French Press

For those who crave a sense of ritual in their daily coffee experience, there is the always lovely French Press.  Also known as a “press pot”, this device features a cylindrical carafe with a lid/plunger, complete with wire or nylon filter and a sturdy frame and handle.  Surely, 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.  Here we will go over the process of brewing in a French Press, and why someone may or may not want to choose this as their preferred method of making coffee.

Once you have chosen a French Press that suits your individual needs (yes, there are endless styles and sizes), 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. If you have questions, ask someone at your favorite local coffee shop to show you what French Press grounds look like so that you have an idea of what to look for at home. See our page on grinding for more information.

To Make Your French Press:

1. First, put the water on to heat. Remember it is best to start with cold, clean water heated to approximately 195 degrees.
2. 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.
3. Once your water is heated, pour the correct 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Now for the most difficult part of French Press preparation, wait four minutes for the brew to develop.
7. After four 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, and enjoy.

Given your taste preference, grind style and technique, as well as the desired strength of the brew, you may want to experiment with your brew time, as well as the grind.

Now, just why does that French Press coffee you just drank taste so darn different?  Well, one major difference between a French Press and other brewing methods is the control you have over the water temperature and brew time, which are so very important yet often out of your control on many automated drip machines.  Also, the absence of a paper or cloth filter allows many of the precious coffee oils to make in into your cup instead of being absorbed by the filter.  And, if you enjoy a heavy body presence in your cup, the added sediment and oils will surely appeal to you.

On the other hand, French Press coffee is not for everyone, especially those who prefer the clarity of filtered coffee. Successful French Press brewing can also be challenging for those without a decent grinder.  Because many low end consumer grinders do not produce a consistently even grind, one may find the brew too thick or sludgy, due to an increase of fine grounds or sediment in the cup.  Another thing to consider is that most French Presses are not designed to keep coffee hot, so you should make just what you intend to drink immediately or transfer any excess to a thermos or carafe as it will get cold quickly and will also continue to strengthen the longer it sits resulting in overextraction and bitterness.

When prepared properly, the French Press produces a truly unique, full-bodied and flavorful cup of coffee while allowing the brewer maximum control over the brewing process. For those who love French Press coffee, no other method can serve as a substitute.