French Press and Loose Leaf Tea

Generally speaking, you don't want to press on the tea. Personally, I'd suggest using something else unless you're really tied into using the french press because you already have one (or because you like the style).

In that case, my suggestion is (if possible, and if there's another strainer) take the press part out entirely. If not possible, just leave the press part almost all the way up the whole time.

Generally speaking, you don't want to press on the tea. Personally, I'd suggest using something else unless you're really tied into using the french press because you already have one (or because you like the style).

In that case, my suggestion is (if possible, and if there's another strainer) take the press part out entirely. If not possible, just leave the press part almost all the way up the whole time.

To make a long story short, just raise the plunger to the desired depth in the pot near the top, saw, then instead of fiddling around to find the right plunger cap just use a rubber band to keep from falling back into pot.

Jim

I use a Bodum 16oz. travel french press almost daily for my morning commute for tea. They generally don't fully stop the brewing perfectly so to combat it I use less leaf than normal, but other than that, no issues. I have never used them for coffee though and they are polycarbonate but if glass a good vinegar soak or two should be enought to make them serviceable.

- Dominic

A local restaurant makes and serves tea in a French press. It seems like kind of a silly idea; the tea is good, but the press does not sequester the leaves well enough that you can leave the water in the press after steeping is finished.

--scott

In China, whenever I went to the coffee shop, the always served Earl Grey tea in a french press. Kind of nice. The tea was very good too.

I've been using a french press for a couple of days now simply because was curious as to whether it would do the job and give me a good cup o tea.

In some ways it can deliver a decent - not good, not great - cup o tea, but you might need to fiddle around with the amounts of tea you'r using if the tea is going to be kept there after pressing. In othe words you'll need to use less tea leaves. On the other hand, if you'r going to decant it to another container after pressing, the norma amount of tea leaves you use should be fine. Of course, this means tha you have two things to wash instead of the more convenient on container, but even that's worth it for a good cup of tea - right? :-

I dont clean my cropped french press which gets used everyday to make tea for my wife. The gill gets coated with tannins but doesnt add to the taste UNLESS you try to clean it. Which is typical of any pot. I always swish with hot water after tossing the leaves. If leaves remain in pot for another infusion makes sure they are drained.

Jim