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French Press

For those who crave a sense of ritual in their daily coffee experience, there is the always the French Press. Also known as a press pot. The popularity of the French Press has a great deal to do with its aesthetic appeal as well as the careful routine involved in its preparation, but there are also a few distinct differences in a cup of French Press coffee that set it apart from those prepared through other brewing methods.

Once you have chosen a French Press that suits your individual needs, and you have your favorite freshly roasted whole bean coffee on hand, you are ready to make your French Press.

As always it is essential to start with fresh, whole bean coffee, ground just before use. Usually, the appropriate grind for a French Press will be a bit coarser than that used for a filter drip brewer, but not as coarse as that used for a percolator. Grind the coffee as evenly as possible, but coarse enough so the grounds will not pass through the filter screen. See our page on grinding for more information.

To Make Your French Press:

  • First, put the water on to heat. Remember it is best to start with cold, clean water heated to approximately 195 degrees.
  • Remove the plunger from the carafe and measure the ground coffee into the bottom of the carafe. If using a scale, 7.25 grams per 4-5 oz. of water is a good guide depending on desired strength. If using a typical 2T coffee spoon, use one scoop per 8-10 oz of water.
  • Once your water is heated, pour the right amount of water slowly into the carafe making sure not to fill the jug too full. Remember, the plunger still has to fit in there.
  • Now that your coffee and water are together at last, take a spoon and give it a stir. “Blooming”, or puffing up, is not uncommon and may indicate that your coffee is a bit too fresh for the press. It hasn’t had a chance to “off gas” yet. Stirring should fix the problem, should this occur.
  • Place the lid/plunger into the carafe, keeping the heat trapped inside but not weighing on the grounds and brew. Usually leveling the screen filter to just below the spout works fine. Wait 4 minutes for the brew to develop.
  • After 4 minutes, slowly push the plunger down into the bottom of the carafe, being careful at first to stay evenly atop the grounds. It is said that the best pot of French Press coffee comes from a plunge that is slow and steady, using only the weight of your hand to apply pressure to the plunger, though some resistance is normal and may require you to use some force near the bottom. Now, leave the plunger depressed so it keeps the grounds in place while you pour a cup.

 

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