A small brewing method that revolutionised the coffee industry by simplifying brewing at home. The method will save you time and energy and produce a quality cup of coffee regularly.

The brewing method is the entry brewing method that many use to start their coffee journey. This method does not require any professional coffee brewing training and barista skills. The brewing method is commercialised and can be found on multiple shelves worldwide. Many supermarkets sell the French Press, making it accessible to any coffee lover.

The history of the magical little brewer

There is a long-time battle for the first patent of the French Press. In 1852, two Frenchmen patented the first French Press. Henri-Otto Mayer and Jacques-Victor Delforge worked together to create a coffee maker with a filter.

In 1924, Marcel-Pierre Paquet improved the existing product by including a sealed filter to ensure a higher quality plunge that would decrease the drifting coffee particles within the cup. However, A group of Italians was the first to patent the French Press.

The two Italians registered the patent in 1928, Attilio Calimani and Giulio Monta invented a vessel that can contain liquid, which allows individuals to infuse ground coffee or tea. A filter separates the ground coffee or tea with the extracted water, which is then consumed.

The Benefits of the French Press

The French Press will enable coffee lovers to brew coffee for multiple guests or a single serving. The brewer can be transported easily and orderly and takes little time to brew.

Any coffee lover can brew the French Press without all the fancy coffee equipment we all experience in coffee shops and on social media platforms.

The four variables that will enhance the flavour of the French Press

The French Press is a fantastic brewer for individuals starting their path of speciality coffee or those who enjoy quick and simple brewing methods at home.

Grind Size

The grind size of the plunger is critical. Without diving deep into the particular size and the impact of the space between every coffee, the grind size matters. The French Press is an immersion brewer, meaning the coffee and water spend time together inside the plunger.

This means that the grind size of the coffee should be medium to coarse. A coarser grind setting will enable individuals to extract the necessary flavour from the coffee. The coffee will taste acidic or sour if the grind is too fine.

If you receive fine or medium-grinded coffee, adjust your time and dose to ensure the coffee tastes fantastic. Individuals new to the coffee industry might need help figuring out where to start; thus, purchasing a French Press and buying grounded coffee is a great start.

A simple guideline is that the coffee should be courser than a filter or V60 grind setting.

Dose and Yield of the French Press

The dose and yield of the French Press vary based on the size of the brewer. The best method to ensure enough water to ground coffee is by using a recipe. A recipe or a ratio will enable you to find a good balance between water and coffee.

If there is too much ground coffee, the flavour can be heavy and strong. The flavour can be perceived as weak or watery once too much water is added to the ground coffee. Thus, having a ratio will ensure that the coffee tastes balanced.

A great rule of thumb is to brew Frech press coffee with a 1:14 Recipe. You should add 14 grams of water for every gram of ground coffee.

If the coffee is too strong or weak, adjusting the recipe will enhance the experience. Instead, use a 1:15 ratio if the coffee is too strong or a 1:13 ratio if the coffee perception is weak.

Brewing time of the French Press

Brewing time refers to when the water is in contact with the coffee inside the brewer. The French Press is an immersion brewer. This means the coffee will be immersed in the water throughout the brew.

Keeping a standard brewing time as you explore the French Press is crucial. The time will enable the water to extract all the tasty components from the coffee, ensuring you have a tasty cup.

The brew time can be adjusted according to your desire.

Standard time: 4.00 Minutes

Lighted Roasted Coffee: 4.30 minutes

Darker roasted Cofee: 3.30 Minutes

These adjustments ensure the coffee is well-extracted, leading to sour or thin-bodied coffee. Or to prevent flavours of bitterness as over-extracted coffee. The key is understanding what you like and brewing according to that preference.

The Press of the plunger

The Press of the plunger will not have a magnificent impact on the flavour of your coffee. The French press plunge aims to remove all floating coffee grounds, ensuring the end cup is clean.

A slow press will ensure that all the ground coffee is caught within the filter. A rapid press will lead to coffee particles, or floating coffee, to pass the filter. This will lead to coffee grounds in your cup. The coffee grounds will enhance the bitterness in the cup, so press slowly to ensure the coffee is clean and enjoyed without any coffee particles.

Water Temperature

The ideal water temperature for any manual brewing coffee method varies between 92 and 96 degrees Celsius. To simplify this, once it is off the boil, open the lid and let it stand for 2-4 minutes. This will ensure that the water temperature is between the ideal temperatures.

Boiling water will burn the coffee, leading to flavours of bitterness. The high temperature will enhance the extraction, leading to over-extraction and unpleasant tastes. If the water temperature is too low, the water will lack the energy to extract unique flavours from the coffee.

A recipe to start with

There are multiple recipes for a French press on the internet. Coffee lovers can invest in professional training and coffee courses to improve their home brewing skills, or they can find information online to assist them in finding a great recipe.

For A 350ml plunger

Dose: 25 grams of course grounded coffee

Water: 350ml

Time: 4 minutes

Process:

Pour the 25 grams of coffee into your plunger. Fill with 92 degree Celsius water (350ml). Stir the water and coffee to ensure that there are no dry spots. Let the plunger stand for 4.00 minutes. After 4 minutes, break the crust with a spoon. Place the plunger on top of the French Press and push down slowly. After pressing, pour out your coffee and enjoy.

For A 500ml plunger

Dose: 35 grams of course grounded coffee

Water: 350 ml

Time: 4 minutes

Process:

Pour the 35 grams of coffee into your plunger. Fill with 92 degree Celsius water (500ml). Stir the water and coffee to ensure that there are no dry spots. The plunger stands for 4.00 minutes. After 4 minutes, break the crust with a spoon. Place the plunger on top of the French Press and push down slowly. After pressing, pour out your coffee and enjoy.

Conclusion

The French Press is a great little brewer that can be used anywhere. The brewer provides individuals the opportunity to improve their coffee at home drastically. By moving to grounded beans and away from instant coffee, you will have better-tasting coffee that will boost your energy for longer.

Happy Brewing !

The History of the French Press: A brewing method that improves the home coffee experience