How to Make the Perfect Cup of French Press Coffee

People are fanatics about coffee and coffee equipment. Among my friends, we have a healthy debate going over the best way to make the perfect cup of coffee. A French Press certainly makes robust, multi-dimensional coffee.

If used properly, a French Press coffee maker offers a perfect cup of coffee. As opposed to a drip coffee maker, a French Press coffee maker allows the coffee itself to be in contact with the coffee grounds for a longer period of time. Because the coffee and the coffee grounds remain in contact longer, and because the natural coffee oils are not filtered by paper, French Press coffee makers produce a thicker and more robust cup of coffee. So no more expensive coffee house visits needed, here's how to make the perfect cup of French Press coffee at home.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fair-trade whole bean coffee
• Conical burr grinder
• Stove top or electric teakettle
• Freshly filtered water
• Coffee scoop or measuring spoon
• French Press coffee maker

1. 
    

   Prepare the Water
   Boil freshly filtered, high quality water in either an electric teakettle or a stove top teakettle. It's important to boil the water first, before grinding the coffee beans. The 30 seconds it takes to grind the coffee beans gives the water time to cool down to the optimal French Press coffee brewing temperature (between 190 and 210 degrees F). This temperature will extract the most flavor from the coffee beans and prevent boiling water from scalding the coffee.

2. 
    

   Prime the French Press Coffee Maker
   As the water boils, remove the lid and plunger from the coffee maker and pour hot water into the French Press. Swirl the hot water around the coffee maker and then discard the water. This priming process is important because it warms the French Press and helps keep your coffee hotter longer.

3. 
    

   Grind the Coffee
   Select your favorite fair-trade, freshly roasted, whole bean coffee. Set your conical burr grinder to produce coarsely ground coffee. A coarse, uniform grind is ideal because it ensures the mesh screen will properly filter the coffee grounds and separate them from the coffee itself. Grinding your beans to the correct consistency will eliminate 'coffee sludge' - the most common complaint about French Press coffee.

4. 
    

   Measure the Coffee
   The quantity of coffee used is a personal preference. To brew a robust but not overly strong cup of coffee, start with two level tablespoons of ground coffee for every six ounces of water. The strength of your coffee will depend not only on the amount of grounds used but also on the brewing time. Experiment until you determine the exact ratio of water/ground coffee/brew time that delivers your perfect cup of French Press coffee.

5. 
    

   Make the Coffee
   Put fresh coffee grounds into the bottom of the French Press coffee maker. Slowly pour hot water directly into the French Press over the coffee grounds; pour in a circular manner to douse the grounds consistently. Continue filling the French Press to the desired level. This is a personal choice - again, the amount of water determines the quantity and strength of your coffee, so experiment.
   
   Most of the grounds will float unevenly. Gently stir the grounds so they sink back into the coffee, ensuring an optimal extraction. Replace the lid and plunger back onto the French Press, to the point of just dipping into the brewing coffee. Allow the coffee to steep for 3 to 5 minutes depending on personal coffee strength preference.
   
   After the coffee has steeped, grasp the lid and slowly press the plunger in a steady, controlled manner, allowing the mesh filter to push the grounds to the bottom and separate the coffee from the grounds. While doing this, keep the plunger rod straight so coffee grounds don't escape from beneath the filter and ruin your brew. Wait 30 seconds to allow the sediment to settle.

6. 
    

   Enjoy the Perfect Cup of French Press Coffee
   Rotate the lid to align the opening with the pour spout. Pour your perfect cup of French Press coffee into your favorite coffee mug and savor the flavor. Voilà!

Tips & Warnings

• Enjoy your French Press coffee immediately, while at the peak of flavor.
• Alternatively, pour your coffee into another container so it doesn't continue to brew and become bitter.
• Prior to drinking your coffee, warm your mug by filling it with hot water and then pouring it out. This will keep your coffee hot longer.
• French Press coffee makers are ideal for camping and traveling because they are compact and lightweight.

Resources

• What's Cooking America?

[charlotteh]

on 11/29/2009 Langley you sure know how to have me in awh with your tips. Thanks so much for sharing this as I am a big fan of coffee myself :-)

[ViktoryaHale]

on 11/18/2009 Mmm did someone say coffee :) with French vanilla creamora right?

[vincesummers]

on 10/15/2009 Must be strong stuff, but I really appreciated your remark about the coffee oils not being absorbed by paper. Since the coffee oils are really (in my way of thinking) the best part of coffee, I will have to try a cup of French Press!

[respite]

on 10/8/2009 5* article. I love my French Press coffee maker and also have one for tea.

[joycetmann]

on 9/17/2009 I love my morning coffee. I need to try the French Press coffee method. Thanks! 5*