A French press is one of the most popular ways to make coffee. It's simple, efficient, and if done correctly, produces a delicious cup of coffee. If you're new to making coffee with a French press, don't worry—we'll walk you through the process step-by-step so that you can enjoy a cup of freshly-pressed coffee in no time.
Step One: Heat Your Water
The first step in making coffee with a French press is to heat your water. You'll want to use filtered or spring water for the best results. Bring your water to a boil, then let it cool for about 30 seconds before proceeding to the next step. This will ensure that your water is at the perfect temperature for brewing coffee.
Step Two: Grind Your Coffee Beans
Next, it's time to grind your coffee beans. You'll want to use about 2 tablespoons of coffee beans for every cup of coffee you're making. If you're using pre-ground coffee, make sure that the grind is coarse—if it's too fine, your coffee will be over-extracted and taste bitter.
If you're grinding your own beans, use a burr grinder for the best results. Set your grinder to a coarse setting and grind your beans until they're evenly ground but not too powdery. Once your beans are ground, it's time to move on to brewing!
Step Three: Add Your Coffee Grounds to the French Press
Carefully add your grounds to the French press, then give them a gentle stir. Make sure that all of the grounds are wetted by the hot water—this will help them extract evenly and produce a delicious cup of coffee.
Step Four: Steep Your Coffee
Once all of your grounds are wetted, put the lid on your French press (but don't press down just yet!) and let your coffee steep for 4 minutes. After 4 minutes have passed, slowly press down on the plunger until it reaches the bottom of the carafe. Doing this too quickly will result in an uneven extraction and make for a less than stellar cup of coffee.
Step Five: Pour and Enjoy!
Last but not least, it's time to pour and enjoy! Be careful when pouring—the hot water can scald if it comes into contact with skin. Pour slowly and carefully into your favorite mug, leaving about an inch at the top of the mug so that you don't spill. And there you have it—a perfect cup of French press coffee! Bon appetit!
Making coffee with a French press is simple once you know how. Just remember to heat your water, grind your beans (coarsely!), add your grounds and stir gently, steep for four minutes, then slowly press down on the plunger before pouring into your mug. With these easy steps, you'll be enjoying freshly-pressed coffee in no time!