Frech Press

Coffee bean French Press Coffee Coffee bean

First, you will need three things:
A French press. This is one of the purest ways to brew coffee. The resulting brew will be rich and thick. Unlike a paper filter, a french press allows the full flavor of coffee to be savored. A paper filter traps many of the coffee's oils and removes some of the flavor nuances. Also, a paper filter can introduce "paper" flavors of its own.

Good coffee! Not a commercial coffee that contains robusta beans and low quality arabica beans. You want a quality coffee that contains only the finest arabica beans.

(A Word about coffee - please read)

Find a local roaster if possible. I use Indigo Coffee Roasters in Florence, MA. Good coffee may be purchased on-line from Cafe Canopy, or Sacred Grounds or many other places. You want triple certified - fair trade, organic and shade grown - if possible. A pound of coffee runs from about $8.00 to $16.00. Notice that this price range puts a terrific cup of coffee into the hands of most people. A french press runs from about $12.00 to $60.00, depending upon the size and make. Search the web or go to almost any coffe or kitchen store.

Good Water! A cup of coffee is mostly water. If you do not like the way your water tastes, then more than likely you will not like the way your coffee tastes. A good filter, Britta or better, will work well.


Frech Press



Frech Press

Coffee beanPreheat the french press carafe with hot water.

Coffee beanPut 2 tablespoons of coffee (adjust to taste) for each 6 ounces of water into the bottom of the plunger pot. Use a course grind that has been ground specifically for a french press. If you are grinding your own use a good burr grinder so you can adjust the grind.

Coffee beanPour in water just off the boil (195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit).

Coffee beanEnsure all the grounds are covered by water (you might have to stir lightly) and then put the top on the carafe. Do NOT push the plunger down yet. Let the coffee steep for 4 - 6 minutes. Play with steep time to adjust strength.

Coffee beanPush the plunger down. This allows the stainless steel mesh filter to separate the coffee from the grounds, by trapping the grounds at the bottom of the pot.

Coffee beanServe within 20 minutes. ENJOY!




Frech Press