French Press

Step 1: Gather Your Arsenal & Prepare Your Grounds

Before diving into water quality, let’s talk beans! Freshly roasted, whole bean coffee is the secret ingredient to truly exceptional French press. Grind your beans just before brewing for optimal flavor. Aim for a coarse grind – think the size of sea salt or kosher salt. A finer grind will slip through the filter, resulting in a gritty cup.

Step 2: Heat the Water & Bloom the Coffee

Water temperature is crucial. Bring your water to a boil, then let it sit for about a minute to cool slightly to around 200°F (93°C). This prevents burning the coffee grounds.

Now, for the magic trick: blooming! This process releases trapped carbon dioxide and allows the coffee to degas, resulting in a richer flavor.

Measure your coffee: A common ratio is 1:15 (coffee to water). For example, for a 34oz French press, you’ll use about 2 tablespoons (30g) of coffee and 15 oz (440ml) of water. Use a scale for the best accuracy.

Pour a small amount of hot water: Just enough to saturate the grounds, around twice the weight of the coffee (60ml for 30g of coffee).

Wait 30 seconds: This is the “bloom” phase. You’ll see the coffee bubble and release its aroma.

Step 3: Steep & Stir

After the bloom, slowly pour the remaining hot water over the saturated grounds, ensuring all the coffee is evenly wet.

Gently stir: Use a spoon or stir to ensure all the grounds are submerged.

Place the lid on, but don’t plunge: You want to trap the heat, but plunging prematurely will disrupt the brewing process.

Steep for 4 minutes: Set a timer and be patient! This is crucial for extracting the full flavor of the coffee.

Step 4: Plunge & Pour with Precision

Plunge slowly and evenly after steeping. Don’t force it; ease up if resisted.

Once the plunger is fully depressed, pour your coffee immediately. Leaving the coffee in the French press will continue the brewing process, potentially leading to a bitter taste. Decant the coffee into a carafe if you’re not planning on drinking it all right away.

Enjoy Your French Press Masterpiece!

With these four simple steps, you’re on your way to enjoying a beautifully brewed cup of French press coffee. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different coffee origins, grind sizes, and brewing times to find your perfect cup. Happy brewing!