The French press is a popular way to make coffee. It is a simple method that requires no special expertise or equipment. The easy process consists of filling a French press with ground beans and covering them with hot water. And in a few minutes, a delicious cup of coffee is ready.
A French press is a popular inexpensive way to make great coffee. It’s an excellent option for brewing a strong cup of joe at home. Despite its popularity, many people don’t know the correct way to use this handy device.
What is a French Press?
A French press consists of a beaker, a plunger with a mesh net, and a lid attached to the plunger. The French press makes coffee using an immersion method rather than the drip method like traditional coffee pots. Quite simply, this means the grounds are immersed in the water, soaking up the coffee bean goodness.
A high-end French press is usually made of glass or stainless steel, and lower-end ones are made of plastic. The price range can vary from 30 dollars to over 100 dollars. Whether on the high or low end, they both make an excellent cup of dark, strong coffee.
Steps to Using a French Press
The first step in using a French press is to boil water. While the water is on the stove, grind the beans. It’s important to note here that the beans need a coarse grind. If you prefer to buy already ground beans, look for ones that are labeled for a French press or labeled coarse ground. If the coffee is ground too fine, it will create sandy silt in your mug. The ground coffee needs to be coarse enough to be separated by the mesh plunger.
Next, pour the hot water into the beaker and let it sit. This step is about preheating the beaker just to warm it up. This step is vital as it will help keep the temperature even as the hot coffee and cold beaker will cancel each other out. So don’t forget this critical step. Let the water sit for a minute or two, then dump out and dry the beaker. Now, add the ground beans to the beaker. The amount will depend on the beaker’s size and how strong you like your coffee.
Common French press sizes are 3, 6, 8, and 12 cups. Experts agree it is best to get one that is a little bigger than you think you will use because it’s normal for a little coffee to be left at the bottom of the press. Plus, many companies measure a coffee cup as 4 oz rather than the actual size. The most common size of a French press is a 34 oz which is also called a four-cup French press. For a four-cup French press, use four to five tablespoons of ground coffee. For an 8-cup or a one-liter, use 8-10 tablespoons of ground coffee. It is a good idea to play around with these measurements to get the exact strength of coffee that you prefer. Some experts believe the best ratio is 1 part coffee to 15 parts water. But like most things, taste is subjective, but that’s a good place to start to find the right measurements for your tastebuds.
Now add the measured coffee. Pour hot water over the coffee, put the lid on but don’t plunge yet. Let it sit for three to four minutes. Be sure to have the lid on while you wait, as it will keep the coffee hot. After four minutes, slowly press down the plunger and serve. Be careful to plunge slowly. If you press too fast or too hard, the coffee will shoot out, making a hot mess of your countertops.
Tips for Success
- Do not pour boiling water on the grounds. The water should be hot but not boiling as it can scald the beans.
- Do not let coffee sit too long in the French press. It can become bitter. If not serving right away, then pour in a coffee carafe.
- Do experiment with coffee measurements and time seeping to find the exact flavor and strength for you.
- Do use a medium to dark roast for best results with a French press.
How to Serve
French press coffee can be served in any mug, but a thicker mug works excellent since the coffee is very hot. Whether you fill clay mugs or to-go mugs, it is always delicious. Be sure to add your preferred milk and sugar to make it just the way you like it.
What Drinks Can a French Press Make?
A French press is versatile and can make any coffee variation. From a latte to a cappuccino to a chai, a French press has you covered.
However, a French press is not just for coffee. The mesh plunger can also separate loose teas. Use the same instructions for making coffee. Just replace the coffee with your favorite loose tea.
Creative Ways to Use a French Press
Besides coffee and tea, there are many other creative ways to use a French press.
- Whipped cream. Fill the beaker with heavy cream and plunge up and down quickly a few times and make a homemade whipped cream.
- Cocktails. A French press can mash or muddle cocktail ingredients. It is easy to make traditional cocktails and even experiment with ingredients to make a signature cocktail.
- Juice berries. Use a French press to press berries as a topping on your favorite ice cream or other desserts.
- Froth milk. Pour your preferred milk in the beaker and plunge several times vigorously to froth milk for a delicious cappuccino.
- Rinse and separate grains. Some opt to use the French press to clean and separate grains like quinoa. Fill the beaker with grains and water plunge up and down a few times to clean the grains, then plunge all the way down to separate the grains.
These are just a few of the ways to get creative with this versatile and inexpensive kitchen item.
How to Clean a French Press
Whichever way you choose to use your French press, it needs to be cleaned after every use. The best way to clean a French press is to fill it with lukewarm water and a few drops of dish soap. Then, put on the lid, plunge it up and down a few times, and then rinse with clean water. A French press can air dry with the plunger and beaker separated.
Whether you use your French press to make a steaming mug of java or a frothy dessert, a French press is a fantastic addition to every kitchen.
