While there are plenty of ways to make a good cup of coffee, the French Press method may be one of the easiest ways to follow. While many opt for a machine with a heating element, the french press allows for a fresh and fast cup of coffee without the chance of scorching your coffee and leaving a burnt taste on the last cup.  

Ingredients:

• 400 grams of water
• 2.25 teaspoons of coarse to medium ground coffee

Step One: Hot Fresh Water

Bring 400 grams of water to a boil using a kettle. You can use a self-heating kettle or boil water using the stove. You should ensure the water is or any other heating device.

Optional: You can warm us the glass vessel of the French press with excess hot water from your kettle, This will allow the heat levels to remain neutral as your coffee steeps. The best temperature is between 200 -2012 degrees if you want to whip out your meat thermometer. 

Step Two: Measure The Grounds 

Place ground coffee in the brewing chamber of the French Press. Make sure you shake the press to level the grounds evenly into the chamber.

Step Three: Add The Hot Water

Carefully pour the hot water into the French Press. Be sure to pour the water slowly and in a swirled motion to rinse any coffee ground that climbs the edges.

Optional: Bloom your coffee before pouring all the water into your french press and allowing it to sit for 30 seconds to a minute. The Technique of "Blooming" allows the coffee to displace excess CO2 that naturally occurs during the roasting process. You will see a slight bubbling in the coffee as the hot water allows the CO2 to escape the grounds. This allows for an enhanced taste. 

Step Four: Stir and Let it Sit

Use a spoon to stir any grounds that floated from the top back to the bottom of the press. Set a timer for 6 to 8 minutes and place the top of the plunger on the press. While 6 to 8 minutes seems like a long stretch, it really depends on your coffee grind and taste preference. If you prefer a subtle flavor, go for the shorter time, you can steep coffee for up to 8 minutes without reaching bitterness. 

Step Five: Plunge and Enjoy

After the timer goes off, press the plunger down on the French Press slowly until the bottom is reached. All the grounds will stay put at the bottom of the press while your coffee will be on top of the filter. Pour brewed coffee into a mug and enjoy!

Optional: Only make as much coffee as you need or transport your leftover coffee into a carafe to reduce bitterness. Because there are still coffee grounds in the bottom, the coffee can over brew and this will result in an oily and overly bitter coffee. It can turn even the best cup of joe into sludge. 

How do you make your coffee?