Discover the enduring charm of the French Press, an elegant coffee classic. Its simple design and manual operation give you complete control, resulting in a bold, flavourful cup that hits the spot every time. What sets it apart is the ability to fully immerse coffee grounds, extracting oils and essences for a rich, full-bodied brew. Whether you need a quick morning boost or you are entertaining guests, the French press offers convenience without compromising quality. Join us as we share techniques, ratios, and tips to achieve perfection with every plunge. Let’s get brewing!
What You’ll Need:
- Freshly Roasted Coffee Beans: The quantity of coffee needed varies according to the size of your plunger. Follow the golden ratio of 1:16—1g of coffee for every 16ml of water.
- Plunger: Feel free to select any size, but remember to measure the quantity of coffee based on the amount of water you plan to use.
- Boiling Water: For optimal brewing, use pure, filtered water.
- Grinder: While pre-ground coffee does the trick, grinding your beans right before brewing enhances the freshness and flavour. Investing in a good grinder is inexpensive and absolutely worthwhile.
- Scale: A digital scale ensures accuracy in coffee-to-water ratios. Need a scale? Here’s our suggestion
- Timer: Consistency in brewing hinges on precise timing. Here’s a scale with a built-in timer.
- Your Favourite Coffee Mug(s): You need a vessel for all that liquid gold!
If you don’t have a grinder at home, you can get pre-ground coffee from us online or buy beans at any of our physical stores, and we’ll grind them for you on the spot.
Coffee Calculator
Calculate how much coffee you will need based on the size of the cup or carafe you want to use:
Press, Pour, Perfection!
1. The Weight
Weigh your coffee beans according to your preferred coffee-to-water ratio, factoring in the size of your plunger. We recommend 1g of coffee to every 16ml of water for a truly satisfying brew.
2. The Grind
Grind your coffee beans to a coarse consistency, similar to breadcrumbs or sea salt. This specific texture is crucial for effective filtration through the press’s metal mesh filter, ensuring no grounds infiltrate your cup and avoiding any undesirable grittiness in your brew.
3. The Preheat
Prime your French press by preheating it with hot water. Swirl the water to distribute heat evenly, then discard it. This helps maintain the temperature of the brewing process and ensures even extraction.
4. The Good Stuff
Add the measured coffee grounds into the preheated French press.
5. The Saturation
Pour freshly boiled water over the grounds, filling the press halfway to the top. Ensure all grounds are fully covered, eliminating any dry spots, and gently stir the mixture with a spoon to encourage even extraction.
6. The Stir
After letting your brew sit for a minute, use a wooden spoon or spatula to break up the top crust layer, guaranteeing complete saturation of the coffee grounds and enhancing the flavours in your cup.
7. The Pour
Now top it up with the remaining water. Cover the press and let the coffee brew without pressing down.
8. The Steep
Let the coffee steep for approximately 4 minutes, adjusting the steeping time according to your desired strength preference.
9. The Plunge
When you’re ready, slowly press down the plunger, applying gentle pressure to maintain an optimal filtering pace for the grounds.
10. The Joy
Immediately pour the freshly brewed coffee into cups to prevent an over-extracted, bitter brew. To effectively clean the French Press, pour a small amount of water into the grounds, give it a swirl, then discard the contents into a waste bin.
Some Helpful Tips:
- To get the best results, use freshly ground beans that have been roasted within the last month.
- Use the hottest water possible, as this method is time-consuming and your coffee may cool down.
- Adjust the grind size to achieve the desired strength and avoid sediment in the cup.
- Experiment with water temperature and steeping time to find your perfect brew.
- Enjoy your coffee soon after brewing for the best flavour experience.
- Remember, each component contributes to the quality of your coffee, so pay attention to detail and enjoy the process of crafting your perfect cup.