A French press, also known as a cafetiere or coffee press, is a simple and convenient method for brewing coffee at home. It’s a classic way to brew coffee that can produce a delicious cup if used correctly. The French press is easy to clean, disassemble, and is durable with careful handling. However, it has some features that need to be taken into account.
Features of the French Press
The French press is a cylinder-shaped beaker, usually made of glass, but often plastic or steel, with a plunger. The piston of the plunger is made of mesh, allowing liquid to flow through it but not the larger coffee grounds. The first thing to note is the metal sieve of the French press. It has a large fraction and lets through fine dust, which is always present in any grind. Therefore, you need to be careful and attentive to this.
Volumes and Coffee to Water Ratio
French press volumes can vary. In this case, a 300 ml French press is used. A simple formula for the coffee-to-water ratio is: 60 g of coffee per 1 liter of water. Knowing the volume of your French press, you can easily calculate how many grams of coffee you will need. In this case, for 250 ml of water, you will need 15 g of coffee.
Brewing Coffee in a French Press
1. Grinding the Coffee
Use freshly ground coffee with a coarse grind, similar to coarse sea salt. A coarse grind is preferred as the metal sieve lets through fine particles, resulting in a rare and sharp taste. It’s recommended to grind the coffee beans right before brewing to ensure freshness.
2. Preparing the Water
Pour water into the kettle and bring it to a boil. For brewing coffee in a French press, you need a temperature of 92-94 degrees Celsius. It is not recommended to use water with a higher temperature as it can lead to the burning of sugars and enzymes, causing an unpleasant bitterness. If you’re brewing dark-roasted coffee or decaf, it’s better with water about 10 to 15°F lower.
3. Brewing the Coffee
Start the timer and pour 60 g of water for 15 g of coffee. Stir to distribute the coffee evenly in the water. Then pour the remaining volume of water and close the lid without lowering the plunger. Wait 2-3 minutes, depending on the desired intensity of taste.
4. Serving the Coffee
Open the lid, stir the coffee so that the large particles settle at the bottom. At the third minute, gently lower the plunger down. Don’t rush, so that the fine particles don’t seep through the sieve and get into the cup.
Additional Tips for Better French Press Coffee
- Start with fresh coffee beans: To brew a fresh cup of coffee, you need to start with fresh coffee beans. Check the expiration date of the coffee beans before you start.
- Preheat your French press and coffee mug: If you want to keep your coffee warmer for longer, preheat your French press and coffee mug for one minute before brewing the coffee.
- Brew for 4 minutes: To avoid burnt coffee, you should brew for four minutes. If you prefer less bitter coffee, brew for 3 minutes.
- Transfer coffee to a thermal carafe: Immediately after brewing, you should transfer the coffee to a thermal carafe. Allowing the coffee to sit in the French Press will simply lead to over-extraction and an overly bitter cup of coffee1.
- Clean your coffee press: Clean your French Press after each use to prevent tainting future cups of coffee.
Conclusion
The French press differs from other coffee brewing methods in that the brew is cloudy due to the fine particles that get into the cup. These particles continue to interact with the water and brew, so the taste of the coffee will change over time. Despite this, the French press remains a popular choice for its simplicity and the unique, robust flavor it imparts to the coffee
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