Many people have heard the term, but not all of us know exactly what a French press is. Also known as a press pot, a coffee press, or a coffee plunger, the French press is perhaps the best way to get a stronger, more flavorful cup of coffee.

The Press Pot

The French press normally consists of a glass cylinder, although it could be made of other material. A plunger tightly fitted into the lid has a mesh filter at the bottom of the plunger. The filter could be either wire or nylon mesh, but the nylon is more forgiving for unevenly ground coffee.

Coffee and water are placed in the jar together to brew for a few minutes. The plunger and filter are used to separate the grounds from the water, and voila – you have a very rich cup of coffee.

Coffee made in a French press tends to retain more of the flavor of the bean, as well as retaining the oils that would normally be filtered out by a paper filter in a traditional automatic drip machine.

Since the coffee is in direct contact with the water, and the water retains a certain amount of sediment in the brewing process, coffee brewed in a French press should be served immediately, no more than 20 minutes after it has steeped. Waiting too long to serve the coffee can lead to overexposure to the beans, making for a bitter cup of coffee.

Your Daily Grind is Key

The single most important element in making an excellent cup of coffee with a French press is to have a uniform, coarsely ground coffee. If you are going to be using a French press on a regular basis, invest in a high quality burr grinder, which provides a more uniform grind than the blade grinders. Burr grinders cut rather than crush the coffee bean, which is important since a large part of the bean’s flavor can be lost in the grinding process. A good burr grinder will have a mechanism to prevent the beans from overheating during grinding, and it will cost you about $100.

Having a consistent coarse grind is just as important to making a great cup of coffee in a French press as having a consistent fine grind is to making espresso. Unevenly ground coffee may not get filtered properly, leaving you with a large amount of grounds in your cup.

Boil Your Water

Coffee beans are vital to achieving great taste, but so is the water you use. To get the best cup possible, use quality bottled or filtered water. Boil the water ahead of time, and have it ready to add to your French press as soon as you have finished grinding your beans.

Mix It Up

Place 8.5 grams of freshly ground coffee into your French press for each four ounces of water you plan to add. The coffee should be put into the press immediately upon grinding, and the boiling water should be added without delay. This will ensure the freshest, smoothest taste.

Add the water evenly and steadily, ensuring you cover all the grounds with water uniformly. Once all the water has been added, take a wooden stir stick and stir the coffee briefly. Add the lid, plunger, and filter. For smaller amounts, allow the brew to steep for two to three minutes. Larger pots should sit for four minutes.

Once your coffee has finished brewing, grab the plunger and gently, steadily depress it towards the bottom of your French press. Control your plunge, ensuring the rod remains perfectly upright. Any angle as you depress the rod could result in excess grounds escaping into your coffee.

When you have plunged all the way to the bottom, immediately pour your coffee into a cup and enjoy.

Keep it Clean

Properly cleaning and maintaining your coffee press will ensure you receive great tasting java for a long time to come. Many people underestimate the importance of using clean utensils and equipment, but the residue of old coffee can impair the taste of your fresh cup. Thoroughly wash and rinse the plunger, filter, and pot after each use.

Purchasing a French Press

There are no mechanical parts inside a French press. The mechanism is very simple, so choose a design that fits your style. You can find one in any capacity – two, three, four, eight, or twelve cup – made in glass, metal, and bronze. Some look like an old-fashioned coffeepot, while others are sleek and modern. Some evoke images of faraway places like Kenya or Asia, while others would be right at home in a modern bistro.

Most French presses can be found for under $20, but the larger capacity, double-walled, upscale or trendy versions can cost as much as $100. Find one that matches your décor at a price you can be happy with.

If you prefer to have your coffee on the go, you can find travel presses. The press mechanism and cup combine into one easy-to-carry unit, allowing you to enjoy your coffee press at any hour, any place.

If you love to enjoy a rich, smooth cup of coffee and have never before experienced the fullness of a cup from a French press, go ahead and give it a try. When made properly, you will be capturing the full essence of the flavors of the bean. Experiment with various roasts and find out which one satisfies you the most.

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