How to Make French Press Coffee in 6 Easy Steps
One of the most popular coffee brewing methods, the French Press is an easy, and delicious, way to start your morning off right!
When done right, the French press coffee method is ideal for those who love a rich, creamy, flavorful cup of joe. Honestly, though, who doesn't?
The richness of French Press coffee comes from using zero filters, which can absorb the coffee oils and therefore soak up some of the flavor.
Since we all crave that caffeine and deliciousness found in our morning brew, why not see if French Press is for you?
To get the perfect French Press coffee, you need the right tools and measure the perfect French press coffee ratio. Not only will we cover what exactly the French Press is, but also, we also outline below how to make French Press coffee at home.
How the French Press Works
The French Press coffee method, also called cafetiere or coffee press, is a well-engineered method that was invented and patented in Italy in 1929.
French press is a form of immersion brewing where you submerge your coarse coffee grounds for a few minutes in hot water. The coffee is extracted slowly by pressing the grounds through a fine mesh filter into the hot water, which preserves more flavor and oils than the regular drip coffee brewing or espresso.
A French Press coffee maker comprises a beaker, handle, plunger and base. The beaker is where you pour your coffee grounds and hot water. The lid holds the filter and the plunger, while the base is where you place your beaker.
The French press method is one of the easiest ways to prepare coffee in just 4 minutes. And you can also prepare coffee for several people at once, unlike with the Aeropress and the pour-over method.
How to Make French Press Coffee
To make a delicious cup of coffee using the French Press method, you only need three easy things:
- A French Press
- Coarsely ground coffee beans
- Hot water
Here is the best way to make coffee in a French press:
Step 1: Grind your coffee beans
Use a good coffee bean grinder to break the coffee beans into a perfect coarse grind. A conical burr grinder will produce consistent grind sizes for quality coffee, unlike cheap blade coffee grinders. Do not grind your coffee beans into a fine coffee grind, as they will block the filter. Fine coffee grinds work best when you use a drip coffee maker.
Step 2: Preheat your French Press coffee maker
Preheating or warming your brewing equipment ensures that the temperature doesn't fluctuate as the cold equipment and the hot water even out.
To preheat your French Press: Pour warm water, swirl it around and discard the water. This also helps keep your coffee hotter for longer. Preheating your press using scalding hot water is not advisable as it may crack the glass. You need to ensure the glass is slightly warm to the touch before you brew your coffee.
Step 3: Add ground coffee to the press
Remove the lid which holds the plunger and pour the desired amount of coffee grounds into the bottom of the glass. Coffee grounds from Lifeboost coffee will work best as they are mold-free, fresh, packed with great flavor, and you also get to choose between light roast, medium roast, or dark roast to suit your taste buds.
Step 4: Add water
Boil water in a stove top or an electric kettle and let it cool for 30 seconds to achieve the right temperature (202 degrees Fahrenheit). Add water over the coffee and let it "bloom" in the first 3o minutes.
When your coffee is blooming, your coffee grinds will release carbon dioxide that is responsible for better extraction. Once the blooming is complete, your coffee will be bubbly; stir with a non-metallic spoon to break the crust.
Step 5: Steep
Leave the coffee to brew for 4 minutes for a medium-strength brew. Set your timer to get the perfect balanced coffee.
Step 6: Strain
Once you brew your coffee for 4 minutes, strain by pressing down the plunger to separate coffee grinds from water. Slowly push the plunger to prevent mixing up coffee grinds and avoid splashing coffee everywhere. Pour coffee immediately into coffee mugs and enjoy your perfectly blended cup of joe!
Do not let your brew sit for longer than 4 minutes, as this will cause it to over-extract, making it taste bitter. Instead, pour and store any leftovers in a different container.
How to Make Cold Brew Coffee in a French Press
Cold brew coffee is a process of making coffee by letting it sit for 12- 16 hours before storing it in the fridge after straining. Cold brew can be made with any coffee beans or ground coffee and has a strong flavor that's less bitter than hot brewed coffee.
Cold brew French press coffee is less acidic and allows you to savor all flavors, and you get to experience the chocolatey, smooth roast flavor that you miss when you take hot brewed coffee.
Here is how you can make a cold brew using the French Press method:
Step 1: Add ground coffee
Add fresh, coarsely ground coffee to the press, fill it halfway, and fill the other half with cold or room temperature.
Step 2: Let your coffee sit
Stir the coffee grounds using a wooden or plastic spoon to ensure all the coffee grounds are wet, and let your coffee sit for 12 to 16 hours in a cool dark place.
Step 3: Strain coffee grounds
Press the plunger slowly to strain the coffee grounds into a storage container or jar and place your brew concentrate in your refrigerator.
Enjoy your cold brew by pouring over the ice, or add milk, syrup, and other flavorings if you wish.
If you are making cold brew French Press for the first time, you can start with the ratio of 3 parts water to 1 part coffee grinds. However, this is subject to change as you adjust the parts to suit your flavor.
Tips for Making French Press Coffee
Here are a few tricks to make your morning cup of joe taste even better:
Grind your coffee beans
Use freshly ground coffee beans because it tastes better and there is usually more flavor. It is also less contaminated and smells fresher. When making French press coffee: you need to use coarse ground coffee beans that have been recently roasted. Coarse ground coffee beans prevent over-extraction that makes your coffee bitter and also makes your ground coffee stay at the bottom once you depress with the coffee plunger.
You can purchase ground coffee from a local coffee shop or ask them to grind the coffee beans for you.
Coffee-to-water ratio
The amount of water you use when making French Press coffee can make or break the taste of the resulting brew. The most used ratio is one to two tablespoons of coffee for every six ounces of water, depending on how strong you want your coffee.
Water temperature
The right water temperature for a perfect coffee brew is 202 degrees Fahrenheit. You can achieve this by setting your modern kettle to the coffee setting or letting your water sit for a minute before you pour on the coffee grinds. A kitchen thermometer will also help with the right water temperature.
Brew time
When it comes to brewing coffee using the French Press method, it will depend on how strong you want your coffee. For a strong cup of joe, 4 minutes will do, and 5 minutes will result in a stronger cup of coffee. For a lighter cup of coffee, you can brew for 3 minutes.
Advantages of the Fresh Press Method
The advantages of the French Press method include:
- Freshly brewed coffee that's more flavorful and aromatic than drip-brewed coffee.
- You can make several cups of coffee at once.
- You can add your favorite spice to your coffee grounds.
- You have control over the end result.
- French Press comes in different sizes to choose from.
- You can take it with you anywhere.
Disadvantages of the French Press method
- You need different equipment to boil your water.
- It needs precision to prevent over-extraction or under-extraction.
- Cleaning your French Press can be time-consuming as you need to clean the plunger, the beaker, and the outer shell.
- Coffee grounds, at times, sip into the coffee if the mesh filter doesn't fit snuggly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a French press?
A French press is a coffee brewing apparatus that uses pressure to force hot water through coarsely ground coffee beans. The resultant brew has more flavor and caffeine than other methods, such as drip or percolator.
Why should I use a French press?
The major benefit of using a French press is that it results in a more flavorful and caffeine-rich coffee than when brewed with other methods. Additionally, the heat transfer from the ground coffee to water causes compounds within the beans to break down, increasing antioxidants and flavors.
How do I make coffee in a French Press?
To make a French press coffee, you will need to place coarsely ground beans into the bottom of the press and fill it with hot water. Wait for approximately three to four minutes (the time may vary depending on how strong you want your coffee), then press the plunger and enjoy your freshly brewed cup of joe!
Is French press coffee as good as regular coffee?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as French press coffee's flavor and caffeine content will vary depending on the bean used and how it's prepared. That said, French press coffee delivers a more flavorful and richer brew than traditional drip coffee.
Is it safe to drink French Press coffee?
French Press coffee is generally considered to be safe to consume. However, as with any food or beverage, it's always best practice to speak with a healthcare professional should you have any concerns about its potential health impacts.
Why use a non-metallic spoon when making French Press Coffee?
A plastic or wooden spoon is gentle on the glass, thus preventing accidentally scratching the glass.
Should I use Pre-ground coffee for French Press?
Pre-ground coffee is usually old and stale and causes clogging which makes pushing the plunger hard and thus not great for french presses. If you want a flavorful cup of joe, you should use coarse ground coffee so it can pass through your filter.
Our Key Takeaway
To get your perfect cup of coffee using the French press brewing method, ensure you use freshly ground coffee beans that are mold-free. Use the right water temperature and observe the correct steeping time as it plays a key role in how your cup of coffee will turn out. When done right, there won't be any bitter taste that is common that you may experience with other coffees.
We have the best and freshly roasted coffee that is non-GMO, chemical-free, and mycotoxin free. Our coffee meets the world standards for purity, thus enabling you to enjoy your coffee worry-free.