Brew Method: French Press

The French press is a classic coffee brewing method that has been around for over 100 years. Also known as a press pot or plunger pot, it’s a simple yet effective way to brew coffee that produces a full-bodied, rich cup. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the basics of using a French press to brew coffee and share some tips for getting the best results.

What You’ll Need

To brew coffee with a French press, you’ll need the following equipment:

• French press
• Freshly roasted coffee beans
• Coffee grinder
• Kettle
• Timer
• Scale (optional)

Brewing Process

1. Start by heating water to around 200°F (93°C) in a kettle. If you don't have a thermometer, bring the water to a boil and then let it cool for about 30 seconds before pouring it into the French press.

2. While the water is heating up, grind your coffee beans. For a French press, you'll want a coarse grind, similar to sea salt.

3. Add the coffee grounds to the French press. The general rule of thumb is to use a ratio of 1:15 coffee to water. So, for example, if you're using 15 grams of coffee, you'll need 225 grams (or 225 milliliters) of water.

4. Once the water has heated up, pour it over the coffee grounds in the French press, making sure to saturate all of the grounds.

5. Give the coffee a quick stir with a spoon to ensure that all the grounds are wet.

6. Place the lid on the French press, but don't plunge it yet. Set your timer for 4 minutes and let the coffee steep.

7. After 4 minutes, slowly push down the plunger on the French press. This separates the coffee grounds from the brewed coffee, preventing over-extraction.

8. Pour the brewed coffee into your cup and enjoy!