French Press

Learn this tried and true coffee brewing method

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello, listeners, I cannot thank you enough for stopping by
for what I know is your favorite podcast, The Coffee
and Cafe Podcast, a podcast dedicated to all of our
favorite beans and all of you caffeine addicts and fiends
out there. To Day's episode is going to be a
pretty simple one, but a tried and true good thing

(00:24):
to know. To Day's episode is all about French press coffee.
I could not find the drum roll sound effect in time.
The French press, also known as a press pot or
coffee plunger, was first patented in nineteen twenty nine by

(00:46):
Italian designer at Tilio Calamini. However, the method of brewing
coffee through immersion and pressing his earlier roots, dating back
to the early nineteenth century, when a similar design was
developed in France. This method of brewing coffee was initially

(01:07):
popularized in Europe and became widely recognized as the French
press in English speaking countries. Over the decades, the French
press gained favor due to its simplicity, the ability to
extract rich coffee flavors, and the visual appeal of its design.

(01:30):
It became a symbol of artisanal, hand crafted coffee, especially
with the rise of specialty coffee movements in the nineteen
nineties and early two thousands. Here is a step by
step guide to the French press brewing process. Boil water
to about two hundred degrees fahrenheit just below the boiling point.

(01:55):
Add fresh ground coarse coffee beans to the French press,
generally one to two tablespoons per six ounces of water.
Pour in the hot water, making sure the coffee grounds
are fully saturated. Stir the mixture gently to insure even extraction.

(02:19):
Place the lid on the French press, but do not
press down the plunger yet. Let the coffee steep for
four minutes. This can be adjusted based on taste preferences.
Slowly press the plunger down to separate the grounds from
the brood coffee. Serve immediately and enjoy. One of the

(02:44):
best things about French press brewing is you can literally
make your coffee however you want to. It is not
a push button and sit back and wait kind of thing.
The ideal ratio for coffee to water and brewing time

(03:07):
is generally around one to fifteen, meaning one gram of
coffee for every fifteen grams of water. Brew Times vary,
but around four minutes tence to bring out the best flavor,
though it can be adjusted for stronger or lighter tastes

(03:29):
as can be The coffee water should be just off
the boil about two hundred degrees fahrenheit. Too hot and
it could over extract the coffee, making it bitter. Too
cool when the coffee will be under extracted and weak.

(03:50):
Choosing the right coffee beans is essential. Erubica beans, known
for their smooth, duanced flavors, are often favored for French
press coffee, offering a wider range of complex taste notes.

(04:12):
Robustav beans, these beans are stronger, more bitter, and contain
more caffeine. They are not as common for French press brewing,
but may appeal to those who prefer a boulder, more
intense coffee. French press brewing is an excellent method for
highlighting the distinct characteristics of single origin coffee beans from

(04:35):
reasons like Ethiopia, Columbia or Guatemala. Blends can offer a
more balanced and consistent flavor. Of course, consistent grind is key.
Too fine a grind can result in over extraction and sludge,
while to coarse a grind will lead to under extraction.

(05:01):
Here's why a grind size is critical. In French press coffee,
the grounds are in direct contact with the water for
several minutes. A coarse grind ensures that the coffee grounds
do not escape through the mesh filter and clog it
up while preventing over extraction. If the grind is too fine,

(05:24):
coffee grounds might pass through the filter and the brew
will be bitter and murky. Using a grind that's too
fine can result in bitter coffee, while a grind that's
two course might produce weak, under extracted coffee. The grind
size should resemble breadcrumbs, neither powdery nor chunky. The immersion

(05:50):
method extracts oils and flavors from the coffee grounds, resulting
in a richer, fuller bodied brew. It also retains more
coffee oils, which contributes to a thicker, more flavorful coffee.
Drip coffee uses a paper filter to separate the coffee

(06:11):
grounds from the browed liquid, resulting in a cleaner, lighter
cup of coffee. Full immersion or French press coffee, allows
for more robust flavor, while the plunger presses the grounds
to extract more oils and particles pour over coffee involves

(06:32):
manually pouring hot water over coffee grounds, resulting in a
cleaner cup with more control over the brewing process. French press,
compared to expresso, produces a less concentrated, smoother cup of
coffee with more body, and it doesn't rely on high pressure.

(06:54):
Expresso creates a dense, concentrated coffee with a thick krema
due to the high high pressure involved in the extraction.
Like any other coffee pot, the French brust must be cleaned,
disassemble the French press and rents the components immediately after use.

(07:15):
To prevent coffee oils from building up, wash the caraffe
plunger and filter with water. Although cleaning once a week
with vinegar or specialized coffee cleaner will prevent oils and
residue from affecting the flavor. Over time, coffee oils can

(07:36):
build up on the plunger and mesh filter, affecting the
coffee's tastes. Regular cleaning is essential to avoid rancid flavors.
In sure the mesh filter is free of blockages, and
replace it if it becomes damaged or ineffective. French press
coffee tends to have a fuller body and a more

(07:59):
intense flavored due to the unfiltered coffee oils. This results
in a rich, aromatic coffee with deep, robust flavors and
a slight sediment at the bottom. A longer brewing time
allows for more extraction, which can enhance body and flavor,

(08:20):
but may also lead to bitterness if brood too long.
The grind size affects the surface area of the coffee,
influencing the great and uniformity of extraction. The purity and
mineral content of water can significantly impact the flavor. Filtered
or spring water is often recommended for the best to taste.

(08:46):
Here's some ways to enhance your French press. Add a
pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or carnamom to the coffee grounds
before brewing to infuse additional flavors. As spices complement the
coffee's natural aroma and enhance the experience for a rich,

(09:07):
creamy texture. Some coffee drinkers add butter, coconut oil, or
ghee to their French Press coffee, creating a unique variation
known as bulletproof coffee. Vanilla, caramel, hazelnut, and other syrups
can be added after brewing for a sweeter, more indulgent cup.

(09:31):
Non dairy milks like almond or oat milk can also
be used for a different texture. The French press is
an excellent vessel for making cold brew coffee as well,
which requires steeping coarsely ground coffee and cold water for
twelve to twenty four hours. Once these steeping processes complete,

(09:53):
the plunger is used to filter the coffee grounds. Cold
brew is less acidic, smoother, and has a higher caffeine
content than traditional hot brewed coffee. The process of steeping
coffee in cold water extracts different compounds compared to hot brewing.
The French press is a sustainable option compared to single

(10:15):
use coffee pods like CA cups, which generate significant waste.
With a French press, you only need coffee and water,
both of which are recyclable and biodegradable. Look for certified,
fair Trade, organic or shade Groom coffee beans. These options
ensure that the coffee is grown under environmentally friendly conditions

(10:38):
and the farmers are compensated fairly. Folks. Unfortunately, that's all
the time we've got for today's episode of Coffee and Cafe,
but we've barely scratched the surface. We'll dive more into
the French press on next week and until then,