You’ve probably heard of the French press, also known as a French coffee maker or plunger coffee maker. It is one of the most popular methods to prepare coffee at home.
The French press is a simple and effective device for preparing excellent filter coffee. It consists of two main parts: a container and a plunger-shaped metal filter. It uses a total immersion filtering method, which means it completely submerges the coffee in hot water, for a set time, to extract all its aromas and flavours.
Brewing coffee in a French press is one of the easiest ways to enjoy delicious coffee at home. Preparation is simple (although we can also experiment with different recipes to create unique flavour profiles!) and the result is usually a coffee with a good body and greater texture compared to other methods. Let’s know How to make a good French press coffee?
History of the French Press
It’s not clear where this filtering method came from exactly, but one of the most common and accepted stories in popular culture helps us figure it out.
As with most great discoveries, it is the product of an accident. The story is told of a French peasant in the mid-19th century, who always carried a jug with him to prepare coffee. At that time, it was common to boil water together with ground coffee to obtain a revitalizing drink, although the result was usually bitter and not very tasty.
The farmer forgot to put the coffee grounds into the hot water one day. He didn’t do it again; instead, he took the jug off the heat and added the coffee right to the water that was boiling. Right away, foam started to form, and the coffee sat on top of it. So that the drink wouldn’t go to waste, the farmer tied a metal mesh to a stick and made a filter. Putting pressure on this part of the coffee pushed it to the bottom of the jar. The farmer was shocked that this was the best coffee he had ever had.
Invention of the French press
In 1852, the first mention of a machine that looked a lot like the plunger coffee maker we use today was made. The idea was invented by Mayer and Delforge, two Frenchmen, and they called it “La Cafetiere.”
It’s not clear where this method came from, but one of the most common stories goes back to around 1850. It’s about a French farmer who went for a walk every day with a coffee jug on his back. Back then, coffee wasn’t very tasty because it was made by boiling water with ground coffee. The result was a very bitter drink that made me feel better.
They say that the farmer heated the water one day but forgot to add the coffee. Because he knew what was going on, he took the jug off the heat and poured the coffee grounds right into the hot water. Right away, foam formed, and the coffee sat on top of the foam. The man used a metal mesh and a stick to push his coffee to the bottom of the container so that he wouldn’t lose it. He said it was the best coffee he had ever had.
After many years, in 1928, Attilio Calimani and Giulio Moneta, two Italians, filed for another invention for a device that was very similar to the first one. From then on, other designers filed patents for similar models, trying to make the design better but not adding much.
That same year, thirty years later, Faliero Bondanini invented a model that was easier for more people to get. This design quickly became famous, and it’s still the most common one today.
The French press coffee maker became well-known and used by many people because it was easy to find and use, and it made good coffee.
The Chambord is the most well-known type. A French company was the first to sell it in Europe, and Bodum later bought it. This well-known Danish company marketed the Chambord Original model and got it to be as famous as possible all over the world. It still has the patents for that model.
Why French press coffee is bad for you?
French press coffee can potentially be harmful due to the presence of compounds like cafestol, which can raise LDL cholesterol levels. Unlike filtered coffee, French press coffee retains more of these oils, increasing the risk for individuals with cholesterol concerns. However, by using a coarser grind, limiting consumption, or considering additional filtration methods, you can mitigate some of these risks. Moderation and monitoring cholesterol levels are essential for those enjoying French press coffee as part of their diet.
Why is French press coffee so much better?
Many people think that French press coffee is better because it is easier to make and gets more taste from the coffee grounds. The French press is different from other ways of making coffee because it lets you use full immersion brewing, which means that the coffee grounds are soaked directly in hot water. This method gets oils and soluble substances out of the coffee beans, making a strong, flavorful drink with a thick texture.
Also, because French press coffee doesn’t use a paper filter, more of the natural oils and small bits from the coffee beans stay in the cup. These oils add to the smell of the coffee and make it taste better overall, giving you a more detailed and complex flavour experience.
One more thing that makes the French press great is that it lets users change things like the water temperature, the steeping time, and the size of the coffee grounds to make any coffee they want. The French press is a favourite among coffee lovers all over the world because it can be used for many different things and makes regularly high-quality coffee.
What are the variables for preparing a French press?
The French press is a total immersion extraction method. That is, the coffee and water are in constant contact for a certain time. Then, it is filtered through a metal mesh.
In this method, the variables that control the extraction are:
- The water’s temperature
- Infusion time
- Grind size
Higher water temperatures accelerate extraction, while lower temperatures slow it. Our coffee will also affect the temperature. With light roast coffee, use a higher temperature, but with dark roast, reduce it. Between 90° and 95° is typical.
Our desired drink extraction will depend on infusion time. Beyond a certain solubility in water, coffee has no more characteristics to extract. To avoid flat and bitter flavours, avoid over-extraction, which will dominate the acidity, sweetness, and descriptors (tasting notes) from previous extraction phases.
The preparation time is usually 5–8 minutes, however, it depends on the coffee, grind thickness, and flavour profile.
Grinding defines the coffee-water interface. This affects how easily water extracts coffee. The finer the grind, the larger the contact surface and the faster the extraction.
What is the ideal grind for the French press?
Among users of the French coffee maker, one of the most common problems is that the coffee is left with solid particles and that the plunger gets stuck and is difficult to lower completely. These problems have the same cause: the thickness of the grind. If you are used to buying ground coffee, always choose specialty coffee shops that grind the coffee on the spot, this way you can be sure that it will work well in your preparation method.
The French press filters the coffee through a metal mesh, therefore, if we use a fine grind, a large part of the ground coffee will pass through the filter and mix with the final drink. The grind indicated for the French press is a coarse grind, like table sugar.
French press coffee perfect ratio
The perfect ratio for French press coffee typically ranges from 1:15 to 1:17, coffee to water. However, this ratio can be adjusted based on personal taste preferences. Experiment with different ratios to find the strength and flavour profile that suits you best.
How to prepare coffee in French Press
As we said above, preparing a good coffee with this method is very simple. The only thing we need is a French press, specialty coffee and good-quality water. This recipe is for a generous cup of coffee, you can adjust the quantities to taste.
If we have it, the ideal is to use a scale to weigh everything.
- Weigh 20 g of coffee (or two tablespoons) and grind them with a coarse grind. If we don’t have a grinder we can use already ground coffee, but make sure it is coarsely ground.
- Place the ground coffee in the press glass and pour 300 gr. of water at 95° on top (if we do not have a thermometer we can let it boil and wait about 30” for the temperature to drop).
- Mix with a spoon to ensure that all the coffee is well moistened, place the lid without lowering the plunger and let it infuse for 5 to 6 minutes.
- After a time, press the plunger gently all the way, trying not to agitate the coffee particles.
- Serve everything and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee!
We leave you this video guide to understand all the steps well.
Experimenting with recipes
Start with the prior recipe and make tiny tweaks to suit our tastes. Change one variable at a time to see the differences!
We can look for pre-made recipes to try different ones. For this, use James Hoffman’s method. He mimics French press cupping well.
Three adjustments are needed to the previous recipe:
- Wait 4 minutes after adding water and “break” the coffee crust with a spoon. Remove leftover foam. That foam is made from CO2 released from coffee beans and tastes bad.
- After this, let the infusion rest for 4 additional minutes (8′ total), or longer. As coffee particles sink to the bottom, we get a cleaner drink. Immersion extraction is even but less efficient. Despite the increasing time, over-extraction is harder to cause.
- Lower the plunger with the filter immediately below the liquid after time. To avoid agitating the mixture and preventing sediments from rising. Finish by serving gently.
Both methods make fascinating, complex coffee. We develop our palates and learn by trying new recipes.
Read More: How many cups and tablespoons are in a pound of ground coffee?
How to prepare cold brew in a French press?
Preparing cold brew coffee in a French press is simple and yields delicious results. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Grind your coffee beans: Start by grinding your coffee beans to a coarse consistency. Coarse grounds are preferable for cold brew to prevent over-extraction and bitterness.
- Add coffee grounds to the French press: Transfer the coarse coffee grounds to the French press. A general ratio is around 1 part coffee grounds to 4 parts water, but you can adjust this ratio according to your taste preferences.
- Add cold water: Pour cold or room temperature water over the coffee grounds in the French press. Use filtered water for the best taste.
- Stir: Gently stir the mixture with a spoon to ensure all the coffee grounds are fully saturated with water.
- Place the plunger on top: Place the lid with the plunger on top of the French press, but don’t press it down yet. This will prevent any debris from falling into the coffee while it’s brewing.
- Steep: Leave the French press at room temperature or in the refrigerator to steep for 12 to 24 hours. The longer it steeps, the stronger the cold brew will be. You can experiment with steeping times to find your preferred strength.
- Press and strain: After the steeping period is over, slowly press down the plunger on the French press to separate the coffee grounds from the liquid.
- Serve: Pour the cold brew concentrate into a glass over ice. Cold brew concentrate is strong, so you may want to dilute it with water or milk according to your taste preferences. Add any desired sweeteners or flavourings, and enjoy your homemade cold brew!
- Storage: Store any leftover cold brew concentrate in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Read More: The 7 Best Espresso Machines Under $200 – Our Top Picks
FAQ
1. What’s the recommended coffee-to-water ratio for French press brewing?
A general guideline is to use a ratio of 1 part coffee to 15 parts water. For example, for every 1 gram of coffee, use 15 grams of water. However, you can adjust this ratio to suit your taste preferences.
2. What’s the ideal water temperature for brewing French press coffee?
The optimal water temperature for French press brewing is around 195°F to 205°F (90°C to 96°C). Bringing water to a boil and letting it cool for about 30 seconds achieves this temperature range, ensuring proper extraction without scalding the coffee grounds.
3. How long should I steep French press coffee?
The recommended steeping time for French press coffee is typically between 4 to 6 minutes. However, you can adjust this time based on your desired strength. Experimentation with steeping times allows you to find the perfect balance between flavour extraction and bitterness.
Final Thought: How to make a good French press coffee?
To make a tasty French press coffee, start with coarse coffee beans that have just been ground. Mix 15 parts water with 1 part coffee. Make sure the water is between 195°F and 205°F. After letting it sit for 4 to 6 minutes, slowly press down on the plunger. Pour and enjoy your tasty cup of coffee. You can change things like the grind size and the amount of time it steeps to suit your tastes.
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