Ours looks nicer, but why does theirs taste so much better? Photo by Sanja Gjenero | SXC.
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KAREN HOCHMAN is Editorial Director of THE NIBBLE.
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October 2006
Updated June 2009
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How To Make Good Coffee
Page 4: French Press Coffee
This is Page 4 of a four-page article. Click on the black links below to visit other pages.
The Press Pot: Preparing French Press Coffee
Some people think the perfect cup of coffee can only come from a French press. The ground coffee is put into the pot, and the water added on top of it. This method can be used to make just one cup or 12—the press units come in every size. Try it to see if it works for you. The beautiful press pots also look lovely on the table.
- Pull the plunger unit straight up and out of the pot.
- Boil the water before you grind the coffee. Then it will be at the perfect temperature when you are ready to pour it in.
- Grind your coffee with a medium grind, and scoop one heaping tablespoon (7g, or one coffee measure) of coffee into the pot per 6 ounces of water. (You can adjust these to your personal preference depending on how strong you like your coffee.)
- Add the almost-boiling water to the pot, rotating the pot to saturate the grounds evenly. Fill with water, usually to the handle-level.
- Stir the coffee a few times quickly to increase the contact with the grounds (and the extraction). We use a chopstick rather than a spoon because of its length, and lack of metal contact. The goal is to get a “crema” to form at the top.
- Affix the plunger unit to keep the coffee warm, and let steep for 2-3 minutes for a small pot, 4 minutes for a larger pot. Then press the plunger through the water slowly, using slight pressure. Using too much force can cause the hot coffee to shoot out from the spout of the pot.
- When pouring, hold on to the lid for security. Then, enjoy your coffee! Be sure to scrub the pot after each use to remove the oils that adhere to the glass.
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Bodum Eileen 8-Cup Coffee Press. Functional
and fashionable, the Art Deco Eileen design is
one of our favorite pieces of “kitchen art.” Click here for more information or to purchase. |
Frieling Stainless-Steel 35-Ounce French Press. This handsome, carafe-style pot is made of double-wall 18/10 stainless-steel. Click here for more information or to purchase. |
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