French Press Coffee - a pictorial

There has been intermittent discussion around here regarding taking the dive into French press coffee, and on a couple occasions hesitance due to it's perceived complexity. It truly is not a hard or arduous process, and I'm a steadfast believer that it is worth investing the money, time and energy, because it turns out such a superior cup of joe to Keurig or simple drip coffee.

Here is a quick pictorial of how to go about making a proper press.

What you'll need:
- a French press. I really enjoy this one that we have at work. Large and sturdy without being too clunky: LINK
- coffee grinds
- electric kettle or regular tea pot

Step 1 / heat your water to between 195-200 degrees. I've found any lower and the coffee gets cold too quickly, and any hotter and you end up extracting too many oils from the beans resulting in a more bitter flavor - and if you go to almost boiling (212 degrees @ sea level) you end up with a grease slick on top of your coffee. At work we have a handy electric kettle with a temp gauge. I let mine get past 200 then cut it off and wait for it to cool down.


Step 2 / Prepare your grinds. Best thing to do is swing by a local coffee shop, pick out whichever roast you want, and have them grind the whole beans for a French press. Meaning, you are looking for a more powdery consistency than normal. Like this:


Measure out your grinds. I use 8 heaping spoonfuls for this particular size press. Play around with the amount of grinds until you find what your preferred level of strength is. Best thing to do is to write down each time you use a different amount and then make a note on how it tasted. Then you'll know to increase or decrease your grinds. Add grinds to the bottom of dry, clean carafe then add a pinch of salt (something a British friend taught me .. really helps to enhance the natural flavor of the beans).


Step 3 / Now time to add the water (once it's cooled to around 197). Pour it in quickly as to submerge all the grinds, filling the carafe almost to the top.




Step 4 / Immediately add the lid, making sure that the filter plunger is in the up position.


Let steep for 4-5 minutes, for this size press. 2-3 minutes for a smaller one.


Step 5 / Press down slowly on the plunger, until the grinds are pressed all the way to the bottom of the carafe with the filter now blocking them from the liquid.

Press down SLOW


Halfway there ... nice and steady


All the way down


Ready to drink.


Share the rest with co-workers, family or friends.