Although I rarely drink coffee now due to health reasons, there was a period of my life when I was drinking two to three lattes a day at work, enjoying the occasional redeye (drip coffee with a shot of espresso), and brewing my own coffee at home on the weekends. I worked as a writer for a company specializing in espresso machines and other gourmet beverage products, so I learned more about coffee, tea, and espresso over the course of a year than most people learn in a lifetime.
It’s with my knowledge of all manner of coffee makers that I would like to make a declaration: the French press is the ideal mode of apartment coffee brewing. It’s compact, it’s economical, and it brews a rich, flavorful cup of coffee. Rather than spending three or four dollars every morning on the way to work, a French press can brew a quick cup that you can pour in a travel mug and go. But where do you begin?
When choosing a French press, there’s one main factor to consider: how many people are you brewing for? French presses typically come in 3, 8, and 12-cup sizes, however these are 4 oz. cups. What most people consider to be a medium cup of coffee at your local cafe would be almost an entire 3-cup French press, so purchase accordingly.
There are also a number of different styles of French presses. There are standard-style presses, presses with stainless steel accents, presses built for durability, and even electric French presses. There are also ceramic and double-walled glass presses, both of which may keep your coffee warmer for a bit longer, but not worth the extra cash in my opinion. Plus, you don’t want to leave coffee in the press too long after it’s finished brewing or it will over-extract and become bitter.
Once you have a press, here’s a quick guide on how to use it:
1. Remove the filter and add 1 tbs. of coarsely ground coffee per 4 oz. cup of coffee you’re brewing. Freshly ground is best (you can purchase blade grinders for under $20).
2. Bring water to a boil then allow to cool for about one minute.
3. Pour into the glass carafe and stir the grounds for just a moment (use a wooden spoon to avoid breaking the glass). Put the lid on the carafe with the plunger all the way up and allow the coffee to steep, 2-3 minutes for a small press, and 4-7 minutes for a larger press. It’s really a matter of taste, so try out a few different times and see what’s best for you.
4. Once the coffee has steeped for the desired amount of time, push the plunger straight down slowly to ensure no grounds escape.
5. Serve and enjoy immediately.
