Using a French filter press is the easiest way to make delicious coffee. The brewing process is easy to learn and can be performed while half asleep and half awake. But you can still control every variable in the brewing process for maximum customization. When it comes to how much coffee you want to make, the French press is also very versatile.
Below you will find everything you need to make a good cup of coffee with a French filter press, how to control every element of the brewing, and troubleshooting tips if the taste does not match your expectations.
Quick tip: If you want to buy a French press, please check our selection of the best French press based on our tests.
Making a cup of coffee depends on several basic variables-coffee beans, grinding degree, coffee to water ratio, temperature and time. The French media allows you to customize each one, but before you start, you should know a few things about each one:
Choose coffee beans: The coffee beans you use will have the greatest impact on the results of your coffee. When it comes to roasting characteristics, growing areas, and flavor characteristics, taste is subjective, so choose the beans you like.
The most important thing you can do to improve your coffee is to make sure it is fresh. Coffee brewed within two weeks of roasting is usually in its best condition. Storing the beans in an airtight container in a cool and dark area also helps to keep them fresh.
Grinding: Grind your beans roughly to the size of sea salt. French filter presses usually use metal or mesh filters to allow more dissolved solids to pass through. Coarse grinding helps prevent some of the mud and grit that often settle at the bottom of the French filter press.
Most coffee grinders allow you to choose the coarseness, so you can dial in and find the right one. Blade grinders produce the well-known inconsistent grinding results, so if they are not recommended; use a burr grinder instead. If you don’t have your own grinder, most cafes and roasters can also grind to the roughness you like.
Proportion: Coffee experts usually recommend a ratio of about one part of coffee to eighteen parts of water. French printing presses come in many different sizes, so using ratios is the easiest way to calculate the size of a specific press.
For an 8-ounce cup of coffee, use about 15 grams of coffee and 237 milliliters of water, or about 2 tablespoons to 1 cup. Compared to other manual brewing methods, the French press is very forgiving, so you don’t have to be very precise.
Water temperature: The ideal temperature range for brewing coffee is 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use the thermometer precisely, or just let the water boil, then turn off the heat and wait about 30 seconds before pouring it on the ground.
Brewing time: Four to five minutes of brewing time will bring you the best flavor. If you prefer strong coffee, it is okay to soak the ground coffee for longer, but you may be at risk of over-extraction, which will cause the coffee to taste more bitter.
Quick tip: French presses are sold with glass or plastic beakers. Plastics will begin to warp, crack and discolor after prolonged use. Glass is more fragile, but only needs to be replaced when it is broken or shattered.
Heat the water to 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit for best extraction results. Calvin Images/Getty Images
Quick tip: Most French presses can be used as serving containers, but the coffee will continue to steep even after filtering. This can lead to excessive extraction and bitter coffee. If you want to make more than one cup, pour coffee into a jug to stop the brewing process.
French media thinks it is very simple and troubleshooting is easy. Here are some common problems and some possible solutions:
Too weak? If your coffee is too weak, there may be two variables in the brewing process-brewing time and water temperature. If the coffee steeping time is less than four minutes, or the water temperature is below 195 degrees Fahrenheit, the coffee is underdeveloped and has a watery taste.
too bitter? When coffee is brewed for too long, a bitter taste usually appears. The longer the ground is in contact with water, the more organic compounds and oils can be extracted from the beans. Try to use a kitchen timer to avoid over-extraction, and pour the coffee into a different container after brewing.
Too rough? Because of its filtration method, French press coffee is known for producing stronger coffee. Unfortunately, there may be some sediment in each batch. To avoid the worst-case scenario, coarsely grind the coffee so that fewer particles pass through the filter. In addition, as the coffee cools, the sediment will naturally settle to the bottom of the cup. Don’t take the last bite, because it is likely to be full of gravel.
Does it taste funny? Make sure to clean your French press after each use. The oil will accumulate and become sour over time, resulting in some unpleasant tastes. Clean with hot water and a clean dish towel. If you use dish soap, be sure to rinse it off thoroughly. Soap can also leave residues that cause strange tastes. If your press is clean and your coffee still tastes strange, check the roast date on the coffee beans. They may be too old.
Quick tip: Grinding coffee before brewing is another good way to ensure the freshest flavor.
French press is not just a simple, easy-to-learn and very forgiving device. This is also a perfect introduction to the basics of coffee brewing. It can control every brewing variable, so with a little understanding and practice, you can understand how every factor in the brewing process contributes to making the perfect cup.
If you just want some delicious coffee, use 1 cup of water for every 2 tablespoons of ground coffee, heat the water to 195 degrees Fahrenheit, steep for four minutes, and enjoy.
Post time: Jun-30-2021