If you love coffee, you might want to try making it with a French press. A French press is a simple device that allows you to brew coffee by steeping coarsely ground beans in hot water and then pressing them down with a metal filter. This method produces a rich and flavorful cup of coffee that has more body and aroma than other methods. 

In this article, we will show you how to make French press coffee at home, and what are the benefits and drawbacks of this brewing method. We will also give you some tips on how to choose the best coffee beans and grind size for your French press.

How to make French press coffee

French press coffee is considered one of the best coffees out there. we made this section for the people who want to enjoy French press coffee and making it themself at home with very simple steps.

Step 1:  

Boil some water in a kettle or a pot. You will need about 200 ml of water for each cup of coffee you want to make.

Step 2: 

Grind some coffee beans to a coarse consistency. You will need about 15 grams of coffee for each cup of water. You can use a burr grinder or a blade grinder, but make sure the grind size is not too fine or too coarse.

Step 3: 

Put the ground coffee into the French press and shake it gently to level the bed of coffee.

Step 4: 

Pour some hot water over the coffee, enough to wet all the grounds. This is called blooming, and it helps release the gases and flavors from the coffee. Wait for about 30 seconds, then stir the coffee gently with a spoon.

Step 5: 

Pour the rest of the hot water over the coffee, filling up the French press. Put the lid on, but do not press down the plunger yet. Let the coffee steep for about 4 minutes, or longer if you prefer a stronger brew.

Step 6: 

Slowly press down the plunger until it reaches the bottom of the French press. This will separate the coffee grounds from the liquid.

Step 7: 

Pour the coffee into your cup and enjoy! You can add milk, sugar, or other flavorings if you like.

French press pros and cons

Brewing coffee with a French press has some benefits and drawbacks that you might want to consider before trying it. Here are some of them:

Benefits:

• French press coffee is rich in flavor and aroma, as it allows the oils and compounds from the coffee beans to be fully extracted and preserved. It also gives you more control over the brewing process, as you can adjust the grind size, water temperature, and steeping time to suit your preference.
• French press coffee is easy and simple to make, as it only requires a few steps and equipment. You just need a French press, a kettle, a grinder, and some coffee beans. You can also brew as much or as little coffee as you want, depending on the size of your French press.
• French press coffee is eco-friendly and economical, as it does not use any paper filters or electricity. It also reduces waste and saves money, as you can use any type of coffee beans and reuse the coffee grounds for other purposes, such as composting or gardening.

Drawbacks:

• French press coffee can be gritty and bitter, as it may contain some fine coffee grounds that pass through the metal filter. It can also be over-extracted if you let it steep for too long or use too fine a grind size. This can result in a harsh and unpleasant taste.
• French press coffee can raise your cholesterol levels, as it contains more cafestol and kahweol, two substances that can increase the production of LDL (bad) cholesterol in your body. These substances are usually filtered out by paper filters in other brewing methods, but not by the metal filter in a French press.
• French press coffee can lose its heat and freshness quickly, as it does not have a heating element or an insulated carafe to keep it warm. You have to drink it right away or transfer it to another container to prevent it from becoming cold or stale.

French press types

There are three main types of French press coffee makers:

Glass French press: Transparent and elegant, but fragile and heat-losing.

Stainless steel French press: Durable and insulated, but expensive and heavy.

Ceramic or stoneware French press: Rustic and cozy, but fragile and chippable.

Here is a comparison of the three types: