Coffee connoisseurs are eager to find innovative ways to prepare their coffee. One such method is the French press, a method for brewing coffee quickly and easily , while separating the coffee grounds. At first glance, you might see only an inconspicuous jug with a strainer and a plunger, but this device can work true miracles. In this article, you'll learn how to brew coffee in a French press , what ingredients are needed, and what to consider when choosing the right machine.

What is French Press?

Before explaining how to use a French press , we'll provide some basic information about this tool. Its invention is believed to have occurred in France in the late 19th century, but it was patented in 1929 by Italian Atillo Calimani. The French press goes by various names—you might hear terms like French press, cafeteria, or coffee press. In the case of this device, the terminology is more complex than its construction. The most important components of a French press are:

• a cylinder that can be made of e.g. glass or metal,
• piston,
• fine strainer,
• lid.

If you decide to buy this type of brewer, you should ensure the quality of its components . A plunger made of low-quality materials can emit an unpleasant odor or accumulate sediment, which negatively impacts the quality of the brewed coffee. Also pay attention to the strainer used – it should be very fine and fit tightly against the walls of the vessel. This will prevent coffee grounds from getting into the actual brew .

What do you need to brew coffee in a French Press?

Compared to other coffee brewing methods, French Press requires proper, though not overly complicated, preparation . Proponents of this method of creating coffee specialties use:

• coffee pots with a plunger, i.e. a French press,
• coffee grinders – if they contain unground beans,
• coffee scales that allow you to measure the correct amount of coffee,
• dosing spoons,
• water filters,
• timekeeping tools, e.g. stopwatches.

Good equipment is only half the battle. The other is high-quality ingredients from which the drink is made. What coffee is best for a French press ? It's definitely worth investing in coffee beans from a reputable source. However, if you only have ground coffee on hand, you need to remember a basic rule: For a French press, use only coarsely ground coffee , preferably with a grainy texture like sand or salt. This will prevent the filter from clogging and sediment from entering the brew. This could also affect the flavor, making it unbearably bitter and sour.

Another important aspect to consider for successful French press coffee brewing is the water. Make sure it's fresh and thoroughly filtered . It shouldn't be overly mineralized, as this can hinder the extraction of the coffee's flavor notes. Some French press users use bottled water to ensure its quality.

French Press Coffee Recipe

Many people wonder how to brew coffee in a French press. The details of each type of coffee will vary, but the general procedure is convenient and simple . We've outlined it in the following sections:

• bring the filtered water to a temperature between 88 and 96 degrees Celsius,
• remove the lid with the plunger from the brewer,
• Pour some water into the French Press to warm it up ,
• pour out the water and place the ground coffee in the press,
• pour a small amount of water over the coffee to cover the ground particles and mix; mix and wait about half a minute,
• add as much water as you want the infusion to be and stir several times,
• put on the lid with the plunger, but do not press the grounds yet – let the coffee brew for 3 minutes,
• remove the lid, collect the sediment that has formed on the water surface, put the upper part of the French Press back on and wait another 4 minutes,
• After this time , slowly and steadily lower the plunger to separate the resulting beverage from the coffee grounds.

After presenting the recipe for delicious French press coffee, it is necessary to dispel a few doubts that may have arisen at this time.

How much coffee should I put in?

Coffee makers of various capacities are available on the market. How do you know how many grams of coffee to use in a French press? The most common ratio is 60 grams of coffee to 1 liter of water . The scale mentioned earlier will be useful for measuring these values. If this is your first experience with a French press, follow this guide and only then start experimenting.

How long does it take to brew coffee in a French Press?

Besides how to brew coffee in a French press, it's also important to know how long to brew it. The entire process takes about 10 minutes , while the extraction itself usually takes 4 to 8 minutes. Monitor the brewing time in your French press with a stopwatch to ensure everything is done correctly.

How is French Press different from other coffee brewing methods?

There are various ways to brew coffee , and each usually has its proponents and detractors. Alternative brewing methods differ from standard methods, and brewing coffee in a French press is no exception. The fundamental characteristic of a brew prepared in a French press, which distinguishes it from those obtained by other methods, is its roughness and unique flavor . It's not the most delicate beverage, but it's precisely this character that many coffee lovers appreciate. Much also depends on the coffee beans you use. Below, we've presented some tips on which coffee beans are best for a French press .

Which coffee beans should I choose for French Press?

Choosing coffee beans for a French press depends primarily on your preferences. Both lighter and darker roasted specialty coffee beans are suitable, as guaranteed by the renowned LaCava coffee roaster . Single-origin Arabica beans, meaning those grown in a specific country or region, are most often used for French pressing . The coffee should be fresh and well-stored to maximize flavor and aroma.

Advantages of the French Press

French Press is a brewing method that has many advantages . These include:

• clear separation of grounds from the brew,
• the characteristic, rough taste of the resulting coffee,
• simple procedure and uncomplicated mechanism,
• versatility,
• quite high speed of the process,
• possibility of making tea and various fruit drinks.

Summary

You now know how to brew coffee in a French press and what it involves. To fully enjoy delicious French press coffee specialties, you need to ensure the quality of both the ingredients and the equipment. LaCava offers high-quality French press coffee makers from renowned brands, perfect for your kitchen. We also offer a selection of various excellent coffee beans. We invite you to order and continue reading our blog, where you can learn, for example, whether coffee is healthy .