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One of the best parts about being a coffee consumer is the immense variety of brews and types you can enjoy. From different flavor profiles and rich aromas to numerous preparation techniques, there is just so much to explore and try out! While fancy lattes and cappuccinos are undoubtedly delicious, the charm of a traditional cup of coffee still manages to hold its place in our hearts. And there is no better way of making a delicious cup of coffee than through a classic French press.
French pressed coffee is among the cheapest and simplest ways of getting your morning mug ready. However, don't let that mislead you into thinking that it compromises quality or taste. After all, French pressed coffee is loved by people around the world for its rich flavors and a soothing aroma that has the power to make your mornings much more enjoyable. And it does so using just coffee, water, and your trusty French press machine!
To help you discover the wonderful world of the French press and get the most out of your machine, we have compiled together everything you should know. This blog post includes it all; starting from what is French press coffee and taking you through all of the steps on how to make the best French press coffee ever!
P.S. We have also added our tried-and-tested tips for French press at the end to truly elevate your coffee game. Be sure to try them out and show off these newfound coffee preparation skills to your family members and colleagues!
Before we give in to the techniques and tips, you should first understand what exactly a French press is and why it's so beloved among coffee connoisseurs around the world.
The French press is simply a manual way to prepare your coffee. It is the ideal technique for people who not only enjoy drinking a classic cup of coffee but also take great pleasure in the process. Your French press uses a coffee plunging machine to add pressure to the coffee beans for a delicious brew. Now, you're probably wondering how does the French press technique stand out?
Most traditional coffee filters absorb most of the oils, and thus the flavor, of your coffee beans. While you may still get good-tasting coffee, the result can actually be highly enhanced by using a French press machine. This is due to the French press technique allowing your coffee beans to steep well, creating a completely saturated brew with a rich flavor profile. Moreover, since you can easily manipulate the temperature of water used in the press, it allows you more control over your coffee.
French press machines come in two different types:
Although the glass French press looks better and has that stunning rustic look, a thermal French press is more functional. Thermal French press machines are insulated to keep your coffee hot for a longer time. They are also travel-friendly and sturdier.
The right ingredients used at the right temperature can have a huge impact on the final taste and richness of your coffee. Therefore, before diving into the French press technique, we have summarized the ingredients needed below. We also mentioned the best conditions and texture to use for the perfect cup of French press coffee. To cut it short, a French press requires three ingredients; coffee, water, and lots of patience. Let's see how you should use all three of these.
No matter what blend of coffee you prefer, having freshly ground coffee from Lifeboost is a must to get that perfect cup of French pressed coffee. Another thing you should keep in mind is that French press machines require coarser ground coffee grounds than the typical drip coffee machine. So, if you're grinding your own beans, make sure you get the right consistency and texture. You should also ensure the grind is uniform to get a balanced and delicious cup every morning (and evening if you're like us!)
As you start practicing how to use a French press, you will probably need a few tries before you get the perfect coffee grounds. Don't worry, practice does make perfect so just keep trying until you get it right! Another thing to remember is that different levels of coffee grinds work better for different people. We personally like our consistency the size of sea salt, but perhaps a breadcrumbs level would work better for you? Experiment with different grinding levels so you get a better understanding of what your ideal consistency looks like.
Did you know, the temperature of your water can also alter the taste of your coffee? Yes, it isn't all about the coffee beans and preparation technique! Something as simple as a few °F could be holding you back from getting the most depth and flavor out of your coffee beans! The water you use for your French press should be around 200° F. If you have a kitchen thermometer, it is always best to use that to ensure that the right water temperature is maintained. However, most of us don't have fancy kitchen tools and instead rely on quick hacks to get us through. So, here is an easy way to make sure the 200° F mark is met.
Simply set your water in a saucepan over the stovetop to boil well. Once it starts boiling, remove the saucepan from heat and leave it for a minute (remember to time it carefully!). Since the boiling point of water is 212°F, that extra minute will bring the temperature down just enough for your water to be ready for the French press. Okay, that's enough chemistry, let's move on to the next (and quite essential) ingredient; patience!
Lastly, you will need some patience. Using a French press can take some time, but trust us it's worth the wait! When you steep your coffee in a French press, you will need at least 6 minutes to get your cup of morning coffee. Although this may not seem like a lot of time right now, trust us it can seem excessively slow when you're rushing to get ready and head to work.
These 6 minutes are distributed in the following manner:
Once your coffee grounds are in the press and your water has reached the right temperature, the time for coffee blooming starts. Blooming is the process of your coffee beans expressing CO2, allowing them to absorb more water for improved flavor. While this step can usually be skipped, we always recommend blooming your coffee for some time to get the best taste and aroma. Even a mere 5 to 6 minutes of blooming can improve the flavor vastly!
The true beauty of the French press technique is in its simplicity. No matter what time of the day it is, your French press machine can quickly produce coffee that tastes absolutely delicious and leaves you energized for the rest of the day. It really is the perfect way to get your quick fix of caffeine without having to run to the closest coffee shop!
Here are some easy steps you can follow to prepare your perfect cup of French pressed coffee:
People are often confused about how much coffee they should put in their French press machine for an excellent brew. With coffee beans, eyeballing isn't a very good idea and can often result in a dilute or overly concentrated cup. Additionally, we're sure you don't want to spend every morning trying to estimate whether you've ground enough coffee or need to add some more. Who even has time for that when you're already running late for work?!
A great way to avoid that early morning panic is by following the simple water to coffee grounds ratio. While the amount of coffee grounds you should put in your French press does vary based on the size of the machine and how many cups of coffee you want to make, a general ratio to follow is 1:16. This means 1 gram of ground coffee beans from Lifeboost Coffee for every 16 grams of water. Remember to measure it on a scale instead of guessing your way through and hoping you got it right!
Now that your French pressed coffee is ready, sit back and enjoy the delicious, piping hot cup. Once you're done, it is time to clean up the French press machine. You can follow these easy steps to get it done quickly.
Pro-tip: Disassemble your French press and deep clean it properly every two weeks with a solution of baking soda and vinegar. This is the best way to keep your machine and the plunger clean and hygienic.
Interested in learning some other ways of preparing your coffee in a French press? You can even make a latte in this machine! Here are the ingredients you will need:
Ready to learn all of our coffee secrets? Below, you can find a list of our tried-and-tested French press tips to elevate the flavor and aroma of your coffee:
There you have it, everything you need to know about preparing a piping hot mug of delicious coffee without a coffee maker! Remember; when there's a coffee craving, there is a way to make it. You just have to get creative with all of the tools and equipment already present in your kitchen and come up with fun, unique ways of substituting them for filters and coffee makers.
It also helps to have fresh, high-quality beans, like the ones from
Lifeboost, in your pantry. That way, it doesn't matter if you're using a rolling pin instead of a grinder, or the stovetop instead of some fancy coffee machine, you will still get a rich, flavorsome brew in the end!
Congratulations, you've just mastered a whole new coffee preparation technique! As you go about practicing this skill to perfection and making delicious, aromatic cups of coffee each morning, remember that the coffee beans you use can make all the difference. No matter how perfect your technique is, your coffee will only taste good if you have premium quality coffee beans that have been freshly roasted.
But, how can you assure that your coffee beans are fresh and haven't been waiting on store shelves to be picked up?
The solution is quite simple, just order from Lifeboost coffee!
With utmost devotion to bringing the best quality of coffee beans to every home in America, Lifeboost coffee takes extensive measures to ensure freshness and the perfect roast. All our coffee beans are roasted on order. This means that your coffee is only prepared after you've placed your order, and it degasses during transit through our specialized one-way valve packaging.
Not only will this ensure you get freshly roasted, superior quality coffee beans, but the packaging also minimizes oxidative degeneration to preserve the bean's flavor profile so you can enjoy all of the fruity and earthy undertones. Additionally, our coffee plants are Shade Grown, which means they are placed under a sun-filtering canopy. Since the beans mature at a slower rate under this setup, it allows them to become denser and develop a rich flavor.
Ready to order freshly roasted, gluten-free coffee beans to use in your new French press? Place your order with Lifeboost coffee today!
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Charles Livingston nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content.
All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.