In my opinion, french press coffee is the easiest to make in the gourmet coffee category. Its also my favourite method too. Here’s why:
1. You don’t lose the coffee oils. Unlike paper filters, metal filters used in french press leave the oils intact inside the brewed coffee. Some people might argue that a paper filter method yields a cleaner cup (which I do not disagree), however, I prefer the tastier cup of a french press brew.
2. Convenience. The french press brews by itself for 4 minutes. Usually I can have other things done while waiting. You will be amazed how much time you can save in a year with that extra 4 minutes a day.
3. Lesser steps. I would warm the cup and plunger in one step. While waiting, I would put 2 scoops of beans into the grinder and place the pot directly under the grinder’s sprout while I start the machine. Hot water goes directly into the pot. Fast and efficient.
4. Environmentally friendly. No extra waste generated and no extra electricity used while you indulge in your coffee.
5. Maintenance free. Perhaps only after a long time when you need to change the metal mesh of your plunger if too much ground enters the coffee when you pour.
6. Portable. I bring my gear everywhere I go in a small bag as I had enough of bad coffee outside.
However, to have a great cup of coffee using french press or any other method requires some attention to the following:
a) You gotta use good tasting water. Water from different sources taste differently. If you don’t believe me, go try different brands of bottled water, water straight from your tap and water from different brands of home filters. There are “things” in the water that affects its taste (such as calcium, chlorine, fluorine, etc) and if you are attentive enough, you can taste them.
b) No pre-ground coffee. I have tested this and found it to be a universal truth. The taste of pre-ground is just different from fresh ground, no matter what degree of roast your coffee takes. Use a manual burr grinder like Hario Slim or invest in an electric one for added convenience. May I add that it must be burr grinder for more even grounds.
courtesy from Jason Teale of ulsanonline.com
c) Use not-too-hot water (temperature). Again, I tested this concept to arrive at this conclusion. Take it from me and other coffee professionals, unless you like to experiment it yourself. If you have a thermos with temperature gauge, set it to about 90 deg Celsius or (190 deg Fahrenheit) and it would be sufficient hot (and lower electricity bills!) for most beverages.
d) Lastly, get freshly roasted AND well stored coffee beans. Freshly roasted is not good enough if the beans are exposed to the elements which make them deteriorate fast. The bags should guard the beans against excessive light, oxygen, any humidity and extreme temperature fluctuations.
I have made a short video on how to brew a cup of gourmet coffee using a french press pot. Hope that shed some light on this method of brewing.
