Why is French Press Coffee better?
French press coffee is good because it is able to cater to the specific taste buds of the coffee drinkers. Some like their coffee hot while others like cold coffee; with a French press you are able to control the temperature of the water being poured on the beans which creates a temperature suited to your requirements.
The level of caffeine can also be controlled i.e. if you want a strong cup of coffee; you can allow the beans to be soaked for longer leading to an intense flavor. Coffee beans consist of oils that consist of various lipids and colloids that give the coffee its consistency and flavor.
The French press allows these oils to get absorbed into the coffee while other methods either burn them or are unable to extract them. Coffee beans are one commodity that comes from various regions of the world. The beans carry with them a sense of identity which can be tasted through a perfectly brewed cup. The French press allows the different flavors to seep in so that the specific flavors of the countries they came from, can be tasted leading to an exquisite cup of coffee.
What do you need for French Press Coffee?
In order to prepare a mug of French press coffee, we would require a French press or Coffee plunger as they call it. When you begin to make French Press coffee, you will need a tea kettle and grinder in addition to the French press.
Before making the French press coffee, we should pay attention to the grind. The French press works best on a medium grind. The grind should be adequate so that the plunger can be moved easily. A narrow grind would lead to the plunger getting clogged and the coffee would be unable to achieve its taste. You would need a heat source which allows you to control the temperature because temperature control is vital to brewing a nice cup of coffee.
You would need a good quality coffee blend because the better the blend is, the better the coffee would taste. The French press also comes in versions with a travel mug usually marketed to hikers. However in the absence, you would need a mug that fits your requirement for a coffee quantity.
If you like your coffee creamy and sweet you can add cream or milk and sugar or add sweetened condensed milk (this is my favorite).
What do you need to know regarding French Press Coffee?
Important step preparing French Pressed coffee is estimating just the right proportions of coffee to the water. Simply use 1 ½ level tablespoons of ground coffee per 6 ounces of water. This will produce a very strong coffee, if you prefer a milder taste, just adjust the coffee down to 1 tablespoon.
As a rule of thumb with brewing any and all coffee, you should buy your own beans and grind them yourself, recommended to grind beans right before you’ll start prepare your coffee.
For the purest taste, always use the highest quality water available, bottled or filtered (not distilled) water is best.
French Press Brewing Time
The brewing time in a coffee is directly co-related to the coarseness of the coffee beans. The French press brewing time is generally the longest because the water and coffee beans have to be in connection for longer, therefore use as coarse a grind as possible. In addition the time for which the coffee beans are soaked in the water is also important because only the required ingredients should be extracted. If they are soaked for long, other elements may be extracted which makes the coffee taste bitter.
The filter should be cleaned immediately after use and you should use purified water so that the taste of the coffee is not compromised. Another thing to consider is the heat loss. The temperature of the water may be eroded due to the introduction of the plunger which results in heat loss. It can be avoided by pre-heating the plunger so that the coffee tastes the way it should. However pre-heating also has been known to add an off flavor to the coffee therefore it is a flaw that would have to be lived with.
French Press Coffee Step by Step
- Make sure you use coarsely grounded coffee beans so that the tastes flow in and the sediment does not enter the coffee.
- Remove the top and filter from the coffeemaker and add 1 tablespoon of coffee.
- Pre-heat the water to about 90-96 oC.
- Slowly pour the water into the coffeemaker, turn a stream of water to wall of coffeemaker – do not “scare” coffee. And stir slightly so that a foam is created.
- Put the top back on and pull the filter up.
- Let the coffee brew for around 4 minutes. Although different coffee blends have different brewing time so make sure you check the back of the coffee tin for specific brewing instructions.
- Compress the plunger to increase the body and flavor.
- Slowly press the filter down ensuring that the filter is facing forward.
- Wait for about half a minute for the sediment to settle at the bottom of the coffeemaker.
- Pour the coffee in a mug after that so that no sediment or residue enters the mug.
- Enjoy a perfectly brewed French press coffee.
What to Look for when buying a French Press
Not all French presses are created equal. A press with a metal frame is sturdier and more durable. The lid on a good French press needs to fit snugly to keep the heat in the carafe. Remember, the coffee brews in the carafe for a few minutes and if the fit is not tight the coffee will cool quickly. Also, the plunger must be smooth and depress evenly. If the plunger doesn’t move straight down a seal will not form around the filter and a lot of grounds will end up in your coffee.
Make sure that the handle is made from a material that is cool to the touch and grips well. As far as style goes, most connoisseurs prefer a metal frame and a glass carafe because they can see what is going on with their brew. There are also all metal, ceramic and plastic versions, but few look as attractive or are as practical as the metal/glass combination.
You will probably want to buy a good grinder to go with your press. If you already have a blade grinder it will do a serviceable job, but a burr grinder is preferable as its grinds more consistently. The good ones have an adjustable blade which allows you to adjust coarseness too. Evenly ground beans at the proper coarseness ensure better filtering and a consistent taste.
Finally, a water thermometer is a good idea if you want to perfect the temperature for your perfect brew each time. It takes the guesswork out of brewing and ensures a consistent taste in every cup.
How do you make a perfect cup of coffee with a French Press?
As a general guideline, use one 1 tablespoon of coffee for every 4 fluid ounces of water.
Here is the basic process to prepare your perfect French press coffee:
- Boil your water, adding a little extra than what is needed for just the coffee. Use bottled or filtered water when possible. Never use soft water or distilled water as the minerals in the water are essential for good coffee.
- Grind your coffee.
- Take out the plunger and rinse it with the hot water.
- Rinse the carafe and cups with the hot water too so that your coffee stays hot.
- Add the ground coffee to the French press using the 1 tablespoon to 4 fluid ounces of water ratio.
- Once the water has boiled, you will want to wait about 15 seconds before you pour it over the coffee in the French press (if you have a water thermometer the water should be at 200°F).
- Pour the water over the coffee grounds. Pour slowly and evenly. The coffee may bloom (bubble up) so you may want to stir the top inch of the mixture. The idea is to get all of the coffee in contact with the water.
- Put the plunger back on top of the press and make sure that you turn it so that the pour spout is blocked. Don’t lower the
plunger yet. - Wait between 2 1/2 and 6 minutes (this is where experimentation comes in) and then press down slowly and with steady pressure. If there is very little pressure your grind may be too coarse. If it is too hard to press down you need to make your grind coarser.
- Once the plunger is all the way down, turn the lid to open the spout, pour and enjoy!
Grinding Your Coffee for French Press
In days gone by coffee was ground by hand. Some people still use a manual grinder, but more than likely yours will be electric. The French Press uses a very coarse grind because the grounds will be in contact with water for a long time. There are pre-ground coffees available for a French press, but the best coffee always comes from freshly ground beans. It’s fast and it’s easy to do, so why not go for the best!
Beans should not be stored for long periods of time. Air and light degrade beans so buy ones packaged in vacuum-sealed bags. Store your beans in an airtight glass or ceramic container once the bag is open. Beans should be at room temperature and not in the fridge or freezer. Beans take up odors and moisture easily, especially dark roast ones.
The type of bean you use depends on you. You can’t go wrong with 100% pure Arabica beans, but some people like to experiment with blends for a unique taste treat.
Grinding coffee to your liking does take a bit of experimentation, but once you get it right you will appreciate the effort. If your coffee tastes too weak, grind the beans finer. If it is bitter, you may have ground them too much.
Don’t leave the coffee sitting in the carafe as it can get too strong or bitter. Try to make what you are going to use as reheated coffee or coffee left on a warmer will turn your perfect coffee into a foul-tasting one instead.
Some French press coffee presses produce some sediment, so don’t pour the last of the coffee into your cup.
How do you take care of a French Press?
Keeping your French press clean and in perfect order is simple. After use, take apart the screen and plunger assembly. Put in a teaspoon of baking soda instead and fill the carafe with hot water. Put all the parts inside and let everything soak for a few minutes. Rinse everything well and put on paper towels. Check to make sure there is no coffee residue left on the parts. If there is, wash again.
Coffee is very oily, so two or three times a month you will want to give your French press a thorough cleaning. If you have a dishwasher, just unscrew the plunger screen and put all the pieces in the silverware basket. If you are washing by hand, a baking soda and boiling water solution with a few drops of dish soap will loosen the oils. Rinse the parts well and air dry.
Don’t forget to clean your storage containers and your coffee grinder too. These get very oily over time and if not kept clean they can go rancid.