French Press

When it comes to coffee, the French Press might very well be the most popular method of making homemade coffee outside of drip. Learning to use a French Press is like learning to ride a bike without the training wheels; you’re not going to be bunny hoping or popping any wheelies yet, but it’s the first step to mastery. With that said, do not underestimate its power in crafting a wonderful cup of coffee. If done correctly, the French Press will be a go-to weapon in your coffee arsenal for years to come. Let’s dive in, shall we?

First Things First
What is it? It’s simply a container with a mesh screen disk sealing the entire circumference of the container, serving as a barrier to divide the container into two sections, attached to a rod that can be pushed from above the lid. The mesh screen is a filter designed to separate the coffee bean particles from the liquid coffee. 

The Immaculate Conception
There is a great debate between Italians and the French over who is the rightful creator of this device. According to the French, legend has it that in the 1850s, a Frenchman was boiling water in a pot over an open fire and realized he had forgotten to add the coffee grounds. When he threw them in, they floated to the surface. In order to remove the coffee grounds from the liquid, he used a metal screen that he had purchased from a merchant and pushed it to the bottom of the pot with a stick. To his surprise, the resulting cup of coffee was the best cup he had ever had. 

Cafetiere by Mayer and Delforge, 1852

Brain Blast
The first known patent of the French Press came in 1852, when Mayer and Delforge, two Frenchmen, came up with a crude design for a container to filter coffee. It wasn’t until 1928 that a more modern version of the French Press was patented by Attilio Calimani and Giulio Moneta, two Italians. However, the French Press we know today was patented in 1958 by Swiss man Faliero Bondanini. Manufactured in France, the device was known as a “Chambord”, eventually going through a mutation of names as it spread across the world until finally settling as the French Press (in the US anyway). 

Heads Up
Don’t let the French Press’s simplicity distract you from its versatility. Since you can control the temperature, brew time, and grind, there is a lot of variation that can be had in the process, making it fun to experiment with. The most important thing to note is that if done correctly, this brewing method will highlight the more nuanced aroma and flavor profiles of the specific coffee you are brewing. It will be full bodied and have an increased texture from the oils that are able to be transferred from the beans and into the liquid. 

Fool Proof Guide

Step 1
Grind the beans at a coarse setting. Many times, the grinder will have a specific setting for French Press due to its popularity. If the grind is too fine, it will simply pass through the filter.

Step 2
With the filter removed, add the coffee grind to the French Press container. Using 15 grams of ground coffee per 225 grams of water is a common ratio, but the amount can be adjusted for personal preference. Don’t worry too much about getting it perfect. If it’s your first time, just add a couple scoops of coffee and fill the rest of the container with water, leaving space for the filter and lid. Based on the result, adjust the amount of ground coffee your next time.

Step 3
Boil water and then let it sit for 45-60 seconds before pouring. If you’re using an electric kettle, 90 degrees Fahrenheit is the temperature you’re looking for. Slowly pour a little bit of the water into the container, making sure to hit all of the grounds. Gently stir, wait 30 seconds, and then add the rest. Cover the container with the lid and plunger.

Step 4
Set your timer. Recommended brewing times range from 3 to 5 minutes, so split the difference and start with 4 minutes. Note that typically, the darker the roast, the less time required for brewing.

Step 5
Slowly press the plunger down and there you have it! You can pour yourself a spectacular cup of Joe! You can throw away the residual coffee grounds.
Pro Tip: Pour the entirety of the coffee into a separate container if you will not be drinking it all at once to avoid over-saturating the rest of your coffee.

Don’t Forget