There’s always a right way and a wrong way to brew coffee using a certain method, and this doesn’t exclude French Press. French Press is a very popular brewing method throughout the world because it can provide a more robust and full bodied flavor than other brew methods. There’s a science to this truth – the fact is the coffee grinds remain in contact with the hot water for a longer period of time, allowing more of the oils and flavors of the coffee to be absorbed into the water. French Presses are also popular for their small and transportable/storable size and their affordability.
If you’re new to brewing with a French Press maker, or simply want to improve your cup, here’s a quick and easy guide to follow. Guaranteed to provide a perfect cup every time!
To Make 3 Cups: Use 13oz of water and 26g of coffee
To Make 4 Cups: Use 17oz of water and 34g of coffee
To Make 8 Cups: Use 33oz of water and 66g of coffee
- Remove all plunger pieces and inspect for old coffee fines and oils. Remove any remnants.
- Boil your water. Remember to boil a little more than your needed amount to use for pre-heating the press.
- Weigh your coffee before grinding. Use the reference at the top of this guide in accordance with how many cups you would like to brew.
- After water has boiled, pour a little into your press and your coffee cups to pre-heat them.
- Pour pre-heating water out, then promptly place the French press on the scale. Be sure to zero out the scale.
- Grind the coffee of your choice, and add to the press. Check to make sure your ground coffee matches the exact ratio needed. Zero the scale again.
- Set your timer for 4 minutes and slowly pour your hot water into the press. Be sure to completely saturate the grounds, and monitor the scale to ensure you obtain the correct coffee to water ratio.
About 10 seconds before your brew is finished you’ll want to break the crust and skim off remaining floating coffee grounds.
Now place the plunger at the top of the press and slowly press down. Do not plunge down to quickly or coffee is liable to spill out of the top of the press. Be sure to press the grinds all the way to the bottom with the plunger.
Pour and serve coffee immediately, as the longer it sits in the press, the more burnt it will taste.
