Coffee: French Press

When it comes to taste, there are very few things that people agree upon. I think, however, that I’ve found one: the French Press. Starbucks, in their Coffee Passport booklet given to new employees, calls the coffee press (French Press) “the best brewing method for enjoying a coffee’s true, full flavor.” It is quick, simple and, as illy caffee, the Italian coffee producer says, yields “a deeply satisfying coffee that is rich, robust and aromatic.”

Making coffee in a French Press is simplicity itself: medium to coarsely ground coffee is placed in a cylinder, hot water is poured into the cylinder and a plunger separates the coffee from the grounds. Done.

Like other brewing methods you can vary the amount of coffee to your preferences. Illy suggests one tablespoon per 8 ounces, others recommend two tablespoons per eight ounces (I use two). Almost universally, it is recommended to let the coffee brew for 3-5 minutes depending on the grind (always use a medium to course grind). Illy, at its web site, tells us you don’t need to let the coffee brew at all. I’ve tried both ways. The Illy method yields a cleaner but less rich cup of coffee. It’s up to you.

The Specs:

Put the French Press on a flat, dry surface and holding handle of the press, pull the plunger straight up and out of the pot.

Place one or two heaping tablespoon (7 - 8 grams) of coffee into the pot for every 8 ounces of water. A medium to course grind should be used. Try different grinds to suit your taste. Too fine a grind can clog the filter and make it difficult to press.

Pour hot (not boiling) water into the pot.

Stir the water and grounds a couple of times then fit the plunger into the cylinder with plunger base above the water.

Set your timer (buy a timer) for 3-5 minutes. I let my coffee brew for four minutes.

When ready, push the plunger down using a slow, steady motion. Slow and steady pressure produces the best results. (Pushing too fast could cause hot coffee to shoot out from the spout of the pot. Not a good thing.)

Let the pot rest for a minute or so to let the coffee settle. Like good red wine, there will be sediment at the bottom of your coffee cup; don’t drink it!

Wash the pot in mild detergent and water and dry thoroughly after each use.

Extras:
To heat the water for my coffee I use an electric kettle. I fill it the night before, and as soon as I wake up in the morning, I stumble into the kitchen and click it on. When I stumble back, the water is hot and the first thing I do is to pour hot water into the French Press to pre-heat it. Then I pour that water into my coffee cup to pre-heat that. Then I make my coffee.

It’s hard to find a better tasting cup of coffee brewed at home this side of a really great espresso machine.