A French twist to South Indian filter coffee

Is the French Press becoming the new way to brew filter coffee? Many coffee enthusiasts are using the equipment to make a strong cuppa due to its wider availability and affordability. A quick online search throws up numerous results on how to make traditional filter coffee. We ask a few experts about how coffee brewed in the device differs from the traditional decoction.  

Different brews

Describing how the South Indian coffee filter differs from the French Press, Teja Chekuri, founder of Fullstack Ventures (Ironhill Cafe), says: “South Indian coffee requires a traditional metal filter with two chambers. Hot water is poured over coffee powder, allowing the liquid to drip slowly into the bottom chamber. It’s a process which requires patience, with the focus on gently coaxing flavours out over time. French Press brewing is hands-on and interactive. Coffee grounds are steeped directly in water for about four minutes before being pressed down. This method allows for precise control over steep time, grind size and water temperature, ideal for the enthusiast aiming for robust depth and character.”

Ease of use

Rohith Rao Chennamaneni, founder of True Black Speciality Coffee, says: “The French Press is a filtration system built into a device. People are moving towards it because more information is available regarding the equipment. The French Press is also easy to use. It gives you less bitter coffee. For South Indian filter coffee, the coffee powder is blended with chicory. Also, South Indian filter coffee is generally served with milk. French Press coffee is served black the world over.”

Grounds matter

Kalpana Behera, manager and head barista at Aaromale, says: “There is definitely a rise in people using the French Press for filter coffee because it makes a full-bodied brew through immersion rather than filtration. It is appealing because it’s affordable and easy to use.”

She explains the difference in the coffee grounds used in the two processes: “South Indian filter coffee powder is finely ground and often mixed with chicory. The French Press is designed for coarser grounds, so the fine filter coffee powder may pass through the metal filter, creating a muddier coffee. The powder and chicory blend will likely result in a stronger, bolder cup in the traditional filter coffee system compared to the French Press, giving it a unique flavour.”

Sharing tips on how to brew coffee in a French press, she says: “To avoid over extraction and bitterness, steep for about 2-3 minutes instead of the usual four minutes. It will be a trial-and-error process before you get the taste and texture right.”

Is the French Press becoming the new way to brew filter coffee? Many coffee enthusiasts are using the equipment to make a strong cuppa due to its wider availability and affordability. A quick online search throws up numerous results on how to make traditional filter coffee. We ask a few experts about how coffee brewed in the device differs from the traditional decoction.  

Different brews

Describing how the South Indian coffee filter differs from the French Press, Teja Chekuri, founder of Fullstack Ventures (Ironhill Cafe), says: “South Indian coffee requires a traditional metal filter with two chambers. Hot water is poured over coffee powder, allowing the liquid to drip slowly into the bottom chamber. It’s a process which requires patience, with the focus on gently coaxing flavours out over time. French Press brewing is hands-on and interactive. Coffee grounds are steeped directly in water for about four minutes before being pressed down. This method allows for precise control over steep time, grind size and water temperature, ideal for the enthusiast aiming for robust depth and character.”

Ease of use

Rohith Rao Chennamaneni, founder of True Black Speciality Coffee, says: “The French Press is a filtration system built into a device. People are moving towards it because more information is available regarding the equipment. The French Press is also easy to use. It gives you less bitter coffee. For South Indian filter coffee, the coffee powder is blended with chicory. Also, South Indian filter coffee is generally served with milk. French Press coffee is served black the world over.”

Grounds matter

Kalpana Behera, manager and head barista at Aaromale, says: “There is definitely a rise in people using the French Press for filter coffee because it makes a full-bodied brew through immersion rather than filtration. It is appealing because it’s affordable and easy to use.”

She explains the difference in the coffee grounds used in the two processes: “South Indian filter coffee powder is finely ground and often mixed with chicory. The French Press is designed for coarser grounds, so the fine filter coffee powder may pass through the metal filter, creating a muddier coffee. The powder and chicory blend will likely result in a stronger, bolder cup in the traditional filter coffee system compared to the French Press, giving it a unique flavour.”

Sharing tips on how to brew coffee in a French press, she says: “To avoid over extraction and bitterness, steep for about 2-3 minutes instead of the usual four minutes. It will be a trial-and-error process before you get the taste and texture right.”