The French Press is a classic immersion brewer that offers a fool-proof way of brewing filter coffee for larger groups or thirsty households. Like any filter brewer, getting the grind right is of paramount importance. Unlike a lot of brewing advice, we don’t opt for a super coarse grind for French Press brewing, opting instead for a medium consistency. This will ensure a proper extraction, and richer, fuller bodied cups.

Preparation

THE NECESSITIES

For 3 to 4 cups of coffee you will need:
  • 45g coffee
  • Soft, clean water
  • French Press
  • Grinder
  • Stirrer
  • Scales and timer
  • Decanter

Step 1.

Pop your water on to boil. Make sure to use some to pre-warm and rinse your French Press and decanter.

Step 2.

Weigh out and grind your coffee, aiming fora couscous-like consistency, and add to the brewer.

Step 3.

Place the brewer on your scales, zero off and add your ground coffee.

Step 4.

Your brewing water should be just off the boil. Start your timer and add 750g water, making sure to not leave any dry patches.

Step 5.

Stir the coffee to make sure no patches are left high and dry and there are no clumps at the bottom of the brewer.

Step 6.

At 3-4 minutes, push down any grounds that have floated up to the top using the back of a spoon. Skim off any foam from the surface if you prefer a cleaner cup (which you no doubt will).

Step 7.

Set the plunger in place and very gently press until the mesh reaches just above the coffee bed at the bottom of the brewer.

Step 8.

Leave for as long as you're able to wait — at least 2 minutes — before decanting.

Step 9.

By decanting all the brewed coffee rather than holding it in the French Press, you’ve stopped the extraction and left as much silt as possible behind. Your coffee will continue to clarify in the decanter, so wait a moment before pouring into cups.

Untapped potential

Have you tried:

Untapped potential

Have you tried: