How Do I French Press Coffee Like a Barista
French press coffee is the most popular way to prepare coffee in America. It's easy to see why: It's fast, convenient, and produces an excellent cup of coffee every time. The French Press is ideal for people who want great-tasting coffee at home, but how do you French Press coffee like a barista?
To understand how to make good French press coffee, you first need to learn about the basics of coffee making. The basics will help you determine which type of machine is best for your needs.
Coffee Makers
You can buy a single-cup coffee maker or a full-size commercial model. Single-serve machines are designed to produce just enough coffee for one person and one cup's worth. Larger machines can come with a built-in grinder, so you won't need to purchase one separately, but this feature does take some of the coffee control out of your hands.
Many enjoy the pour-over or coffee drip makers; both techniques pour hot water through ground coffee beans for a person's ideal coffee.
What makes good coffee taste great?
You can learn how to make great French press coffee at home. Good coffee starts with quality ingredients. The first step in brewing high-quality coffee is selecting fresh beans from reputable roasters. Freshly roasted beans have a rich flavor and aroma. If you use stale beans, your coffee will taste flat and bitter.
Coarsely Grind Your Beans
Next, coarsely grind your beans. A fine grind makes strong coffee, while a coarse grind produces milder coffee. If you're grinding your beans, be careful not to overdo it. Too much grinding can damage your beans and reduce their ability to absorb flavors.
After grinding, pour the coffee into the French Press, do this slowly to distribute the coffee evenly.
Slowly Add Water
Adding too much water can dilute the coffee, reducing its strength. Overwatering can also cause the coffee to foam up.
It's important to add only enough water to cover the grounds by 1/2 inch. As you make your coffee each day, you will learn your ratio of grounds to water. While there are general or common ratios, real coffee enthusiasts create their own ratios.
Blooming
Stirring helps prevent uneven extraction. To avoid foaming, stir gently.
Use a spoon to keep the grounds suspended in the liquid. Also known as the blooming stage, blooms are essential in extracting the maximum flavor from coffee beans. The grounds release oils and other compounds into the water during the blooming process. When the bloom is complete, remove the spoon and let the coffee sit undisturbed for 15 seconds.
Add More Water
Once the bloom has finished, add the desired amount of water. Stir again. Repeat until you reach the desired volume.
When adding water to the coffee, don't rush the process. Letting the coffee sit for 15 seconds between additions lets the grounds dissolve fully. Place the plunger halfway down before starting the brewing cycle to get an even extraction.
Brewing
The longer the coffee sits, the stronger the flavor becomes. It takes time to extract the maximum amount of flavor. Let the coffee steep for 5 to 10 minutes, giving the grounds time to release their oils and flavors.
Plunge Process
Once the steeping is complete, press the plunger down firmly. Keep the plunger pushed down during the entire brewing process. Pressure builds as the water passes through the coffee grounds. The flow stops when the pressure reaches about 20 pounds per square inch (psi). At this point, the coffee begins to cool.
As the temperature drops, the coffee releases carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide bubbles form inside the coffee, which creates a frothy head. Remove the plunger once the coffee has reached the right temperature. Wait 30 seconds before removing the plunger, or the coffee may overflow.
Serve & Enjoy Your French Press Coffee!
Your freshly brewed coffee is ready to serve and can be enjoyed hot or cold. Don't wait too long, or the coffee may over-extract, causing bitterness. If you want to store the coffee for later use, refrigerate it immediately. Never freeze coffee because freezing will destroy the delicate aromas and flavors that make coffee special.
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