French Press
French press: a rich, full textured cup
Who can claim the early 1920s invention of the coffee plunger, la cafetière, the press pot or the French press has been disputed among Italians, French and Swiss. As legends go, the press’s origin story involves a Frenchman who was boiling water to make coffee without first adding the grounds. Once added, the coffee rose to the surface. As this was the last of his coffee, he wanted to save it for reuse, and bought a piece of metal screen from an Italian merchant who was passing by.
Brewing details
| Method | French press |
| Origin | France |
| Coffee | Medium - dark roasts |
| Filter | Mesh |
| Grind Size | Coarse |
|
Time |
5-10 minutes |
Can the French press be used for specialty coffee?
Oui, merci! George Howell – an American Specialty Coffee pioneer in the early 1970s – used the French press specifically to serve special origin coffee.
Brewing process
| Step 1 |
Place the pot on a flat surface. Hold the handle and pull out the plunger. |
| Step 2 |
Add a heaping tablespoon of coffee to the pot per 200 ml (6.7 oz) of water. |
| Step 3 |
Pour hot water – not boiling – into the pot, and gently stir. |
| Step 4 |
Reinsert the plunger, stopping above the water and coffee. |
| Step 5 |
Wait 3-4 minutes and press the plunger down slowly, exerting steady pressure. |
| Step 6 |
Rinse the coffee maker with mild detergent and let dry thoroughly. |