Brewing Coffee like a Pro: How to Use a French Press

The French press is the most popular method of coffee brewing in Europe and Australia, and is quickly gaining popularity in the United States. As Americans struggle to cut back on unnecessary spending, pricey café beverages are taking a hit. French presses, also known as coffee presses or plunger pots, are inexpensive. They are also seen as classy, providing the freshest possible cup of coffee in a coffee-house fashion - without the price.

The French press consists of two basic parts: a cylindrical glass carafe and a steel mesh filter attached to the carafe's lid with a plunger mechanism. The coffee and water brew unhindered in the carafe, then the plunger pushes the steel mesh down to separate the brewed coffee from the grinds. It's a simple enough mechanism, but is it the right brewing method for your needs? Its inexpensive nature is appealing, but keep two important points in mind. The French press is best used to make smaller amounts of coffee (for one or two people). It is also designed for brewing coffee that will be poured and consumed immediately. If you intend to drink more than one cup of coffee from a French press batch, you'll need to pour it into a thermos, as it will continue brewing in the carafe.

Brewing coffee with a French press is simple if you know how to do it. Aside from the French press itself, you will need quality whole coffee beans, a measuring spoon, a coffee grinder and a kettle or other mechanism for heating the water. The electric coffee grinder is inexpensive and allows for the freshest possible coffee; however, if you don't have one, pre-ground coffee beans will work.

As you boil the water, grind the whole coffee beans to a coarse grind. Do not use anything smaller than a coarse grind - it can clog the steel mesh and/or mix the actual grounds into your coffee. Many people also find it helpful to fill the carafe with warm tap water, to keep the glass from cooling the boiled water too quickly. Then, measure your coarsely ground coffee into the empty carafe with your measuring spoon. The correct amount of ground coffee to use varies by individual taste, so it's a good idea to experiment a bit. A good starting point is 1 tablespoon of coarsely ground coffee per 5 ounces of boiling water. Pour the boiling water over the freshly ground coffee in the carafe.

Most of the coffee will float when the water is first poured in, but that's okay. Place the lid/steel mesh mechanism roughly 1-2 inches into the brew, but do not press down all the way yet. This pushes the floating coffee into the water, allowing it to brew properly. Allow the coffee to steep for four minutes; you can adjust the steeping time later to meet your tastes. While you're waiting for your coffee to steep, the warm tap water trick can also work on your coffee cup or mug - coffee brewed with a French press is not meant to be re-warmed.

When your coffee has finished steeping, it's time to use the pressing mechanism. Holding the lid and carafe firmly with one hand, use the other to press slowly and firmly down on the plunger into the brewed coffee while keeping the wire mesh filter even in the carafe. Be careful, though: if you push too fast, you can cause water to shoot out and burn you. Allow the coffee to settle for a few seconds, then turn the lid to the correct position and pour. With a little experience, you'll get a smooth, satisfying cup of coffee every time.