How to Use a French Press Coffee Maker
May 23rd, 2010 Posted in Coffee Makers | No Comments »Do you enjoy a nice cup of coffee? Perhaps it’s that cup that gets you going in the morning, or maybe you like to relax in the afternoon with a cup of gourmet coffee and a magazine. But have you ever considered how you actually make your coffee?
The vast majority of coffee drinkers make their coffee using the common filter-type coffeemaker. These coffeemakers are certainly the most popular; almost every coffee drinker has one, and you see them in almost every office snack room. But did you know there’s another way to make coffee? A method that leaves the natural oils intact, enhancing both the taste and aroma?
I’m referring to about making coffee using a French Press. A French Press doesn’t use filters. It’s a glass beaker with a special top that has a metal screen attached to the end of a handle. The metal screen is circular and fits perfectly into the glass beaker. When you press the handle down, it pushes the screen through the container, pushing all the coffee grinds to the bottom. What you’re left with is a delicious cup of coffee that still contains all the essential coffee oils.
With the standard paper filter coffeemaker, the paper filter actually ends up filtering out not only the grinds, but the natural oils found in the coffee beans. A French Press, because of its design, leaves those oils in, enhancing the coffee’s flavor and aroma.
If you think you’d like to try a French Press, get coffee that is coarse ground as opposed to fine. You can buy coarse ground coffee in any supermarket. Some supermarkets even have grinding stations where you take a bag of whole beans and grind them right on the spot. A home grinder is also very affordable and can be had for less than $20. If you’re a coffee aficionado, your own grinder and a membership in a gourmet coffee club can be a very potent combination!
The general rule for using a French Press to make your coffee is to use one slightly heaping tablespoon of ground coffee for each cup you want to make. After adding the grounds into the beaker, add very hot (but not quite boiling) water. Now put the top on the French Press, but don’t press it down yet. Let it sit for a few minutes, then slowly push the handle down, pushing the metal screen through the water and driving the grinds to the bottom.
Now pour into your favorite mug, add a small amount of cream and a tiny bit of honey, and get ready to enjoy best-tasting, most delicious cup of coffee you’ll ever drink!
If getting started with a French Press sounds like something you want to do, you should consider membership in a gourmet coffee club. Many of them offer free gifts. One such club is Gevalia Kaffe. There are many Gevalia offers where you can get free coffee makers, travel mugs, carafes and more.