French Press: The Original Eco Coffee Maker? (Plus 7 Stylish Glass Versions to Buy)

Here at The Organized Home, we’re always looking for ways to minimize—whether that’s reducing the clutter in our homes or decreasing the amount of trash we send to the landfill or scaling back the amount of stuff we buy. The French press is a product that helps us achieve these goals in every way.

First, a bit of history. It may be called the French press, but its origins are not altogether Gallic. While it’s true that the idea for a piston-aided coffee maker was first patented by two Frenchmen in 1852, the French press (also called a press pot, coffee press, coffee plunger, and cafetière) didn’t become well-known until the late 1920s, when an Italian firm patented its own version.

What is not up for debate is its all-around functionality. It’s highly portable and packable; it doesn’t require filters; and it makes a good, rich cup of java. (Just be sure to grind the coffee beans coarser than you would for drip brews.) But that’s not even why I’m drawn to the French press. I personally like it because it turns a morning ritual into a science experiment. There’s something ridiculously satisfying about slowly pushing the plunger down and watching it displace the coffee.

Which is why I prefer glass French presses—all the better for observing the black magic in action. Here are seven glass versions that are stylish enough to go from the kitchen counter to the dining table.

7 Glass French Presses to Buy

For more eco-friendly solutions, check out:

• Cuban Mop: The Eco-Friendly Swiffer
• Use This, Not that Plastic Thing: Expert Advice on 5 Easy, Eco Swaps for the Kitchen
• Moving Day, the Sustainable Way: 10 Ways to Lessen Waste When Packing and Moving