Using a coffee press (also known as a French press) is a simple and effective way to make delicious coffee. Follow these steps for the best results:
Materials Needed
- Coffee press (French press)
- Coarsely ground coffee
- Hot water (just below boiling, around 200°F or 93°C)
- Spoon or stirrer
- Timer
Steps
- Prepare the Coffee Press
- Disassemble the coffee press and ensure all parts are clean.
- Preheat the coffee press by rinsing it with hot water. This helps maintain the temperature of the brewing coffee.
- Measure and Add Coffee
- Measure out the coarsely ground coffee. A standard ratio is 1 ounce (about 28 grams) of coffee for every 15 ounces (about 450 milliliters) of water.
- Add the ground coffee to the bottom of the press.
- Heat the Water
- Heat water to just below boiling (around 200°F or 93°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, bring the water to a boil and then let it sit for 30 seconds.
- Add Water
- Pour the hot water over the coffee grounds, ensuring all the grounds are saturated. Pour to the halfway mark, then give the mixture a gentle stir to break up any clumps.
- After stirring, pour the remaining water to the top of the press.
- Steep the Coffee
- Place the lid on the press with the plunger pulled all the way up to retain heat.
- Let the coffee steep for 4 minutes. For a stronger brew, you can let it steep a bit longer, up to 5 minutes.
- Press the Coffee
- After steeping, slowly and evenly press the plunger down. Apply gentle pressure and avoid forcing it, which can cause grounds to escape.
- Serve and Enjoy
- Pour the brewed coffee into your cup immediately to prevent over-extraction.
- Serve and enjoy your freshly brewed coffee!
Cleaning the Coffee Press
- Discard the used coffee grounds (they make great compost!).
- Disassemble the coffee press and rinse all parts thoroughly.
- Wash with warm, soapy water and dry before reassembling for next use.
By following these steps, you can enjoy a rich and flavorful cup of coffee using a coffee press.
