A French Press is a low-tech but highly effective method of brewing coffee. A simple pressing mechanism ensures full flavour is extracted from the grounds.
Pour some boiling water into your French Press to sit as you prepare your beans and water. This improves overall brew quality, as brewing coffee into a cold vessel sucks the proper heat and potential consistency from the final product.
Depending on the size of your French Press and desired coffee quantity refer to the following:
Your coffee should be ground slightly coarser than a filter grind. Each granule should be distinctly visible to the naked eye. Refer to the picture for added clarity on grind size.
Your water should be just off of boil, approximately 200-204°F.
Make sure to empty your vessel of any of the water used to heat it. Then add your ground coffee to the press and pour your water over it, saturating all of the grinds. Stir twice to ensure full saturation.
Without pressing the plunger, replace the lid engaging the seal. Now sit back and wait 4-5 minutes for your brew.
Press down, but don't press harder than necessary. It should take between 15-20 seconds to fully press your French Press. If your pressure seems to great, lift the plunger slightly and then continue the plunge. Then you're ready to enjoy!
A finer grind results in a higher extraction and strength. A coarser grind results in a lower extraction and strength.
Too much coffee can result in a brew that is too strong and sour. Insufficient coffee can result in a brew that is weak and bitter.
