Get to Know Your French Press Better - Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Cup of Coffee

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:

• Thermal French press
• Traditional glass French press

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.

Coffee

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.

Water 

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!

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:

• 2 minutes to boil the water and grind your roasted coffee beans
• 4 minutes to bloom the grounds and steep your coffee well

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!

• Step 1 - Always Start with Freshly Roasted Beans - For a fresh cup of coffee, you need freshly roasted coffee beans (we recommend Lifeboost coffee for premium quality beans). This is the best way to ensure that you get an aromatic and fresh cup of coffee that gives you that perfect kick of caffeine to wake up in the morning. 
  
  
• Step 2 - Grind the Beans Right On-Time - Once you have procured your favorite blend of coffee, it is time to grind the beans. Expert baristas recommend not pre-grinding your beans as they release gases that can tamper with the flavor of your coffee. Instead, you should grind them right before you use the French press for maximum depth of flavor. 
  
  Also, be sure to take into consideration our notes on the perfect ground level of coffee (mentioned above). The fineness and consistency of the ground beans can make quite a difference in how smooth and uniform your coffee tastes. You can achieve a uniform and slightly coarse grind using a burr coffee grinder instead of a blade grinder.
  
  
• Step 3 - Get the Perfect Coffee: Water Ratio - The perfect coffee: water ratio can be found below. However, you may want to tweak the measurements slightly based on how weak or strong you like your coffee. We prefer our morning coffee quite strong, so adding an extra few grams of roasted coffee beans works well. In the evenings, we prefer the 1:16 ratio for a smooth and relaxing coffee experience.
  
  
• Step 4 - Use the Right Temperature of Water - Too many coffee lovers make the mistake of focusing entirely on the coffee beans and forgetting about how important a role water plays in brewing the perfect cup of coffee. For your French press, we recommend skipping out on distilled or RO water because the minerals present in water can enhance your coffee's flavor.
  
  Also, make sure your water is at the right boiling temperature for the best brew. This will help you avoid burning the beans; more on achieving the right temperature below!
  
  
• Step 5 - Preheat Your French Press and Mug - The next step is to get your French press machine and coffee mug at the right temperatures. It ensures your coffee stays hot for longer and prevents quick temperature changes which could damage the beans and interrupt the blooming process.
  
  You can preheat your French press in the microwave if it is made of microwave-friendly material. Another way of pre-heating the carafe and mug is by pouring in some boiling water, swirling it around, and letting it sit for 30 seconds.

• Once the machine has cooled down, remove the coffee grounds using a plastic spatula and add them to your compost. Being environment-friendly is important now more than ever!

• Pour in a mixture of gentle dish soap and water into the French press machine. Use the plunger to move the soapy liquid around to clean your machine well from inside.
  
  
• Rinse out the soapy mixture with water and repeat this process for extra cleaning.
  
  
• Let your French press machine dry by disassembling it so the water evaporates from all of the parts. Then put it back together and store it in a safe spot in your kitchen that is away from children and pets' reach.

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.

• If you're using a finer grind, opt for a shorter brew time. For coarser grinds, a longer brew time works better.
  
  
• Sift out your coffee grounds for uniformity and a consistent flavor.
• Use hot water, but not boiling as it can scald your beans and result in a burnt flavor.
  
  
• Always preheat the French press machine before adding the coffee grounds.
  
  
• Don't stir your coffee; just let it sit for the perfect bloom.
  
  
• Keep your coffee grounds below the filter when you plunge.
  
  
• Stir vigorously to start the brewing process, give the coffee a few gentle stirs in the middle for saturation and finish with a quick, light stir at the end before you plunge.