There's no denying that a French press makes great coffee. If you're looking for a full-bodied cup of joe, then this is definitely the brewing technique for you.
The French press is a coffee machine that comes with a filter, a cylindrical carafe, and of course, the plunger which helps give this type of coffee its boldness. Here's one of our top picks:
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Unlike drip coffee, the French press uses only moderately hot water. This results in a more gentle extraction of coffee oils, yielding a cup of coffee that is rich and flavorful without being bitter.
And the coffee won’t continue to cook, and become burnt and bitter from sitting on a warming plate.
What Is A French Press Coffee Maker And How Does It Work?
Essentially, a French press is a type of coffee maker that uses a plunger to filter the coffee grounds. To use one, you simply add ground coffee and hot water to the pot, give it a stir, and then let it steep for a few minutes. Next, you simply press down on the plunger to filter the grounds.
Many people don't realize that the key to making a delicious French Press is all in the temperature of the water. Water that is too hot will result in coffee that tastes burnt, while water that is too cold will produce coffee that is under-extracted and flavorless.
The sweet spot for making a perfect cup of French Press coffee is around 200°F - just below the boiling point.
Pros And Cons Of A French Press
There's no denying that a French press makes a delicious cup of coffee. The rich flavor and creamy mouthfeel are unbeatable. This is due to the fact that a French press removes the sediment and extracts more oils than other types of brewing methods. This means that you get all of the flavor and none of the bitterness, making for a truly enjoyable cup of coffee.
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Consider the following aspects while deciding whether it will become your preferred manner of coffee consumption.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Easy to maintain
- Small
- Can use for brewing tea
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Additional equipment is required
- More attention needed to small details
- Must be served immediately
Is French Press Coffee Unhealthy?
Coffee beans contain a type of compound known as diterpenes, which include cafestol and kahweol. These compounds are responsible for giving coffee its distinct flavor, but they can also have some unwanted side effects. For example, cafestol has been shown to raise cholesterol levels, while kahweol may increase the risk of pancreatitis.
However, these effects are only seen when coffee is consumed in large quantities, so there's no need to ditch your French press just yet. In moderation, coffee is still a delicious and harmless treat. So go ahead and enjoy your next cup with a peace of mind.
Preparation
The owner's manual generally states that you should pour boiling water into the carafe, wait four minutes, and then plunge.
If you are lucky, you might make a good cup of coffee but there’s more to it than just pouring water over the coffee.
It all starts with a good quality French press. Then you'll need a grinder - ideally a burr grinder, as this will give you a more consistent grind.
It's also important to use freshly roasted coffee beans, and to grind them just before brewing. Be sure to visit CustomRoastCoffee.com for the freshest beans, delivered to your door.
The water you use should be filtered, and brought to a boil just before being added to the French press.
You can monitor the temperature of your hot water before pouring it onto ground coffee if you're not using an electric kettle. There's also a special instant-read thermometer for this purpose that will give accurate readings.
Finally, and maybe the most important ingredient of all is patience. Once the water has been added to the carafe, allow the coffee to steep for four minutes before pressing down on the plunger. Once you've enjoyed your first cup of French press coffee, you'll never go back to instant.
French press coffee can be a little intimidating if you've never made it before. But making a great cup of coffee with a French press is probably easier than you might think.
Hopefully, this guide has shown you that although it’s a little more precise than regular coffee, with the right tools and a little practice, you’ll be enjoying full-bodied, delicious coffee each and every time.