Last Updated on August 25, 2024 by brewthatcoffee
French press coffee is a manual brewing method that uses a cylindrical carafe with a plunger and mesh filter. Fresh ground coffee is covered with boiling water for a few minutes before being plunged to extract the oils and flavonoids that make French-pressed coffee so flavorful.
Standard French Press Brewing Method
Equipment
- French Press
- Coffee Grinder
- Kettle
- Scale
- Timer
- Stirring untensil
Ingredients
Coffee Beans & Water
- Regular Strength Coffee – 1:12 ratio.
- Strong Coffee – 1:10 ratio.
- Mild Coffee – 1:15 ratio.
Instructions
Step 1: Boil The Water
Start by heating your water. Do not use boiling water, as it can adversely affect and burn the grounds, giving your coffee a bitter taste.
Ensure your water is heated between 195 and 205°F, using a thermometer to check the temperature.
Too cold water may not extract the flavors from the grounds and would need a longer steeping time.
Step 2: Warm Your Press
French presses are made of glass or stainless steel and can drop the temperature of your water. Pour some hot water into the press and allow the press to warm up.
Step 3: Weigh & Grind Your Coffee Beans
While waiting for your water to heat, weigh your beans, set your grinder to coarse, and grind.
Step 4: Add Coffee Grinds
Put your French press on a small kitchen scale and press tare/zero out; add your desired amount of coffee.
Step 5: Bloom The Coffee
Pour your water over the grounds and allow the grounds and water to stand for around 30-40 seconds. This allows the ground beans to degas, releasing carbon dioxide (CO2), which can interfere with the extraction process.
Step 6: Add Water & Let Brew
Add the rest of the water and gently stir the coffee grounds. Place the plunger on top of the press and push down just above the water level. Leave the coffee to brew for about 4 minutes.
Step 7: Plunge And Decant
Next, gently press the plunger down, filtering the coffee. Avoid pushing the plunger too far down and compacting the grounds, as this can increase the coffee sludge. Decant and enjoy.
What Is French Press Coffee?
French press coffee is a manual brewing approach with different portable and self-contained variations compared to other coffee makers.
Freshly ground coffee beans are added to a cylindrical carafe and sit in hot water for a few minutes to extract the oils and flavonoids from the coffee grounds.
The brew is then slowly plunged by a metal or plastic handle with a fine stainless-steel wire or mesh filter to separate the grounds from the liquid.
What Size French Press Should I Buy?
It’s important to consider the size of the French press you need. This all depends on the size of your family or how many cups of coffee you want to get out of a carafe.
French presses come in different sizes, and the most popular are,
- 3 cups (12 ounces)
- 4 cups (17 ounces)
- 8 cups (34 ounces)
- 12 cups (51 ounces)
If you are single and enjoy a cup of coffee occasionally, a 12 to 17-ounce is perfect.
For a couple that enjoys sharing a good cup of coffee together, it’s best to buy a 34-ounce.
For a family, it’s best to stick with a 51-ounce so you save time making only one brew session instead of making coffee in intervals.