Introduction

Brew your coffee using French Press

French Press – a simple method that allows for smaller amounts of coffee to be prepared at once which can be then directly served from the pot.

The preparation itself is very easy. Coarsely ground coffee in an amount depending on the pot size is covered by hot water and left to stand for approx. 4 minutes. Then you push down the pot slowly and the coffee is ready.

There are plenty of various quality push-pots available but we always prefer the Bodum Chamboard.

Step 1

Grind your coffee

When preparing quality coffee it is always necessary to start with an appropriate grinder, preferably with burrs rather than blades. Cheap grinders chop coffee rather than grind, which results in uneven and unpredictable particle size. This further leads to uneven extraction and possibly bitter taste.

French Press method requires a slightly coarser grind than drip coffee. Grinding coarser allows for longer and more stable extraction, which at the end brings a full-bodied, well-nuanced cup of coffee.

Step 2

Weight your coffee

Always start with fresh beans. Order them online. Usually 30 grams of ground coffee is used per 0,5 l water. This rule comes from the Gold Cup Standard for drip coffee. But, do not be discouraged from experimenting – the taste is always most important.

Step 3

Add water

Bring the water to boil and let it sit for approximately 40 seconds. At this point you have a perfect water temperature, which is around 92-94°C. Pour the hot water aggressively into the French Press to saturate the grounds. The key is to saturate all the grounds evenly, so try to pour the water in a circular way in order to achieve this.

Do not fill the whole French Press. When using fresh coffee you will experience a significant expansion, usually called “a bloom”. This is the result of “off-gassing” or releasing CO² from the coffee beans.

Step 4

Time it!

Don’t forget to use a timer! The steeping time should not exceed 4 minutes. Whether you prefer to stir the grounds after 1 minute or take the crust out after 3 minutes is solely up to your personal preference. The taste is always your best guidance!

Step 5

Take out crust, push and enjoy

When you reach the 4 minute mark, it is time to push the grounds and pour your coffee into preheated cups or carafe. Never leave the leftover coffee in the French Press for later consumption. The taste quickly deteriorates and things can get pretty nasty. Now it is time to enjoy a great cup of coffee!