French Press: Simple Yet Refined, Bold & Unforgettable

What is French Press?

The French Press, if understood by the name of a brewing tool. It is a French-style coffee maker consisting of a glass or metal container, a plunger, and several metal mesh filters. Interestingly, despite its name, this cafetiere is quite hard to find in France, where people prefer other coffee makers.

If understood by the name of brewing method, is an immersion method. With most coffee brewing methods, water flows through the coffee grounds. However, in this method, water and coffee grounds steep together, allowing a more uniform extraction.

French Press is most prevalent in Northern Europe, North America, and Australia, where it seems to embody an "Anglo-Saxon" charm. The name of this coffee maker varies across the world:

• UK and Ireland, it is known as a cafetiere

• North America, it is called a Coffee Press

• Australia, it's referred to as a Plunger

• Germany, it goes by the names Kaffeebereiter or französische Presse.

History of French Press

In 1852, two Frenchmen, a tinsmith and a merchant, Henri-Otto Mayer and Jacques-Victor Delforge, filed a patent for the earliest version of the French Press. However, this design did not include a watertight seal around the filter disk. Throughout the decades, it has seen many improvements, and its popularity has grown worldwide.

Why Use the French Press Method?

• Bold and Authentic Flavor: This method does not use paper filters, allowing oils and other rich flavors from the coffee beans to remain in the brew, resulting in a more robust cup.

• Ease of Use: Although it looks classic, the brewing process is simple. Making it ideal for beginners.

• Versatility: ou can adjust the grind size, steeping time, and coffee-to-water ratio. These adjustments allows you to make a cup of coffee that suits your taste.

Evaluating the Final Product

French Press coffee yields a bolder cup than paper-filter methods, retaining the distinctive flavors of the coffee beans. When you brew the coffee properly, it will have a pleasing color and a lasting aftertaste.

However, because of some coffee grounds, it may have a slightly gritty texture and a touch of bitterness.

How To Brew a Three-Cup French Press (SCA Guidelines)

Total Time Needed: 5 minutes

Required Tools:

- French Press Size: Three Cup (22-ounce)

- Grinder

- Gram scale

- Timer

- Scoops

- Thermometer

- Gooseneck kettle

Things Needed?

- Coffee: 36 grams, medium-coarse grind

- Water: 660 grams or ml at 200°F / 93.5°C for brewing. Additional hot water at 200°F / 93.5°C for preheating

Steps to Brew a Three-Cup French Press

Step 1 : Preheat

Fill the carafe with hot water to preheat, then discard the water.

Step 2 : Add Coffee

Place 36 grams of coffee into the carafe. Put it on the scale and tare the scale.

Step 3 : Pour Hot Water

Start the timer and pour 540 grams of hot water into the carafe, ensuring all the coffee grounds are thoroughly saturated.

Step 4 : Place Lid

Put the lid on the pot without pressing down the plunger.

Step 5: Stir Coffee

After 2 minutes, remove the lid and gently stir the coffee to ensure all grounds are saturated. Add the remaining 120 grams of hot water.

Step 6: Skim Surface

Use two spoons to skim off the oils and any floating grounds from the top of the brew. This will produce a cleaner cup and stop further extraction. Replace the lid without pressing down the plunger.

Step 7: Press Plunger

At the 4-minute mark, slowly press the plunger down to the bottom of the pot.

Step 8: Serve

Decant the coffee and enjoy your brew!

The Ultimate French Press Technique From James Hoffmann

Limitations of the French Press Method

• Coffee Grounds: some fine coffee grounds may end up in your cup because there is no paper filter.

• Requires More Technique: you should consider various factors like grind size, water temperature, and steeping time to achieve a perfect cup

• Waiting Time: The French Press brewing process requires a minimum of 4 minutes of steeping time. This making it less ideal for those who need their coffee quickly.

Conclusion

The French Press brewing method provides an exciting experience for coffee lovers who enjoy bold flavors and a manual brewing process. Although it requires some skill and patience, the result is truly satisfied.

Probably it is the most underrated method of brewing coffee. But it is cheap, easy, repeatable, and everyone has one at home. With practice and exploration, you'll find that brewing with a French Press is both an art and a simple pleasure in everyday life.