French Press Coffee
In short: A step-by-step guide to French press coffee: the right grind, water temperature and brew time for a rich, full-bodied cup. It takes about 10 min in total and makes 2 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Total
- 10 min
- Servings
- 2
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 5 kcal
A French press makes a full-bodied cup with almost no skill, because the coffee steeps in the water instead of dripping through a filter. Oils and fine particles stay in the cup, which is why the coffee tastes rounder and heavier than filter coffee. Three things matter: a coarse grind, water just off the boil and a four-minute timer. Pour out all the coffee as soon as you press, or it keeps brewing and turns bitter.
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil, then take it off the heat and let it stand for 30 to 60 seconds, until it is about 93°C (200°F). Pour a splash into the empty French press, swirl to warm the glass and tip it out.
- Add the ground coffee to the press. Pour in about 100 ml (scant 1/2 cup) of the hot water and stir gently. Wait 30 seconds while the coffee blooms and puffs up.
- Pour in the rest of the water and place the lid on top, with the plunger still pulled up. Start a timer for 4 minutes.
- When the timer ends, press the plunger down slowly and steadily, over about 20 seconds. Stop when it reaches the bottom and do not force it.
- Pour all the coffee out right away into mugs or a warmed flask. Coffee left on the grounds keeps extracting and turns bitter.
- Serve black, or add milk and sugar to taste.
Tips
- If the coffee tastes sour or weak, grind a little finer or brew for 30 seconds longer. If it tastes harsh or bitter, grind coarser or press at 3 1/2 minutes.
- Use fresh beans and grind them just before brewing. Pre-ground coffee goes stale quickly and tastes flat.
Questions and answers
What is the ratio of coffee to water for a French press?
A good starting point is 1 part coffee to 15 parts water by weight, which is about 32 g of coffee for 500 ml of water. Use less for a lighter cup or more for a stronger one.
Why is there sediment in my French press coffee?
Fine particles slip through the metal mesh. Use a coarse grind, pour gently and leave the last sip in the cup, or pour the coffee through a paper filter.
How long can French press coffee sit?
Pour it out right after pressing. If it stays on the grounds it keeps extracting and tastes bitter. Transfer leftovers to a thermos, where they stay good for an hour or two.
How long does it take to make French Press Coffee?
About 10 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in French Press Coffee?
About 5 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 1 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 5 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 1 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
