French Press Coffee: A Guide to Press Like the Best
For today's post, I wanted to share my favorite way to drink coffee every morning. In my previous blog posts, I've shared specialty coffee recipes where coffee is just one of the many ingredients, meaning that coffee takes a back seat to the other ingredients. I wanted to share something simple that anyone can enjoy — French press coffee.
French press coffee is probably still the most common method of brewing coffee at home. French press coffee is bold and heavy, yet it has its own smooth elegance. As with any brewing method, the devil is in the details. The plus side — it only takes a few minutes to prepare.
The trick with a French press is determination and a patient touch. The associated "sludge" or escaped coffee granules that can haunt the bottom of the coffee cup is often a sign of overground coffee and poor brewing technique. I created a video to make this process a bit easier.
I hope you enjoy!
What you will need:
- 1 French Press
- 22g (3/4 oz) Coffee beans
- 330ml (11 fl oz) Water
- 1 Scale (optional)
- 1 Kettle (optional)
Directions:
- Preheat French press with hot water. Set to the side.
- Measure 22 g (3/4 oz) whole coffee beans.
- Grind on a coarse grind setting. Alternately, buy coarse ground coffee.
- Add ground coffee to the French press.
- Pour in a little hot water (enough to cover the beans) and stir.
- Allow the coffee to bloom for 30 seconds.
- Add the remaining 330mL (11 fl oz) of hot water. 200°F water works best.
- Place the lid on top and allow to brew for 5-6 minutes.
- Gently lower the filter.
- Once the filter is completely depressed, serve.
- Leave a little water in the French press to avoid coffee granules.
- Add creamer if desired.
- Enjoy!
I love the fact that you show how you like to drink it. I guess I haven't been properly introduced to coffee, which is why I have never acquired a taste for it. With your directions and the video that attracts me, I will give it another shot, doing it your way.
ReplyDeleteI think the flavor of coffee is definitely an acquired taste. I'm glad to hear that you are giving coffee another shot!
DeleteI enjoy coffee, but I have never attempted to make an espresso drink at home. However, I would like to try it sometime. I like that you included instructions along with a narrative video showing how you make it, especially for people like me who have never tried making one at home before.
DeleteLacey, great informational/instructional video blog on press coffee! I love coffee but find I am too lazy or rushed in the mornings for this approach. I had good friends that got hooked on press coffee during camping trips. I think your photos are good and always leave me looking for a cup of java! Thanks for sharing your post!
DeleteHi Lacey, I love the video that you created so much! It is easy to understand and follow along. My dad loves French press coffee, but I never try the French press coffee before because I think it is a little bitter for me, I like my coffee sweet. However, after looking at the video and read your blog about the French press coffee, I am going to give it a try. I love reading your blog and looking forward to your next blog.
ReplyDeleteI do love the taste of French press coffee. However, since we get the espresso machine, we stop using the French press coffee. Watching this video making me reminisce my French press coffee time, the coarse ground coffee, the hot water, the stirring, and the timer! May be I should take my French press coffee out again.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness...we've talked about my awful sludge-y french press coffee, but I still had no idea how much I was doing wrong. This explains a lot. Thank you for both the how-to video and written-out instructions. I've been pouring finely-ground coffee into a cold french press, dumping in boiling water from the stove until it's full, pushing the filter down, and pouring it all out. I tried it your way just now and I am now drinking my coffee in a separate dimension. A million times thank you.
ReplyDeleteI was just recently looking into what type of coffee maker I should get for my apartment and I was leaning towards a french press! Many of my friends had suggested the same, but I had been afraid to purchase one because I had no idea what I was getting into. So, thank you so much for sharing; I'm going to go buy that french press now, haha!
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm so glad you're going to buy a french press! You won't regret it!
DeleteLacey, I love coffee, but I have never attempted to make a french press coffee at home. I always go for the easy way and just make an instant coffee. I really love how you included the video as a part of your blog—looking forward to the next blog post!
ReplyDeleteHi Lacey,
ReplyDeleteEven though I am not a coffee savor myself, I absolutely enjoy the smell and aroma of coffee grounds in the morning. My girlfriend absolutely loves coffee and drinks it practically 2-3 times a day! I would love to share your favorite drink with her and maybe make it for her in the morning. I cannot wait to read your next post and what you have in store for us!
It sounds like your girlfriend and I have a lot in common! Lol. I definitely agree that coffee can/should be drank multiple times a day!
Delete