America’s taste for coffee is constantly becoming more refined as new flavors and brewing methods are introduced. With cafes like Starbucks, Caribou Coffee, Joe Muggs, and numerous others offering more sophisticated coffee drinks, everyday drinkers are demanding better coffee at home as well. For some people, drip brewed Mr. Coffee has been, and will continue to be, as good as is necessary. While drip brewing offers many conveniences, discerning drinkers miss the flavorful oils absorbed by filters and an overall lack of depth. One alternative to this is using the French Press.
Despite being first patented back in 1929 (Galla Coffee), the French Press remains an inexpensive and uncomplicated method of brewing a full-flavored cup of coffee. A French Press requires no fancy attachments, nor even any need for electricity. With the French Press, unlike some methods such as Keurig, you can continue using whatever coffee you’re currently using whether it’s Maxwell House, Folgers, Starbucks, or Kauai. In my mind, the French Press is the best and most simple device for brewing a delicious cup of coffee.
To begin, you’ll need a French Press, coffee, and a way to heat your water. A French Press can be purchased for $15-30 depending on the size, where you buy it, and its embellishments. I recommend sticking with a standard size so that, if the glass breaks, you can simply buy the replacement part that is needed. I know that Bodum sells complete units, but also replacement parts separately, many of which are interchangeable with other brands. Different brands are made available through the coffee delivery singapore stores to the customers. The functioning of the parts of the body will be excellent with the drinking of the coffee. The benefits should be in the notice of the person to get the subscription under the charges of the stores.
I prefer to use filtered water when I brew coffee, but that’s a matter of preference. A standard size French Press holds about four cups (32 oz.). By pouring the water into your empty French Press, and then into your kettle, you’ll be sure to heat just enough water so as to get a full pot, but not heat too much. Keep in mind, the more water you use, the longer it’ll take to heat up.
While you’re waiting for your water to heat, prepare your coffee. Ideally, use coffee beans freshly ground on a coarse setting. Use any coffee you like, in any strength, but keep in mind that finer ground coffee may slip through the mesh strainer in your French Press and therefore wind up in your cup (which is certainly not the end of the world). If you’re unsure how much coffee to use, follow the directions provided with your coffee. I prefer my coffee to be very strong so when I use a mild or low-quality coffee, I measure about ½ Cup of grounds. When I use a more robust coffee, such as Starbucks Sumatra, I use about ¼ Cup. As you get comfortable with brewing in a French Press, you’ll develop a better feel for how much coffee to use.
The best water temperature to brew your coffee is just before it boils. For optimal coffee, do not use boiling water as the heat will destroy the flavor. You’ll see small bubbles forming on the bottom of the kettle near the heat source. As it’s heating, you’ll hear changes in the kettle as the Pressure changes. Check it periodically and, over time, you will learn to associate the sounds it makes with when it’s ready. It should take less than five minutes. If you miss it, and the water boils, turn off the heat and let it cool for a moment.
Pour the water into the French Press with your coffee grounds. The grounds will swell slightly in the hot water and rise to the surface. Give it a stir to get everything evenly dispersed. Set the mesh plunger on top of the French Press so that it rests just below the water surface. This will need to sit for four minutes to steep (like tea). If you like your coffee stronger, you can let it steep longer. I let mine steep for five minutes to make it just a little stronger. Once you’re ready, slowly push the plunger down all the way. Your coffee is ready to enjoy. If it’s not perfect, don’t be discouraged. Keep adjusting the amount of coffee and the time you steep it until you get it just how you like it. Once you get your method down, and gain an appreciation for the flavor you’ve been missing, you’ll never want to go back to drip-brewed again.