Coffee had been a staple for most people, especially those who need a kick start in the morning. Just simply smelling the aroma of their favorite cup of joe revives their energy, making them ready for a hectic and busy day ahead. Nothing beats preparing your own cup of coffee. Aside from the freedom to brew whatever consistency and strength you like, it can also serve as a pleasurable morning routine.
For most, an expensive espresso machine might do the work. However, not everyone can actually afford it. As such, a handy and more traditional French press can be your solution. If this is your first time encountering this simple yet effective coffee maker, then we’ll walk you through everything you need to know- its different parts, how to use it, and how long French press takes to brew a cup of coffee.
The Basics of French Press
Before we go deeper on how to use a French press or how long French press brews a coffee, let’s learn the basics first- the parts. Like all machines and devices, a French press also has different parts that function together to craft your favorite drink.
The main part is the container of the beaker. It is where you combine your coffee grounds with hot water. It also has a base and the handle, generally, for convenience. The filter and plunger are all attached to the lid. It allows you to press down the coffee grounds so that you can get the most out of the coffee beans.
How a French Press Works
A French press is a very simple tool to use. It works by letting the coffee grounds steep in hot water. Once the process is done, you can then press the plunger to the bottom to separate the grounds and keep them from getting to your coffee. The filter allows the coffee’s natural oils through, resulting in a stronger and more aromatic cup of joe.
The key to having the best coffee of your life when using and French press is to know the basic details- how much coffee to put, the right water temperature, and how long French press takes to complete a brew. A French press can turn your coffee too bitter. That’s why you always have to be mindful of the basics.
How to Make Coffee Using French Press
If you want to make your own coffee using a French press, here are simple step-by-step instructions to do so:
- Measure your preferred amount of coffee beans. Generally, for a 32-ounce coffee, a 1/2 cup of coffee grounds would be enough. However, it would still depend on your preference. If you want a stronger coffee, you can add a bit more.
- Grind your beans coarsely. If you are using a burr grinder, grind the coffee grounds to the coarsest possible. On the other hand, if you are using a blade grinder, make sure to use short but sharp grinds, pausing every couple of pulses to make sure you’re grinding the beans evenly. Uneven coffee grounds can have a significant impact on the final taste of your coffee.
- Heat 4 cups of water using a kettle or pan and bring your water to a boil. Make sure to let it sit first for a minute. The ideal water temperature for the French press is 195°F. You can also utilize your thermometer to make sure you have the right temperature. Some modern kettles have custom settings, so when you press “coffee,” it will automatically turn off once it reaches 195°F.
- Pour the water into your French press.
- Stir briskly until the coffee is well saturated in water.
- If you’re asking how long French press needs to steep? – the answer is 4 minutes. Let the coffee soak for a full 4 minutes for a perfect, rich coffee. However, you can also let it steep longer or shorter, depending on how strong you want your coffee to be.
- Once the 4 minutes is over, carefully press the plunger down to the bottom, letting all the grounds accumulate. Pour the coffee into your cup and enjoy!
Conclusion
Using a French press is an effective and traditional way of brewing coffee. Since it’s a manual method of coffee making, you have to make sure that you follow the basics in order to avoid having coffee that’s too bitter or too light. Generally, the French press uses about half a cup of freshly grounded coffee beans. It also utilizes 4 cups of water, which follows a specific temperature as for how long French press steeps. The optimal window should be 4 minutes.
Once you get the hang of using a French press, you can alter some of the methods to suit your taste preference. French pressed coffee is stronger than your regular brew. That’s because of the natural oils that are extracted with the coffee grounds. One important thing to remember is, make sure to drink the coffee right after French pressing. Storing the coffee will make it stale and not as rich as you would hope it to be. Know more about french press.