Coffee Press Instructions

Tasting coffee from a coffee press for the first time is an awakening! Even if you are not a coffee connoisseur, you will immediately recognize the difference between French press coffee and coffee from an auto-drip machine. Once you try it, you’ll never want to have it any other way. It’s that good. Below I will explain how to brew coffee in your coffee press.

Coffee:

You should choose coffee beans that can be coarsely ground at home or coffee ground coarsley in the store. Finely ground coffee may get caught in the filter which will make the plunger difficult to depress.

Amount of Coffee:

I recommend 1 to 2 large tablespoon of coffee for every 8 oz of water. If you enjoy a stronger brew, you can use more. You may have to experiment to get the taste desired.

Steps for Brewing:

1. Bring a kettle of cold, filtered water to a boil. While you are waiting for the water to heat, fill your coffee press with hot tap water. Pre-heating the carafe will keep your coffee hot.
   
2. Once the water starts to boil, remove your kettle from the heat and wait a few moments to allow the water to cool slightly. Pour the tap water out of your coffee press.
   
3. Place your coarsely ground coffee into the press.
   
4. Slowly pour the water over the grounds, filling the coffee press to the desired level. Many of the grounds will rise to the top. You can gently stir the water and most of them will sink to the bottom.
   
5. Replace the lid and plunger on top of the press, keeping the filter at the top and depress about 1 inch down into the brew. Allow the coffee to steep for about 4 minutes.
   
6. While your coffee is brewing, warm up your coffee cup by pouring warm water into it. Allow the water to set for a minute and then pour it out.
   
7. After 4 minutes have passed, hold the lid with one hand and gently press the plunger down to the bottom. If you notice resistance while you are plunging, gently pull up on the plunger and then continue to press down. Do not press at an angle. Press straight down to avoid breaking the glass.
8. Allow the sediment to settle for about 30 seconds.
   
9. Now you may pour the hot coffee into your warmed mug. Add your cream, milk or sweetener if you prefer. Take a sip. What you are tasting is coffee at its finest.

The coffee press, or plunger pot, is a simple, primitive, elegant way to make good coffee. It is rich, creamy and full of flavor and natural coffee oils. You will never go back to those huge, space-hogging, expensive drip coffee machines again. The coffee press may be a little more labor intensive but it is worth the effort.