to run the finished product through paper filters to capture any sediment and oils for a cleaner taste in your cup.
There are times when I prefer to drink coffee made with stovetop espresso because of the rich flavor that it produces. Sometimes, however, my mood changes, and instead, I want something more bitter. As a result, there is no clear winner between the French Press vs. Moka Pot in terms of taste, as each method can produce excellent results if done correctly.
e. Built materials
You may come across many different types of French presses for coffee. These include glass and plastic ones and some stainless steel options; however, Moka pots are only available in metal such as aluminum or stainless steel.
f. Size of brew
Heavy coffee drinkers should consider the French Press, which makes much better than its Moka pot. The most miniature model will make at least one 8-ounce cup while the larger can produce up to dozen cups of coffee with less effort, too: Add water and extra grounds! Even though smaller in size compared to the other two options, they still offer many different sizes, from 1-2 ounces per serving all the way up to 18 servings.
g. Ease of portability
For the coffee enthusiast looking for a portable and durable camping-friendly coffee maker, Moka pots are an excellent choice.
Mokas can be easily placed over campfires to make delicious hot beverages, with minor cleanup required afterward. Additionally, they come in compact designs, making them easy to carry on trips, making them perfect for outdoor excursions where you need your morning cup of joe regardless of whether you’re sitting around a beach bonfire or at a high altitude atop. One of North America’s many impressive mountains!
h. Ease of use and Cleanup
Using a Moka pot or French Press are both easy methods to use for making coffee.
However, with the Moka pot, you should ensure that your grind is fine enough, so it does not over-extract but coarse enough, so it doesn’t under-extract. On the other hand, with a French press, you need to have coarsely ground beans, which will prevent any bitterness in taste due to its more aggressive extraction process compared with drip brewing and espresso machines. But given how skilled some can be at using either of these two options, they still aren’t rocket science after all!
When it comes to the ease of cleanup, a Moka pot will give you an easier time than French press coffee makers. The cleanup process only requires throwing out used grounds and rinsing with cold water for either method.
Moka pots have many benefits that can make them seem like they’re better than other options. They require less effort when making your morning cup of joe over traditional methods because all you need is hot water to brew delicious tasting espresso from this machine! However, there are cons, including being careful not to burn yourself on the metal container if filling with boiling liquid or spilling any while pouring, in which case be sure to use a towel around the handle area since it’s also heated up during the brewing process.
i. Price
Moka pot is an cost effective choice as it is geared toward home use, especially, for the small version. However, French Press is a bit of a “boutique” choice that applies to coffee addicts rather than casual morning drinkers needing caffeine jolt.
Moka pot coffee offers a sharp taste that fits working families looking for an afternoon pick-me-up. The French Press has carefully measured flavor, allowing you to take an artistic approach with your morning brew.
Coffee is lovely, but the tools you use to prepare it are just as essential. The difference between Moka pot and French Press is that they come from different worlds, which reflect their social background – for example, one of them focuses on sharing coffee with friends. At the same time, another prepares a more professional cup. However, both methods will provide an excellent tasting brew so enjoy!
4. How the coffee is made
These two coffee makers will make quite strong, traditional Italian-style coffees in different styles.
1. Moka pot
The process of making coffee using a Moka pot is quick and easy. Just follow these steps:
1) Pour cold water into the bottom chamber to fill it up about one-third full (about 1 cup). Place your filter in place, then measure out three tablespoons of ground beans that you want for the flavor strength desired. It’s best not to use more than 4 Tbsp., otherwise some grounds may escape through where the steam comes from between top and middle chambers when brewing begins;
2) Fill Moka pot with hot tap water – do NOT manually tighten the lower part yet! It would help if you never attempted manual tightening as this could lead to breaking or cracking glass parts which will need replacement.; 3) Heat on stove over medium heat until it boils gently.
2. French Press
French Press is a popular coffee-making method that allows drinkers to soak coarsely ground beans in hot water for several minutes before plunging the mixture. The process of French Press follows some easy steps and can be completed within no time:
Have you ever wondered how to make your coffee at home? Making a French press or plunger pot is an easy way to enjoy high-quality brewed coffee. Here are the steps on how to do it:
Step 1)
Boil water until it reaches 205 degrees Fahrenheit (around 90 Celsius). You should use filtered water for this step because chemicals in an unfiltered tap can affect the final product’s taste.
Step 2)
Grind beans into coarse grind size if they aren’t already pre ground. The ground needs to be big enough that when stirred with a spoon, none flows through holes between grounds and sits on the top surface as sediment does after pouring out Espresso from a machine similar to how traditional drip filter machines work by forcing hot liquid under pressure up through the bed.
5. Which is better French press or Moka pot?
For those that are more into espresso-like or darker coffee, the Moka pot is an excellent choice. However, for those who prefer bolder flavors and a more potent brew, French presses make for solid flavor profiles that can’t be beaten by any other method.
With all said, you won’t know which of the two will work best for your needs until you’ve given them both a try. However, these headphones are not expensive; better yet, they can be helpful in different situations.
6. Where to buy
The Moka Pot and the French Press are two of the most popular methods for making coffee. You can buy a Moka Pot or a French Press at your local store. Besides, the online site also offers these coffee makers at a reasonable price as Amazon, Bestbuy…
FAQs about Moka Pot vs French Press
Q1. Is Moka Pot or French Press more similar to Espresso?
Yes, the French Press creates a creamy, lighter, and watery aromatic mixture. In contrast, the Moka pot creates a stronger coffee cup and is concentrated hence it is the same as Espresso.
Q2.Is there more caffeine in a French Press?
The intensity of Espresso provides more caffeine per ounce than other coffee drinks. French Press is the exception, containing much higher levels at 108 mg in 8 ounces.
Q3.Why does my French Press coffee taste watery?
To make a great cup of coffee, you need to use the right grind. Too fine, and your drink will be thick and muddy; too coarse and it’ll just taste like watered down mud.
Conclusion
The Moka Pot vs French Press battle is coming to an end!
If you are unsure which one to choose, I recommend getting the French Press. While they may be similar in appearance, many differences between them make each of their methods unique. The most popular type is a coffee press because it uses low pressure when brewing into your mug or carafe, whereas espresso machines use high-pressure water for extractions.
Although both brewing methods make delicious coffee, French Press is if you want to get the most flavor out of your beans and don’t mind spending a little extra money on something that will last for years (and can be used in other ways) the way to go.
Also, the Moka pot’s filter does not allow oils from the bean into your cup, which means it has less caffeine than its French counterpart. If you’re looking for an affordable alternative with all of these qualities, we recommend making cold brew coffee at home!
See more: