There are many ways to brew coffee at home. It’s like making music! Most of us will have used a French press at some point in our lives. But perhaps the humble cafetiere can now feel like a less exciting or interesting choice than some of the alternatives.
You know how it goes. When new musical acts arrive on the scene, you can’t get enough of them, and old favourites start to disappear from your playlists. You fill your boots with Olivia Rodrigo and The Weeknd, and you feel like you would swap your right arm for tickets to see Ed Sheeran.
But then Deezer Flow’s algorithm reaches into the recesses of your listening history and serves you up a session of Oasis, The Killers and Keane, and you love it! Why? Well, because you always enjoyed those bands. You just got sidetracked by the allure of something new.
You might find that you feel the same way about the French press. Familiarity can breed contempt. But it is always worth revisiting old favourites as you just might find they are top of your pops after all.
What are the benefits of a French press?
Perhaps the most appealing aspect of the humble French press is its simplicity. A cylindrical beaker with a plunger, a French press is as simple as it gets, a bit like a great melody.
It is also worth bearing in mind that French presses offer the greatest versatility when brewing. With most brewing methods you are restricted as to how quickly the water flows through the coffee, how much coffee you can make, the brew time and the size of grind you need to use.
But with a French press, you can make as much or as little coffee as you wish. You can use any grind size and you can halt the brew after 20 seconds or 20 hours. None of the variables impact the others which means that you have the ultimate freedom and can customise your coffee to the max.
Coffee brewing is always about managing the variables to achieve the extraction that suits your taste. it’s important to remember that unlike drip or pour-over coffee, a French press is a slow brewing method and a gentle one. As a result, it is harder to go wrong and you will generally benefit from a full-flavoured brew.
How do you create the best coffee with a French press?
You will need to experiment to find your coffee sweet spot. Your best friend might appreciate the Ed Sheeran of medium roast coffees while you much prefer a little crash bang wallop. However, remember that whatever you think you like now, it’s always worth adding a few variants to your coffee playlist. Your taste buds might relish some key changes along the way. With all that in mind, here are our tips for brewing with a French press:
- Use cool beans
Beans matter, so it’s good to try beans of different origins and to explore the various roasts to discover which combination tickles your fancy. But whether you favour a medium roast Colombian coffee or a dark roast Nicaraguan coffee, it’s best to start with beans and to grind them yourself. You will benefit from the richest flavour as you will be maximising the release of oils and aromatics.
- Keep things coarse
You will usually find that a coarse grind delivers the best results when using a French press. Start with a grind boasting a consistency similar to that of sea salt. You can always experiment with coarser or finer grinds to achieve the results you are looking for. Remember that the finer the grind, the more likely it is that residue will work its way into your coffee. Fine grinds can also result in over-extracted, bitter coffee.
- Decide how much to brew
French presses enable you to brew as much or as little coffee as you wish or need. You are limited only by the maximum capacity of your cafetiere. Roughly 250ml of water is sufficient to brew one cup of coffee.
- Measure your coffee
Adding the right amount of ground coffee to your French press is crucial. You can adjust the ratio of coffee to water to suit your taste but start by adding 60 grams (about four tablespoons) of ground coffee per litre of water. That’s a ratio of approximately 1:16.
- Heat and pour in water
Heat water to just below boiling point unless you are using dark-roasted or decaf coffee, in which case it’s best to use water that is around 10 °F cooler. Start by pouring just enough water to saturate the coffee. You will see it bubble and release gasses. This is known as the bloom. After 30 seconds, pour in the rest of the water and position the plunger in the press with its base sitting above the water.
- Wait!
You must now wait for your coffee to brew. The longer you wait, the fuller the flavour. However, it is possible to wait too long and to find that your coffee is bitter or overpowering. When you first start using your French press, time your brews to establish what works best for you. Six minutes is a good starting point. Keep a record of the best brewing times for each type of coffee that you sample. This will enable you to achieve consistent results moving forward.
- Take the plunge!
When your coffee has brewed, it’s time to plunge. Push down gently on the plunger. If you experience significant resistance, pull it up an inch or two and then resume plunging. When the plunger reaches the bottom, you are ready to pour. It’s best to pour all the coffee in the cafetiere at this point to stop the brewing process. Consider investing in thermal jug in which to decant your coffee.
Cleanliness is next to godliness
To benefit from heavenly coffee, you should clean your French press thoroughly after every use. Coffee oils can build up quickly and will impact the flavour of subsequent brews. This would be a great shame if you are using beautiful, freshly ground coffee.
Embracing mindfulness
You are probably aware that practising mindfulness can improve your mental health and your quality of life. It is worth noting that a French press gives you a slow and mindful approach to coffee brewing. In other words, cafetieres enable you to customise your coffee and also to truly savour the process of making it. Coffee is life-enhancing for those that love it and perhaps more so when brewed with a French press. Cool beans!
If you fancy treating yourself to a French press, you will discover outstanding choices in the Barista Shop range. Happy brewing!