French press coffee is a delicious way to brew your cup of coffee whether in the morning, afternoon, or whenever. It is a slower brew with a stronger flavor, and it takes a little bit of knowledge and practice to get just right. However, the flavor is worth the extra work, and who doesn’t love the aesthetic of a hot cup of coffee to start your day?
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A fresh, hot cup of coffee, my Bible, and a notebook is the way I love to start my day. Coffee has been one of my favorite things for many years, and I really love getting to enjoy it as part of my morning routine. When my husband and I first got married, we always used a coffee maker and just regular Folgers coffee since that was what we knew. However, it was when I spent time at a friend’s house who made French press in the morning that my eyes were opened to a whole new element in the world of coffee. Let’s just say, it was a game changer.
Now, I am not a coffee expert in any way, but I am a mama who loves her coffee. With that being said, I enjoy using my French press every day, and I have had lots of fun trying out different brew methods and finding what works best for me. I’ll be sharing with you the basics of the French press along with some tips and tricks that have worked for me. I highly suggest that you try out these recipes and tweak them to see what you enjoy the most.
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What is French press coffee?
French press coffee is a slow brew, manual method of making coffee that involves pouring hot water over grounds, stirring them together, and letting them sit and brew. Then you strain the grounds by pushing them down with the plunger, and you can pour yourself a cup of delicious coffee!
What is the difference between French press and drip coffee?
The biggest difference between French press and drip coffee is the flavor that you are going to have. The drip method will yield a lighter tasting coffee because the grounds and water are not in contact for as long. The French press method though brews the coffee by steeping the grounds in the water for a longer period of time. The end result is a bolder and stronger cup of coffee.
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Tips and Tricks for French Press Coffee:
-If possible, use a medium coarse grind when using the French press. This will help the grounds to not get mixed up in the coffee when you push the plunger down to filter out the coffee. Also, a medium coarse grind will help the coffee not be bitter.
-If you need to use regular coffee grounds, try to use a little less than normal or brew for a little less time to avoid bitter coffee as well.
-Even though you might get all of the coffee grounds wet when you pour in the hot water, it is still a good idea to stir the grounds in the water. This allows the air bubbles to come to the top and ensures that all of the grounds are dispersed in the water.
-Be careful when you are putting the plunger piece in above the water and grounds. You don’t want the plunger to dip into the grounds or water. Try to keep it flat the whole time.
-These recipes are for a standard French Press, which should be about 34 oz.
-If you do not own a coffee grinder or do not have access to one, I highly recommend that you get a higher quality coffee to limit the chances of your morning cup ending up bitter. Whether you get beans or grounds though, higher quality coffee is always a good option.
-For those who have never had French press coffee before, I suggest that you try using a medium roast coffee for your first few times so that you can get used to the flavor differences and what ratio and brew time you like best. You may have to brew a few cups to figure out how you like it.
Supplies:
- French press (I use a standard 34oz., but any will work.)
- Hot Water Kettle or Stovetop Kettle
- Coffee of choice (I suggest starting with a medium roast for newbies.)
- Spoon, mug, coffee fixings
Coffee to Water Ratio for French Press
Depending on how strong you like your coffee, you can use 1-2 tablespoons of coffee grounds for every cup of water. Because of the longer brew time, you don’t always need as much grounds for every cup.
How to Brew Coffee with a French Press (Coarse Grounds):
- Start off by heating your water to boiling. Once there, you can let it cool slightly.
- While your water is heating up, grind your beans until they resemble chunky sand.
- Measure your grounds into the French press, and pour the hot water over the top.
- Carefully, stir with a spoon. Place the plunger piece over the top and rest the filter piece right on top of the brewing coffee. You should also make sure that the strainer piece for the spout is closed to help keep the heat in.
- Set a timer for 6-10 minutes.
- Press the filter piece down, and pour your coffee into your mug. Add cream, sugar, or whatever you wish, and enjoy!
How to Brew Coffee with a French Press (Fine/Pre-Ground Coffee):
- Start off by heating your water to boiling. Once there, you can let it cool slightly.
- Measure your grounds into the French press, using 1/2 to 3/4 of the amount you would normally use, and pour the hot water over the top.
- Carefully, stir with a spoon. Place the plunger piece over the top and rest the filter piece right on top of the brewing coffee. You should also make sure that the strainer piece for the spout is closed to help keep the heat in.
- Set a timer for 6-10 minutes. If you want a lighter tasting coffee, use less time.
- Press the filter piece down, and pour your coffee into your mug. Add cream, sugar, or whatever you wish, and enjoy!
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Start off by heating your water to boiling. Once there, you can let it cool slightly.
- While your water is heating up, grind your beans until they resemble chunky sand.
- Measure your grounds into the French press, and pour the hot water over the top.
- Carefully, stir with a spoon. Place the plunger piece over the top and rest the filter piece right on top of the brewing coffee. You should also make sure that the strainer piece for the spout is closed to help keep the heat in.
- Set a timer for 6-10 minutes.
- Press the filter piece down, and pour your coffee into your mug. Add cream, sugar, or whatever you wish, and enjoy!
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Thanks for creating with me!
-Chelsey
Hi there! I’m Chelsey!
Welcome to my blog God’s Gift of Creativity! Join me as I share my love for crochet, crafts, and cooking and show you how you can do it too!
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