You’ve all seen the French press, it’s everywhere now.  If you are a coffee connoisseur, I’m sure you have a French press.  It’s supposed to be the best coffee gadget to bring out the delicate coffee flavor.  What I didn’t know is that it can also be used to brew tea.

I got introduced to the idea of using the French press to brew tea when I was over at our friends Jo and Oliver’s home.  We were at their place one afternoon at tea time and Oliver offered to make us coffee or tea.  Hitesh asked for a cappuccino. I asked for black tea with milk.  After giving Hitesh his cappuccino, I saw Oliver take out a French press. I was confused, so I told Oliver again that I wanted tea not coffee.  Oliver said that’s what he was making for me in the French press.  I watched perplexed; Oliver put the tea leaves in the French press, couple of cardamom pods, poured the water over the leaves, closed it with the plunger, and waited a couple of minutes. Then he plunged the French press and poured the tea. That’s it. The tea was delicious!  It turns out there is no difference between brewing coffee and brewing tea in the French press, you follow the same process, it just so happens to be two different drinks.

What I liked about using the French press for making tea is that it’s a no mess solution. You don’t have to use a strainer to strain the tea, or use a teapot; and the cleanup is easy – just wash the French press.  Mind you, I do like my teapots (God knows I have a bunch, and I need to use them to justify my purchases).  However, if you want a one-pot tea maker for loose-leaf tea with no fuss, and a good brew; try making tea in a French press and see how you like it.

French Press Tea:

Directions:

• In a French press place 1 – 2 tsp of loose leaf tea with 2 -3 cups of hot water
• Stir
• Close the plunger and wait 1 minute
• Press the plunger down and pour
• Add milk if you like and drink up
• I find bewing for 1 minute brings out the tea flavor to the fullest without getting bitter. You can always add more water to the same tea leaves for one more helping – it may not be as good as the first batch but delicious nonetheless.

A good cup of tea always hits the spot!

My tea cups, tea and coffee pot collection

If Teacups Could Talk
by Emilie Barnes

“The very act of preparing and serving tea encourages conversation.
The little spaces in time created by teatime rituals call out to be filled with conversation. Even the tea itself–warm and comforting-inspires a feeling of relaxation and trust that fosters shared confidences.”
from Tea Poems and Quotes