How to use the French Press: Your Ultimate Guide

If you're a coffee connoisseur, then the French press is undoubtedly your go-to tool. It's a time-saving, effortless way to brew coffee with a smooth and rich taste. This classic brewing method has become an essential part of coffee culture, even earning the title of "underestimated brewing method" by James Hoffman in "The World Atlas of Coffee." In this blog, we'll delve into the manufacturing process, working principles, and usage techniques of the French press, enhancing your brewing experience to perfection.

Origin and Principle of the French Press:

The French press is a fully immersed brewing device equipped with a metal mesh filter. This design retains more oils and fewer coffee grounds during extraction, resulting in a richer taste. The invention of the French press has an interesting story. A Frenchman poured coffee into water before it boiled. If the water boiled first, coffee grounds would float on the surface, ruining the brew. Thinking on his feet, he bought a piece of wire mesh and placed it over a boiling pot. Using a stick, he pressed the mesh along with the coffee grounds down and poured out the coffee liquid. Surprisingly, it tasted good.

However, the French press structure we see today was created by Faliero Bondanini in 1958. He added a filter and a rotatable mesh in the lid, making it more convenient to brew tea and coffee with the French press. This adjustment led to the French press craze in Europe.

Tips for Using the French Press:

Using a French press is simple. Just pour ground coffee into the French press, add hot water, and quickly stir the mixture with a spoon to ensure thorough blending while keeping the filter at the top. Once blended, press the top to push the filter from the top to the bottom, completing the brewing process.

However, to achieve an excellent brewing experience, pay attention to the following points:

Summary:

The French press can be considered one of the most well-designed and top-selling coffee tools in history. Despite the passage of time, it has not disappeared into the annals of history. Apart from its stable taste and flavor expression, its portability and ease of use are its greatest features. Perhaps the French press isn't the fastest or best coffee-making tool, but it certainly adds a touch of refinement and fun to our "coffee routine."