Brewing Battles: French Press vs Nespresso

In the realm of coffee brewing, two popular contenders for your morning cuppa are the French press and Nespresso machine. Both offer their unique approaches to coffee preparation, but when you take into account quality, taste, environmental impact, and cost-effectiveness, the French press often emerges as the superior choice. In this blog, we'll explore why the French press might be the better option in these key aspects compared to a Nespresso machine.

Look, I did my time with a Nespresso machine, 3 to be exact. I might even argue that I like the coffee beverages that a Nespresso machine is able to create in short time and there's definitely a corner of a landfill that I helped create with the amount of Nespresso pods I used over a 10-year period. So please, as I ask you to break your addiction to coffee pods, know it's coming from one of the worst pod-addicted coffee people out there. There was definitely a time, 2020 to be exact, when I was banging through 10-12 Nespresso pods on my own every single day. It pains me to think about and it's once of the many reasons I knew we had to start a company and do things better. 

But enough about me, let's get to the side-by-side comparison of the French press vs Nespresso. 

Quality of Coffee:

French Press: 

The French press is celebrated for its ability to produce high-quality coffee. With this method, coffee grounds steep in hot water, allowing for maximum flavor extraction. This results in a rich, full-bodied brew that captures the essence of the beans. The lack of paper filters in a French press ensures that no essential oils or flavors are lost, delivering a pure and unfiltered coffee experience.

Nespresso: 

Nespresso machines provide convenience but may compromise on the quality of the coffee. The use of pre-packaged coffee capsules can limit the variety and freshness of coffee available, resulting in a less satisfying coffee experience compared to the rich and nuanced flavors of French press coffee. 

2. Taste:

French Press: 

French press coffee offers an unparalleled taste experience, boasting depth, aroma, and complexity. The ability to control brewing variables like water temperature, coffee-to-water ratio, and steeping time allows you to customize your coffee to perfection. The outcome is a full-bodied, flavorful cup with no loss of aroma or taste.

Nespresso: 

Nespresso coffee, while convenient, may lack the depth and nuances found in freshly brewed coffee. The one-size-fits-all approach to brewing can't quite compete with the customized experience offered by a French press. This isn't to say that Nespresso doesn't taste good either - I think it makes a good latte at home, but a French press can offer the same or better without the other negative repercussions. 

3. Environmental Impact:

French Press: 

The French press is environmentally friendly, producing no waste other than the coffee grounds, which can be composted. There are no single-use pods or disposable filters, making it an eco-conscious choice.

Nespresso: 

Nespresso machines rely on single-use coffee capsules, contributing significantly to landfill waste as well as the environmental costs of production. While efforts have been made to develop a system to recycle some capsules, the environmental impact of these single-serving containers remains a concern. Nespresso  has become a household staple for their quick and hassle-free coffee brewing contributing to the 29,000 pods a minute ending up in landfills worldwide.

Y'all, you can not be an environmentally minded person now or in the future if your coffee-making apparatus generates this much trash. You have to find another way to make coffee - and you will be rewarded by an even tastier beverage.

Cost Over Time:

French Press: 

A French press is a one-time purchase with minimal maintenance costs. Coffee grounds are typically more affordable than pre-packaged coffee capsules, making it a cost-effective choice over time.

Nespresso: 

Nespresso machines can cost anywhere from 2x-10x the price of a quality stainless steel French press, plus the ongoing expense of purchasing coffee capsules adds up over time. The convenience of Nespresso comes at a price, often making it more expensive in the long run compared to a French press. Pods can cost $1.50 or more and I know when I made my drinks I would use two! This means you could be spending 5x the price for a cup of Nespresso and getting an older less rare coffee at the same time. 

While Nespresso machines offer unparalleled convenience, the French press excels in terms of coffee quality, taste, environmental impact, and cost-effectiveness. If you're a true coffee aficionado seeking a superior coffee experience, the French press is the way to go. It not only allows you to savor the full depth and complexity of coffee but also reduces waste and saves you money in the long term.