How to Make French Press Coffee

A French press is cylindrical glass urn fitted with a filter plate on a plunger. You put the grounds in the bottom of the urn, add hot water, let the coffee sit a few minutes, and then press the plunger down, separating the coffee from the grounds. Many aficionados believe the French press produces a far richer coffee flavor than the traditional drip method.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• coffees
• French press
• coffee grinders
• teakettles
• Coffees
• Coffee Grinders
• French Press
• Teakettles

1. Boil as much water needed for the amount of coffee you want to make.

2. Grind coffee beans, if necessary.

3. Preheat French press by filling it with warm water from faucet.

4. Allow boiled water to rest for a few minutes to cool to optimum temperature (195 to 205 degrees F).

5. 

   Pour warm water out of press and add ground coffee. Use two level tablespoons per six ounces of water.

6. 

   Pour just enough hot water over grounds to wet them. Fresh coffee will expand as gas escapes.

7. Pour in remaining water and stir.

8. 

   Place the plunger over the press to keep the heat in, but don't press it down yet.

9. Let the coffee brew for three to four minutes.

10. Push plunger down slowly.

11. 

    Pour and drink the coffee.

Tips & Warnings

• Use coarsely ground coffee for a French press.
• Use bottled or filtered water if your tap water is hard or has an unpleasant taste.
• Don't use less coffee than called for: using too little coffee can result in overextraction of the beans, producing a bitter taste. If you like a weaker brew, add hot water or milk to the coffee after you've brewed it.

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[randomizer]

on 7/4/2009 Yes it certainly is. I drink my press coffee with cream and splenda.

[dlnorton]

on 5/19/2009 I like a good French Pressed coffee. I've experimented with many grinds, and I found that a mostly course ground works best, though I have to give credit for the finely ground method, it does make it extra smooth and less bitter. I like my coffee strong in flavor or what I would call "European style". My favorite coffees are the "bolds" like Italian and Colombian Supremo Roasts, though I'm not that crazy about the French Roasts, too "earthy" for my taste. Also the indicator that you made a good cup of coffee is that a good coffee will foam on it's own, even with the French Press method as well as fresh made Espresso.

[tamirene]

on 4/2/2009 I tried this french press coffee, and I'm lovin it!I have seen them in the stores, but was always intimidated by them, I made up my mind after reading this article.Thanks a bunch fellow coffee drinkers!

[neverbad524]

on 4/1/2009 I actually go against conventional wisdom with my French press coffee. I go with an extremely fine grind, almost "Turkish coffee," fine. It basically makes coffee powder instead of coffee grounds. You don't let the coffee brew nearly as long this way, maybe 30 seconds, tops. It produces an extremely flavorful, non-bitter coffee. You do get a very little of the "coffee powder" in your coffee, but it seems to pretty much settle on the bottom, and doesn't taste unpleasant like grounds do, anyway. I also use a Zassenhaus conical burr hand mill. The grinder is, in my opinion, the most important part of coffee making. The "whirly-blade," type electric grinders give a very inconsistent grind, and can cause some grounds to over-extract, and some to under-extract, thereby causing flavorless, bitter coffee. Hope this advice is helpful to someone out there...

[sadears]

on 12/28/2008 I drink regular coffee with milk/creamer and sweetener. Is it appropriate for French press coffee?