Coffee is one of the most admired beverages in the world and a staple in the diets of many cultures. It is the second most preferred beverage in the United States after water. An American citizen drinks about three cups of coffee regularly. People drink about 400 million cups of coffee in the United States. While there are a lot of coffee lovers in the United States, Finland is the largest consumer of coffee. The average Finnish citizen consumes 28 pounds of coffee annually.
It is said that coffee was discovered around 800 A.D. by a monk who made a drink with caffeine seeds. He found that the glass kept him awake at night. Since its discovery, coffee has become a billion-dollar industry. There are many sub-industries, which include cafes, coffee production, and beverages.
With the advent of machinery like electric kettles and French press, an average person can easily make coffee at home. When learning how to use a French press correctly, you can make high-quality coffee (cold and hot brewed) without visiting the nearest ‘Starbucks.’
It is an effortless task that anyone can accomplish. Now, we will take a look at how to use a French press to make delicious coffee:
1. What is a French Press?
A French press is called a jug, which makes brewing coffee easier. Typically, a French press consists of the following components.
1.1 Beaker
The core component of the French press is where the hot water and coffee grounds are placed.
1.2 Base and Handle
As the name suggests, the base is the bottom-most part of the French press, which maintains the temperature and the handle for carrying.
1.3 Metal Mesh Filter
The filter in the French press is made from metal, which separates the fine articles and natural oils to pass through the cup.
1.4 Coffee Plunger
The primary function of the plunger is to drive the coffee particles to the base of the French press. The units mentioned above do not require much time and effort.
2. Different Types Of French Press
While you might be eager to prepare finely brewed coffee, it is important to understand which type of French press can be used based on your requirements.
Here are the different types of French press:
1. Small French Press
This equipment is generally used for people who want to make coffee for themselves or their partners. The small French press generally includes size three and 4-cup presses.
2. Large French Press
It is suitable if you want to host a party. The large French press can produce 8 to 12 cups of coffee.
3. Metal French Press Coffee
If you stay in places like North Dakota, Wyoming, or Illinois, the metal French press coffee is ideal as it retains heat better.
4. Electric French Press
It is the easiest to use as the units heat water, brew coffee, and keep it warm.
3. How To Use a French Press to Make coffee
Let us now go through the steps required to make delicious coffee using the French press
1) Preheat The French Press
The very first step is to add hot water to your coffee press. This is a very important step as the hot water can even out the cold surface of the coffee press. The ideal temperature for boiling the water is around 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once you pour the hot water into the coffee press, stir until you can easily touch it with your skin. Once the ideal temperature is reached, dispose of the hot water responsibly. Preheating the French press also helps to keep enough coffee warm.
2) Weigh Coffee Grounds
The size of the coffee grounds depends on your French press coffee maker and the amount of coffee to be made. After weighing the coffee beans, it becomes crucial to grind the coffee beans.
You can grind the beans using a coffee grinder. How you want the coffee beans to be ground depends on how strong you want your coffee. However, we will focus on the medium coarse grind in this case. (French press tips: The finer coffee bean grinds give a stronger taste).
3) Measure Water and Check the Temperature
Once the amount of coffee is measured, we have to measure the water required. The ideal ratio between the coffee and water should be 1:15. For every ounce of coffee, you should add 15 ounces. For best results, weigh the water rather than measure it with a cup. Heat the water using a stovetop (Recommended temperature: 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit).
4) Add Hot Water and Coffee Grounds to The French Press
First, you add the coffee grounds to the preheated French press. Then, pour the hot water as per the coffee-to-water ratio above (1:15). Once the coffee and water are mixed, stir the mixture gently with a wooden spoon to ensure the coffee grounds are immersed in the water.
5) Put the Lid on The French Press
After you’ve added the ingredients, it is important to ensure that the heat is inside as the coffee brews. The heat is trapped by keeping a lid on top of the French press. Once you’ve placed the lid, set a timer for the coffee press steep time. Usually, we set a timer for 4 minutes.
6) Gently Press the Plunger Down
After the required time has passed, gently push the plunger. The coffee plunger should be pushed down so the coffee doesn’t brew into over-extraction. (If you notice too much opposition when pushing down, the grounds are too fine; if there is slight resistance, then the grounds are too coarse).
7) Decant The Coffee
It is recommended to decant the coffee to get a rich taste. To decant the coffee, it is important to pour the brewed coffee into a separate decanter so that the coffee grounds settle to the bottom. This will give the coffee a more bitter and stronger brew. (Decanting coffee is optional, but it is highly recommended to provide the coffee with a stronger flavor).
8) Serve the Perfect French Press Coffee
Once you have decanted the coffee, you can serve the flavorful coffee in your favorite mug.
4. What Is the Ideal French Press Ratio?
The right ratio for the perfect cup of coffee should be between 1 and 15; this still gives a lighter coffee. Adding more coffee to the mixture makes sense if you want a more bitter coffee. i.e., the overall French press ratio will decrease. If you want a strong, darker coffee, the ratio should be 1:10. However, if you do not want your coffee to be too strong or too light, then the ideal coffee-to-water ratio should be 1:12.
5. What Are the Different French Press Sizes, and How Much Coffee Do They Make?
We usually use 9-ounce cups for each press size. However, if we need the exact measurement, then the unit used for the French press beaker is a ‘cup press.’ Here is the measure of brewed coffee press for each size:
- 3 cup press – 1 cup
- 8 cup press – 3.4 cups
- 12 cup press – 5.3 cups
6. How Do You Know Which Is the Right French Press?
There are a lot of French press coffee makers in the market, so it takes a lot of time and analysis to choose the right one. The best coffee makers have the right design, filter, material, and construction to provide the best coffee brewing process. Here is a list of some of the best French Press Coffee makers based on their online reviews:
- Francois et Mimi Double Walled French Press (34 Oz, Stainless Steel design and filter)
- Freiling Stainless Steel French press (8 Oz, Stainless Steel double screen)
- Bodum Chambord French Press (34 Oz, Glass Design, Stainless Steel Filter)
- KONA French press (34 Oz, Glass Design, Stainless Steel single screen)
- Espro P3 French Press (32 Oz, Glass Design, Plastic Basket)
- Bodum Brazil French Press (34 Oz, Glass Design, Stainless Steel single screen)
- The Sterling Pro French Press (59 Oz, Stainless Steel Design, Stainless Steel double screen)
7. What Is the Ideal Size for Grinding the Coffee Beans?
The general rule of thumb to grind whole beans is a coarse and medium grind. However, if you want your coffee to be a little stronger or weaker, then you can refer to the following types of grinds:
- Extra Coarse Ground Coffee: Used for cold brew or lighter coffee
- Coarse ground coffee: The grind resembles a salt texture
- Medium coarse grind: Similar to rough sand texture, café solo dripper brew
- Medium Grind: Regular sand consistency, suitable for the Aeropress
- Medium Fine Ground: It is used in aero and French press with a finer texture than sand
- Fine Grind (Espresso Grind): Finer texture than table salt, this type of grind is used in espresso brewing
- Extra Fine (Turkish Coffee grind): This type of coffee grind is used in Turkish coffee and is similar to powder in texture
8. How To Go About Grinding?
Grinding coffee beans can not be done manually; it can only be done through grinders. In particular, two types of grinders – blade and burr. A burr grinder compresses the coffee beans between a flat surface and a moving grinder wheel.
On the other hand, the blade grinder uses its two central blades to pound the coffee beans. If you want more finely ground coffee beans, then it is suggested that you use the burr grinder. This is because the grinder wheel crushes the beans into smaller pieces, but in the case of the blade grinder, the coffee beans are uneven in shape, leading to a drop in the taste of coffee.
9. What Type of Coffee Should Be Used for The French Press?
Types of coffee beans are a personal choice; however, medium and dark-roasted beans are recommended for French press coffee. Some of the best picks for French press coffee include:
- Koa Estate 100% Kona Coffee
- Driftaway Coffee
- Lifeboost Medium Roast
- Volcanica Bolivia Peaberry
- Coffee Bros. Costa Rica
10. Is it Necessary to Decant the Coffee after Using the French Press?
The critical point is that the coffee grounds are still in the French press even after pushing the plunger. If you will consume the delicious coffee immediately, then a decant is not required. However, if you are going to drink the coffee after an hour or so, then it is recommended that a decanter is used. As a bonus, the decanter keeps the coffee hot.
11. What are the Other Brewing Styles?
11.1. Drip Coffee
A style of brewing that involves pouring boiling water over ground coffee beans that drains through a filter into a carafe.
11.2. AeroPress Coffee
Ground coffee beans and water are placed in the Aeropress (cylindrical container). They are then forced through a filter by placing a plunger.
11.3. Moka Pot Espresso Maker
The Moka Pot consists of three layers – the bottom for holding the water, the middle for storing grounded coffee, and the top layer for making the coffee. The pot is placed over a kettle to boil the mixture, creating an espresso.
Takeaways
As mentioned earlier, coffee is a very popular beverage, especially in the United States. An average citizen may find it difficult to begin their day without a cup of coffee. While many prefer coffee at cafes, making coffee at home helps save time. Tools like the French press can help save time and effort in preparing delicious coffee. The type of French press and coffee varies with different users.
