How to Brew: The French Press

The History of The French Press

The French Press is hands down both the easiest entry vessel for making coffee and the most legitimate for getting to the heart of the coffee that you are wanting to make. One will not get the “clean cup” that other brewing approaches offer, but one will assuredly be provided with one of the most real cups possible. Because the French Press does not use paper filters--opting, instead, for a metal mesh strainer/filter--one enjoys the natural oils of whatever coffee one is brewing.

Also known as a “Press Pot” or a “Coffee Plunger”, the first rudimentary French Press was invented by Henri-Otto Mayer and Jacques-Victor Delforge in 1852. This design lacked the tight seal and allowed a notable degree of course filtration, leading to a rather inconsist brews. In 1929, Attilio Calimani added a metal filter and the cylindrical glass beaker. In 1958, Faliero Bondanini standardized the mesh plunger system, tight seal, and carafe form we see today. 

How to Brew a French Press

Step 1: Grind coffee to a course setting. We use a 1:16 or 1:18 ratio. If you have a 34 oz French Press, you’ll use between 63 and 56 grams of coffee respectively. 

Step 2: Heat a kettle of water to around 205 degrees. Pour water into the french press and ensure all coffee is saturated.

Step 3: Give the coffee a single stir with a spoon and cover the French Press with the lid without disturbing the grounds. 

Step 4: Let the coffee steep for 4 minutes. Some recommend giving another stir to agitate the grounds and letting it rest a further minute or two.

Step 5: Press the plunger down slowly. Pour right away so that it no longer continues to brew.

Photo by Sorin Gheorghita on Unsplash