Project Description

And, why it pays to be a patient plunger!

How do you make a perfect cafetière (aka French Press or coffee plunger) of coffee? What are the most common mistakes that baristas and other coffee-lovers make during the process? What’s the key to avoiding ground coffee particles collecting on the drink’s surface every time, weakening flavour, texture and aesthetic appeal? And, how can you absolutely ensure a lovely tasting drink, brew after brew after brew?

Take it step by step, and never rush

1. Always use coffee grounds, not beans

2. Use a coarse, almost grit-like grind

3. Ratios? For a 6-cup cafetière, aim for 48g of ground coffee per 800ml hot water

4. Always warm up the cafetière first, preheating it and the cups with hot water

5. Sprinkle your coffee grounds into the cafetière, always using fresh grounds

6. Pour in 1/3 of hot water

7. Leave to stand for half a minute, no longer

Then:

8. Add the remaining two thirds of hot water

9. Now steel yourself to be patient. Leave the French Press to stand for three minutes, and not less than that

10. Stir the coffee a little, breaking the crusty top surface of it

11. Place the plunger on top of the cafetière, then pause…

12. When ten seconds have elapsed, the coffee will have settled

13. Slowly and in a measured way, press down on the plunger

14. Re-plunge, if needs be

Your coffee should now be ready to pour. Enjoy.

“C’est magnifique.” Full-bodied coffee devotees LOVE French Press

French Press-served coffee is always a full-bodied drink, perhaps explaining its popularity. So, if full-bodied coffee’s definitely you’re thing, you’ll already be a French Press coffee enthusiast. Hope this article helps you to refine your cafetière coffee-making skills. And if you’re new to all this, why not (ahem) take the plunge!? Cafetières aren’t particularly pricey (do check all your cupboards before purchasing, as a housemate may already have one, in fact), and this way of making a pure, fresh brew whenever you feel the need is easy and inexpensive.