The French Press is known as a cafeteria or coffee plunger, and it’s probably the most underrated method of brewing coffee. However, everyone seems to have one at home; it is easy to brew coffee and also cheap. Besides, regarding the name, it may be surprising that an Italian invented the French Press called Attilio Calimani in 1929. Also, a very similar coffee brewer was first patented by two Frenchmen, Mayer and Delforge in 1852.
But what is a French Press?
The French Press is an infusion coffee brewer where the water and coffee steep together. This fusion helps with producing a more uniform extraction. Most methods of brewing coffee are when the water passes through the grounds. This unusual method is what makes the French Press stand out, because of its different brew methods.
Another unique aspect of the French Press is the way the coffee grounds are filtered from the brewing liquid by using a metal mesh. The mesh has large holes and allows non-soluble material from the coffee to get into the cup. However, this is not a bad thing, because you can get a little of the coffee oil and some tiny grounds of coffee in the cup which will result in a bigger and richer body and texture of the coffee. This method is what makes the French Press interesting.
The different brewing option is designed to achieve a more great brew with a minimum amount of coffee sludge. This method requires more effort and patience, but you will be rewarded with a great coffee cup that will give easy access to all the unique flavors and characteristics of the coffee.
How to make coffee in a french press?
The usual ratio for French Press coffee is 75 g/1; however, it is recommended to have a slightly higher proportion of coffee to water when using an infusion brewer. This method will produce a brew that has strength similar to a pour-over brewer. The grind should be medium/superfine, but people grind their beans very coarsely when they want to brew in a French Press. However, this isn’t necessary unless you want your grinder to produce very fine coffee ground, and if you want your brew to turn quickly into a bitter coffee.
- If you have a grinder, you have to grind your coffee just before you start brewing. Make sure that you weigh the coffee first.
- Boil a pot of fresh water with low mineral content. This type of water is suitable for brewing coffee.
- Put the coffee ground into the French Press and then pour in the correct amount of water until you achieve the right ratio of 75 g/1. Try to pour quickly and get the coffee wet.
- Leave the coffee to steep for four minutes, during this time, the coffee will float, and it will form a crust-like layer.
- After four minutes, take a spoon, a large one, and stir the crust. The stirring will make the coffee fall to the bottom of the brewer. However, a little foam and coffee grounds will remain on top.
- Use the spoon to scoop out the left coffee on the top and discard it.
- Wait another five minutes because the coffee will be too hot for drinking, and this waiting time will also help the coffee and its fine particles sink to the bottom.
- You can now take the mesh plunger and place it to the top of the French Press, however, do not plunge it. If you dive in, you will create turbulence which will stir up all the silty coffee at the bottom of the pot.
- After following all the processes, you can now pour the coffee through the mesh into the cup. When you get close to the bottom, the liquid will have little silt in it, and if you can resist pouring out the very last drop of coffee, you will end up with a delicious, flavored coffee that has little silt.