If you’re using your French press only to make coffee, you’re only utilising half of its potential. In case you didn’t know a French press can do many other things, from infusing flavors to creating frothy milk, cold brew tea, fresh juices, whipped cream, and homemade butter! You can use a French press to infuse oils with herbs and spices for cooking. Just combine your choice of herbs, spices, and oil in the French press, let it steep for a few hours or overnight, and then strain out the solids. The infused oil will add depth and complexity to your dishes.
One of the most essential functionas of the French Press is the plunger. The metal mesh filter attached to the plunger separates solid from the liquid as it is pressed downward. If you’re not sure about using French press to make new recipes, try these ideas
Frothy Milk
While a French press is not traditionally used for frothing milk like a steam wand on an espresso machine, it can still be a handy tool for creating frothy milk for lattes and cappuccinos at home. Simply heat milk in a saucepan or microwave until it reaches your desired temperature, then transfer it to the French press. Plunge the French press up and down vigorously for about 30 seconds to create a frothy foam. The result is creamy, velvety milk foam that's perfect for topping off your favorite espresso drinks.
Cold Brew Tea
While cold brew coffee is a popular choice for many coffee lovers, did you know that you can also use a French press to make cold brew tea? Cold brewing tea results in a smoother, less bitter brew compared to hot brewing methods, making it perfect for iced tea lovers. To make cold brew tea with a French press, simply add your favorite tea leaves to the press, fill it with cold water, and let it steep in the refrigerator for 8-12 hours.
Once steeped, press the plunger down slowly to strain out the tea leaves, leaving you with a refreshing and flavorful cold brew tea concentrate. Dilute the concentrate with water or ice depending on the strength you prefer.
Broth
Did you know you can make veggie or meat-based broths in a French Press? If you want a cleaner profile, stick to veggie-based broths since they are easier to make. Take 1 to 2 cups of chopped vegetables such as onions, carrots, celery, leeks, garlic, mushrooms, etc.
Wash and chop your vegetables into fine angular pieces, which maximises their aroma. This will help release their flavor more effectively during the brewing process. Place the chopped vegetables into the French press. Add herbs, spices, and salt and pour hot water into the French press, covering the ingredients completely. Leave some space at the top to prevent overflow when plunging. Let the aromatics steep for 5 to 7 minutes and pour out the broth!
Fruit and Vegetable Juices
If you don't have a dedicated juicer but still want to enjoy fresh fruit and vegetable juices at home, a French press can come to the rescue. While it may not extract juice as efficiently as a juicer, a French press can still be used to press the liquid out of soft fruits and vegetables, such as berries, citrus fruits, and cucumbers. Simply chop or mash your chosen fruits or vegetables, add them to the French press, and press down firmly on the plunger to extract the juice. You can enjoy the juice as is or mix it with other ingredients to create delicious and nutritious juice blends.
Whipped Cream and Homemade Butter
Believe it or not, a French press can even be used to make whipped cream and homemade butter. For whipped cream, simply add heavy cream to the French press and plunge the plunger up and down vigorously until the cream thickens and forms soft peaks. You can sweeten the whipped cream with sugar or flavor it with vanilla extract to suit your taste preferences. Homemade whipped cream is perfect for topping off desserts like pies, cakes, and fresh fruit, adding a light and airy finish to your favorite treats.
To make homemade butter with a French press, pour heavy cream into the press and plunge the plunger up and down until the cream separates into butter and buttermilk. Strain out the buttermilk and rinse the butter under cold water to remove any remaining buttermilk. You can then shape the butter into a block or mold it into fun shapes using cookie cutters. Homemade butter has a rich, creamy flavor that's perfect for spreading on toast, melting over vegetables, or using in baking recipes.