How To French Press Coffee
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French Press Coffee: How to Make It
Updating Sep 9, 2019. Jump to the Recipe. These products are selected by us independently. If you make a purchase through one of our affiliate links, we could earn a commission.
Coffee can be geeked out in many different ways. However, we all want to enjoy a cup of hot and delicious coffee every morning. Simply a pleasure.
French press coffee can be made in a few simple steps. Here's the basics: how to make great French Press coffee.
Watch
Troubleshooting French Press Coffee
Two things can really ruin French-press coffee. Either boiling water at high temperature that causes the coffee to scorch, or hot water with low heat that extracts the coffee. Or tepid coffee that does not extract the coffee fully.
These are two of the easiest factors to correct and are often overlooked. To determine how hot your water boils, you'll need to use a burr grinder.
– Takeaway: Getting the temperature right is easy (just take the water off the boil and let it sit for a minute before brewing).
Getting Geeky Over French Press
However, you can get a lot more technical and geeky than that over French press. Take a look at how Stumptown Intelligia Blue Bottle (Serious Eats) explains grams and brew time. Personally I do not believe that you need to debate whether 40 grams or 36 grams are sufficient. Or whether to weigh the beans and water instead of measuring their volume.
There are a few things I suspect you'll disagree about. But if you love coffee there is a lot to do. The joy in coffee is that you can adjust it as much as you like, which gives it a great deal of satisfaction.
French press is a great way to start if you don't want to be too complicated. It doesn't matter if you prefer to weigh your coffee and measure by volume. You don't have to be precise about the time it takes to make each roast. I am right there with you.
For now let's focus on the basics. Because in the end, it's just a cup of coffee, and I do hope that more of you will find your morning sustenance in a cup of French press, as it is really so delicious when done (mostly) right.
Do You Need Something Customized?
Our Custom Shop: How to Use French Presses
French Press coffee is a simple brewing method that produces a rich and full body. The full immersion method means that the whole amount of coffee will be in constant contact for the duration of the brewing process. A french press, like the Chemex can be used to produce larger amounts of coffee. However, you will notice a completely different body and mouthfeel.
The 6-cup Yama Glass French Press was used in the tutorial. You can use it to make up to 30 ounces of water. Start with a 1:6 ratio. We may need adjust the recipe to suit the French Press. The 1:16 is the best ratio. You may also like the 1:15 and 1:17 versions, which can be great depending on what your coffee grinds are.
French Press Coffee: How to Make It
Fuller Bodied Coffee The French press is easy to use. You do not need time for water through the coffee beds. After you determine how much water you need, the ratio of liquid and grounds you want, and what time you should brew your coffee for, French press coffee is possible.
You don't need a paper filter to keep them out (just an stainless steel fine-mesh screening), but tiny dissolved bits and essential oils are retained in your coffee. These particles give it a deeper, richer flavour. French press may be your best choice if you like big-bodied coffees. That slightly oily feel and big body reflect the qualities of most dark roasts, so those are great in a French press.
French Press Tips for Perfection
Following the steps above should produce a delicious cup of coffee. However, the French Press can leave a bitter taste in your mouth if not brewed appropriately. Here's a few tips to avoid bitterness:
The best coffee starts with great coffee. High-quality whole beans coffee should be purchased and roasted just before consumption.
Bitterness is usually a result of over-extraction. Leaving the coffee in contact with the grounds after it's done brewing will result in over-extraction, so we recommend you decant the coffee immediately.
Uneven grinding can also contribute to bitterness: tiny pieces of ground coffee (called 'fines') extract faster than larger pieces. You might consider a burr grinder, if not, and changing your burrs if necessary.
Boiling-hot coffee can burn the beans and make it bitter. By bringing water to a boil, then allowing it to cool for at least one minute before serving the coffee, 200 degrees is ideal.
The bitterness of old coffee in the filter can be a problem. It is best to thoroughly clean your French Press every time you use it.
Get Started
French Press Coffee: What you need to know
Most owners' manuals brew instructions include the following: Pour ground coffee into a cup, then add hot water. Let it sit for four minutes before you plunge. The best coffee is possible – but only if you are lucky. But the real devil lies in the details. Here are some things you might need.
Filtered water The water you use to brew your coffee is free from any impurities or odors.
Coffee beans: The "best" coffee is a matter of preference, but generally speaking, high-quality and freshly-roasted coffee beans will give you a great cup. French press specialists prefer to brew medium- or dark-roasted coffee because it allows for slow extraction of oils and flavor. French roast is smooth, full-bodied and smoky.
Coffee grinder: To get the most fresh tasting coffee we suggest grinding your beans at home. Coffee that has been pre-ground may have lost some of its taste over time. The coffee could also have picked up smells from your home if not properly stored. We love a burr grind coffee grinder. You can adjust the grind size to get a better coffee.
To boil the water, you can either use an electric or stovetop kettle. This will allow for easier and more secure pouring of hot water into your French press. If you're not using an electric kettle that gives you an exact temperature-read, an instant-read thermometer can gauge temperature of the hot water before it gets poured onto the ground coffee.
Scale or coffee scoop: Using a scale to measure your ground coffee may sound complicated, but it is a foolproof way to get consistently great tasting coffee. This eliminates the need to guess how much coffee you should use. An additional option is to use a measure or coffee scoop. To ensure consistent grind coffee, level the grounds with a scoop.
Why French Press Coffee Is Bad For You?
Since the French Press' filter does not filter out cafestol it has been in news for some time. Cafestol, a substance which causes LDL levels in the body to increase, is known as "bad" cholesterol.
How many Scoops of Coffee should I Add to a French Press?
Make your coffee the best by adding a heaping teaspoon (7-8 grams) to the pot for every 200 ml (6.7oz) water. Put hot water in the pot. Stir gently. Carefully reinsert the plunger into the pot, stopping just above the water and ground coffee (do not plunge yet), and let stand for 3-4 minutes.
French Press Coffee Is Stronger
French press coffee has a higher strength than regular coffee. The filter uses a fine mesh screen that allows fines from coffee beans to escape into the final coffee carafe. The grind size and volume can also influence the strength of French-press coffee.
Are you able to keep coffee in French presses for as long as possible before pressing?
Let the coffee bloom for thirty seconds. Pour the remaining water and place the lid gently on top of the grounds. Don't plunge just yet. Set the coffee aside for four minutes.
