The French Press (coffee press, press pot) is one of the simplest ways to brew an excellent cup of coffee at home. Having a good French press also comes in handy while traveling as they have minimal parts and are extremely easy to clean. The keys to perfecting the French press are clean fresh water, coarse ground coffee, and proper timing. Brewing the Coffee Corral’s coffee in a French press allows you to taste the notes of each of our coffee beans from a different perspective. Follow this short guide and in no time you will be brewing a consistently excellent cup of coffee.
What You Need to Make the Perfect French Press Coffee at Home
- Your favorite Single Origin or Coffee Blend from the Coffee Corral
- Tea kettle for boiling water
- French Press
Step 1 – Boil Water
Bring approximately 2 cups of water to boil. If you plan on making more than one cup of coffee feel free to add more water. Once the water comes to a boil, remove it from the stove and allow it to cool briefly before using it to prepare coffee (ideal temperature is approximately 195°F). The goal here is to use water that is just off the boiling point. Depending upon the size of your French press you may need to boil more or less water.
- The type of water that you use to brew coffee matters. At The Coffee Corral we recommend using fresh cold water that is not chemically softened or distilled. Water makes up the bulk of any coffee preparation method, if you do not like drinking tap water chances are you will not like coffee brewed with tap water. If you do not have access to fresh cold filtered water, we recommend using bottled water.
Step 3 – Measure Out the Correct Amount of Coffee Grounds
You will get the best flavor from The Coffee Corral’s coffee beans by grinding the beans freshly each time you make coffee. If you do not own a grinder you can use preground coffee as well.
- It is generally best to use one tablespoon of coffee for every cup of water (1tbsp for every 6oz of water)
- A large French press will use 8tbsp of ground coffee
- It is best to use a coarse grind for the French press. The coffee should be about as course as bread crumbs
- Add your ground coffee into a clean French press
Step 4 – It’s All About Timing
If you have managed to make it this far you are in the home stretch. Our water and french pressed are prepped, and we are ready to begin the brewing process.
- Slowly pour hot water (Just off the boil aprox. 195°) over your coffee grounds making sure to properly saturate them.
- Fill the the French press about halfway with hot water
- Start a timer for 4 minutes
- After 1 min give your coffee a stir and fill the French press the rest of the way with hot water
- Affix the top but do not push the plunger down yet
- Once your timer goes off (3 minutes later) slowly push the plunger down and you are done
Step 5 – Enjoy
If you have followed all of the steps correctly, you should have the perfect French press. Find a comfortable spot and enjoy!