Enjoy today’s guest post by Tad! –Aliesha
You know the taste of that first pot of coffee made from a freshly opened can of grounds? It is always so delicious, but over time the flavor tends to get stale and old. In my pursuit of being able to make a cup of coffee that tasted as good as that first pot, I discovered the French press method, which is a method of making freshly ground coffee that tastes even better than that first pot. It can make a strong, smooth cup of coffee without any bitterness.
French press coffee is made using a coarser grind than a standard drip pot. Because of this, it is import to grind your coffee at home. Grinders can be purchased for around $20. We use a hand-cranked burr grinder instead of an electric blade grinder because it achieves a more even grind. Freshly ground coffee tastes significantly better than coffee that is ground and then stored for a length of time.
Here is how to brew the perfect cup of French press coffee.
When making French press coffee (or any method of brewing, for that matter), it is best to grind your coffee immediately before brewing.
Things you need:
whole bean coffee
coffee grinder
measuring spoon
measuring cup
pot or tea kettle
French press (we use the Bodum Brazil)
wooden or plastic spoon
How to:
Grind your coffee. You should use 2 Tbsp. of coarsely ground coffee for each cup of water. I usually make three cups of water and 6 Tbsp.
Heat water on a stove in either a pot or a kettle. The water should not be boiling, but instead should be between 195 and 205 degrees. Typically it is around the right temperature the first moment a tea kettle makes a peep (before it is “shrieking”). Alternately, you can use an instant read thermometer after water has been brought to a boil. Track the time it takes to drop to 205 degrees after is has been removed from the heat so you don’t have to use the thermometer every time.
Place the ground coffee in the bottom of the French press and the water poured on top. Stir the coffee. Place the lid on the press, leaving the filter above the surface of the coffee.
Brew the coffee for about 5 minutes, and then press the plunger straight down. If you don’t push it straight, you may get grounds in your coffee.
Even after being pressed the coffee may continue to brew, so pour your coffee into a mug to enjoy immediately.
Enjoy!
