French Press
The French press makes it very easy to brew good filter coffee. An easily reproducible and reliable method that has hardly changed in its classic and sophisticated design since its invention in 1929. Perfect for preparing several cups of strong coffee.
If you want to try this super easy brewing method but don’t have a French Press yet, you can buy it in our shop on Senefelder Straße (or online). The prices vary depending on the version.
You can find specialty coffee roasts in many delicious varieties right here in the online shop as well. We recommend buying your specialty coffee as a whole bean and only grind it fresh just before brewing. However, if you don’t have a coffee grinder, you can order one with the right grind for this brewing method.
This is what you will need
- French Press (to follow these instructions it would be large enough for 8 cups)
- Coffee grinder
- 60-70 g (8 table spoons) fresh coffee (filter roast)
- Hot water (ca. 95 °C)
- 1 large spoon or coffee paddle
- Scales
- Timer
- Cups
Perfect coffee with the French Press
- Pre-heat your French Press by filling it with hot water. This helps to maintain the temperature during the brewing process and guarantees a perfect extraction.
- Take 60 g (ca. 8 table spoons full) of coffee (filter coffee, no espresso!) and grind it to the size of breadcrumbs.
- When your French Press is heated up, pour out the water and put the coffee into the empty press.
- Start the timer and add hot water. Fill the French Press about half way up and make sure that the coffee is fully soaked.
- Wait for about a minute and then start breaking the crust that has built on the coffee with a (preferably wooden) spoon. You can use a metal spoon, of course, but then you have to be more careful not to break the glass.
- Now stir the coffee and add the rest of the water.
- Put the lid and the sieve on the French Press and let the coffee sit for about 4 minutes without pressing the sieve down.
- After 4 minutes, press down the sieve slowly and steadily, without much force. When your coffee is too finely ground it might happen that the sieve stops, because the coffee starts clogging the pores in the sieve. If that happens, pull the sieve up slightly and press it down again.
- When you have done that, pour the coffee into cups or into a coffee carafe immediately to avoid excess extraction. Otherwise your coffee will acquire a bitter taste.
After the brewing process
After your coffee has been brewed, pull the sieve and lid out of the French Press and dispose of the coffee grounds with a spoon. You can simply rinse off the leftovers with hot water. Make sure to rinse the sieve particularly well so that its fine pores do not clog.