The French Press was invented in mid-1800s France and is referred to by many different names: plunger pot, melior, piston coffee machine, plunger coffee, press pot and of course French Press.
The French Press works by the infusion process and produces a hardier cup, commonly it’s a cylindrical pot made out of glass or stainless steel with a plunger and built-in filter screen that presses hot water through ground coffee. Its simplicity is part of the beauty of the French Press method.
The secret to an amazing French Press coffee is all in the grind and patience during the preparation. Choose medium ground fresh coffee since too coarse of a grind will clog the filter, while extremely fine grinds will pass through the filter, muddying the brewed cup.
French Press like a Professional:
- Place the pot on a dry, flat surface. Hold it firmly and then pull out the plunger
- Add 2 tablespoons (14-16 grams) of coffee to the pot per 200 ml (6.7 oz.) of water
- Pour half of the desired hot water quantity (195º–205° F) into the pot, and after two minutes stir lightly.
- After two more minutes add the remaining hot water and stir lightly again.
- Carefully reinsert the plunger into the pot, stopping just above the water and ground coffee (do not plunge yet), and let stand for another two minutes.
- Press down slowly, exerting steady pressure until coffee grounds are fully separated from the brewed coffee above.
- The resulting beverage is a rich, dense brew, highlighting the full range of a coffee’s character and flavor.
