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  Read Korean posts →   In the last post, we compared the French press, the Moka pot, and the AeroPress. Starting with this post, we're getting into how to actually brew with each one — beginning with the French press. It's a great place to start because, unlike pour over, there's no pour technique to worry about. Just add coffee and water, time it, and press. This post covers the French press's characteristics and trade-offs, the core variables that shape your extraction, how to adjust for taste, and a set of practical recipes for both hot and iced coffee.     What Kind of Brewer Is the French Press? Let's revisit its characteristics and trade-offs first. Characteristics Full immersion brewing: Rather than pouring water through the grounds like pour over, the French press fully submerges the grounds in hot water to steep out the flavor. Metal mesh filter: Instead of paper, it uses a metal mesh to strain the coffee. Consistent results: As l...

  Read Korean posts →   In the last post, we compared espresso machines and pour over to figure out which one makes more sense for someone just starting a home coffee setup . But are those really the only two options for beginners? Not even close. There's also the French press, the Moka pot, and the AeroPress. Let's look at what makes each one unique, and which one we'd actually recommend to a beginner.     French Press History The French press has nearly a century of history behind it. It was invented in Italy in 1929 under the name "coffee press, " then first sold in France under the name Melior. In the 1950s, Bodum acquired the design and spread it across Europe. Its original names were "coffee plunger" or "plunger pot, " but Bodum's version has become so iconic that "French press" is now just the generic term for the whole category.   Structure and Characteristics A French press has two main parts: the be...

  Read Korean posts →   Once you've decided to build a home coffee setup, the next question is what gear to buy — which really means deciding how you're going to brew. For most people, an espresso machine is the first thing that comes to mind. But personally, I'd recommend starting with pour over(hand drip) instead. Here's why.   Why People Look Beyond Capsule Machines Walk into a Nespresso counter at any department store and you'll usually see a line of people waiting to buy capsules. That's because a capsule machine is often the first thing people consider when they think, "I want good coffee at home." They're simple to use, easy to clean, and that's exactly why so many people choose them. Not everyone feels this way, but once you get used to a capsule machine, certain gaps start to show. The biggest one, surprisingly, is flavor. Ground coffee sealed in capsules has to sit on a shelf for a while before it's used, so you i...

  Read Korean posts →   When you decide to start a home café, one question almost always comes first: "Should I go with hand drip, or buy an espresso machine?" The honest answer? There's no single right choice. It depends on what kind of coffee you like, how much you want to spend, and how much complexity you're willing to take on. Here's a straight-up comparison of both.     What Is Hand Drip (Pour-Over)? Hand drip — also called pour-over — is exactly what it sounds like. You place a paper filter in a dripper, add ground coffee, and slowly pour hot water over it by hand. No machine required. If you've ever watched a barista carefully pour water from a gooseneck kettle at a specialty coffee shop, that's pour-over.     What Is an Espresso Machine? An espresso machine forces hot water through finely ground coffee at high pressure (usually around 9 bars). The result is a small, concentrated shot of coffee — the base for lattes, cappuc...

  Read Korean posts →   If you love coffee, chances are you've had this thought at least once: "Can I actually make great coffee at home?"   The answer is yes — and for less money than you might think. The biggest mistake beginners make is buying too much too soon. This guide breaks down what you truly need from day one versus what can wait.     Where Do You Even Start? There are two main approaches to home brewing: Pour-over (Hand Drip) — You pour hot water over ground coffee in a filter. Simple, affordable, and the best way to explore the full flavor of your beans. Great for beginners who want to understand coffee.   Espresso Machine — Uses high pressure to extract a concentrated shot. Perfect if you want lattes and cappuccinos at home. That said, even entry-level machines start around $150–200, and they require regular maintenance. If you're just starting out, go pour-over. Lower cost, lower risk, and a lot of room to experimen...