How to Make Fantastic Tasting French Pressed Coffee

A fantastic cup of French pressed coffee is the result of superior ingredients and technique.

For coffee connoisseurs, French pressed coffee tastes better than coffee made in a standard coffee maker. With a French press, you can precisely control the temperature of the water and the amount of time the coffee brews. To produce fantastic tasting coffee, pay special attention to the quality of the water and coffee and measure the ingredients precisely.

Things You'll Need

• Water, preferably bottled or filtered
• Whole bean coffee
• Coffee grinder
• Tablespoon
• Wooden spoon or chopstick

Instructions

1. Boil water - 6 oz. for each cup of coffee you want to make. Cold bottled or filtered water produces better coffee than tap water. Set the water aside to cool off slightly.

2. Remove the plunger unit of the French press.

3. Grind the beans. Freshly ground coffee produces a better-tasting cup of coffee that gas already been ground. To avoid your grounds getting clogged in the filter, coarsely grind the beans.

4. Measure out 2 tbsp. of grounds for every cup of coffee you are making. Place the grounds in the French press.

5. Add the hot water. As you pour the water, change the position of the pot so that all of the coffee grounds get saturated.

6. Stir the mixture quickly and briefly with a wooden spoon or chopstick. Six or eight stirs will adequately mix the coffee.

7. Put the plunger unit, with the filter attached, on top of the French press. Wait four minutes while the coffee steeps.

8. Depress the plunger slowly. If you move too quickly, the plunger will not descend evenly, and grounds will wind up in the coffee. Your coffee is ready to be enjoyed.

Tips & Warnings

• If you like weaker coffee, you can reduce the amount of grounds to 1 tbsp. per 6 oz. of water.

References

• National Coffee Association of the USA: How to Brew Coffee
• Coffee Geek; How to Use a Press Pot; Mark Prince; November 2003
• Espresso Planet: Bodum French Press Instructions Manual