Food - Drink
14 Steps You Should Follow When Brewing French Press Coffee
By GREYSON FERGUSON
Always Grind Your Own Beans
Pre-ground coffee is easier, but coffee beans will always deliver a fresher cup of coffee. One reason is that pre-ground coffee rapidly loses its freshness after being opened.
A French press, tea kettle, and coffee grinder together generally cost less than a drip coffee maker, all while giving you more control over the quality of the coffee you make.
Coarse Ground Coffee
The grind size of your beans is very important to the overall quality of your coffee. When it comes to using a French press you want a coarser grind between 0.75 mm and 1 mm.
Fine grinds expel their flavor into the water faster, but French presses need some time to let everything steep. Fine grinds don’t allow this, resulting in acidic coffee.
Tap Water Might Be Best
Some coffee shops will use filtered and distilled water. This ensures a more consistent taste, especially between coffee shop locations, but your own tap water may taste better.
Minerals often found in tap water, such as magnesium and calcium, can improve the quality of your brew. It’s worth having your water tested, just so you know its makeup.
How Much Coffee To Add To Your French Press?
If you’re unsure whether you like your coffee dark or light, a good rule of thumb is to shoot for around 1 gram of grounded coffee per 15 grams of water.
Pre-Heat The French Press
Add hot water to the French press as you wait for the water to boil. This will help preheat the glass, which in turn keeps your coffee hot as the glass has already heated up.
French presses are made of glass, which isn’t exactly the best material for retaining heat. If the press is pre-heated, you will have less heat loss.