I love my morning coffee, and I’ve tried lots of methods, but using a French Press is the best and most efficient way to make a great cup of coffee. Below is the simple process.
The familiar French press coffee pot may not have the same coffee nerd cred as pour-over coffee, but that glass carafe cradled in chrome is one of the best ways to brew coffee at home—if you do it right. Here’s a step-by-step guide to pristine coffee.
Start With a Coarse Grind
Brewing with a French press—like a Bodum model—is fundamentally different from a pour-over method. The water passes through a filter with pour-overs, but the ground coffee steeps in the water with the press.
Since your water and coffee will be hanging out for a while, start with a very coarse grind—the grounds should resemble breadcrumbs. Any finer, and you’ll end up with a cup of bitter, undrinkable coffee. Buying freshly roasted beans, as opposed to those packaged and stored for months at a time, is a sure way to make your coffee experience more favorable. Put one tablespoon for each cup of that coarse grind in the bottom of the press and heat your water.
Fill the Carafe Halfway, Then Wait
When the water reaches a boil, take the kettle off the heat and let it cool for 30 seconds. Now your water’s ready; time for your first pour. Fill the carafe to the halfway point. (This first saturation is known as the “bloom,” ensuring your coffee won’t be too weak or too bitter.) If you have excess hot water, pour some in your coffee mug to warm it up.
Preparing coffee in a French press is easy and delicious.
After 60 Seconds, Stir the Grounds with a Spoon
While you’re waiting, check Twitter, text your mom, and think about how great this coffee’s going to be. After 60 seconds, use a spoon to break up the caked layer of grounds that form on top of the water. Fill the carafe to the top with water, using a circular pouring method to soak all the grounds. Place the lid on the press, but resist the temptation to plunge immediately. Put down the kettle and set a kitchen timer to four minutes. Go back to Twitter. Or switch to Instagram.
When the Timer’s Done, Plunge
Once the timer hits the four-minute mark, it’s time to plunge. The press shouldn’t offer too much resistance, but make sure the mesh filter lowers slowly and evenly.
That’s It—Great Coffee
And, well, that’s it. Pour out your perfectly brewed French press coffee immediately into mugs or a serving vessel, as any additional time spent in the carafe will continue the brewing process.