It’s Monday. Who doesn’t need coffee on Monday? When Lindsay asked me to write about how to use a French press, I thought that a Monday morning was a perfect time to share the secret to the best cup of coffee. Seriously. It’s a bit more labor intensive than a regular cup of coffee, but it is so worth it.
You only need five things. A French press {above}, a coffee bean grinder, good quality coffee beans {we prefer lighter roasts but go with your preference}, a pinch of salt, water and a way to boil it {we use our electric kettle}.
Bring 5 cups of water to a boil. Add about 1/3 cup of coffee beans {26 grams, if you want to be precise but I usually eyeball it.}
Grind for seven seconds. The texture should be like coarse sand. Add the grounds to the French press with a pinch of salt. You only need a few kernels of salt to take the bitterness out of the coffee.
Slowly pour the water over the grinds, until it’s up to the metal rim.
Notice the foam on top—it’s called crema. And you want it.
Place the top on taking care to keep the vented side covered so the coffee stays warm. Allow to steep for four minutes.
After four minutes, slowly depress the plunger, so that the grounds sink to the bottom. If you do it fast the coffee will squirt out and make a mess. Don’t do that.
Grab your favorite mug and fill ‘er up!
This coffee goes well with donuts. And bagels. And eggs. Pretty much anything.
Lindsay, thanks for the request! I hope you enjoy French pressed coffee as much as we do!
How do you take your coffee?
If you have a request for a how to post, I’d love to hear it! Please e-mail me at thesplatteredapron@gmail.com or leave a comment.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve been meaning to try french press and see it popping up all over the internet. Thanks for the tutorial!
Julie recently posted..Weekly Workouts: 7.15.2012
Happy to help, hope you love it!
Oh heck yes….pins are a MUST!!!! My Keurig has been so blah lately. I’ve always wanted a French Press. Pinning yours:) Heck, check this out -> http://bit.ly/agugh2012
Sarah Kay Hoffman recently posted..Minimize Symptom Suppression
Thanks so much! I hope you get a French press ASAP.
Thanks for sharing this how to! I’ve always wanted to learn how to french press coffee, and this is a simple, easy to follow guide. REALLY appreciate it!
Katie @wishandwhimsy recently posted..Weight Lifting & Unexpected Packages
Sure thing–hope it turns out well for you!
Never thought to add a pinch of salt!! We used to french press but now we use a Chemex. LOVE IT!! I always had a hard time not getting the left over residual grinds from french pressing and the Chemex solves that!
Debbie Flroes recently posted..Spoiled!
It’s crazy, but the teeny bit of salt really makes a difference. I’ve never heard of a Chemex, I’ll check it out!
Thanks for the post, Lisa!! Love the steam shots…
Of course! Thanks for the request–keep ‘em coming!
Just bookmarked this post. Jeff loves good French press coffee, but I never cared for it. And now I know why- I was making it completely wrong. Thanks so much for sharing, Lisa!
Jen recently posted..Working out with baby
Sure thing, Jen, I hope you enjoy French press coffee now!
I love my french press and find it so much easier when making coffee for one.
Sarah recently posted..Stitches
Agreed, though I almost always make the full carafe and then drink too much coffee for the day
hahaha YES! I do the same thing.
Awesome tutorial. I needed this.
Thanks so much, I hope it works well for you!
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