Do not underestimate the awesome power of the French press. Also known as a cafetière—or, less elegantly, as a coffee plunger—this ever-popular brewing method is the cornerstone of many an energised morning.
We’ll admit: this is an easy-to-use coffee maker—even more so when compared with the complicated mechanics of a bean-to-cup or a state-of-the-art La Marzocco. However, don’t be fooled by the seeming simplicity: making coffee—and ensuring said coffee is the best it can be—requires precision, timing, and care. But don’t be perturbed; getting it right is a breeze when you know how.
Requiring just a few minutes of your time, several spoonfuls of the best ground coffee, and boiling water, the art of the French press can be mastered by all. Seeking to replace your (dare we say it?) instant coffee with something more a la mode—not to mention, far superior in taste? Look no further than the French press.
Guests and family members alike will appreciate your progression into the world of good coffee. And the best part is this: French presses don’t cost the Earth. Quite the opposite: you can pick one up for less than the price of lunch.
So, if you’re a coffee convert and you’d like to move up in the ranks of coffee aficionado status (a black belt, if you will), read on for our ultimate guide on how to operate a French press. One thing’s for sure: you’ll never go back to instant.
What is a French press?
The easiest to use of coffee makers, the French press is an emblem of elegance and simplicity. Constituting a glass (look for borosilicate) jug, a lid, and a metal plunger with fine mesh, the French press looks elegant and produces exceptional coffee. But how did it come to be?
The French press came into existence, like many other day-to-day inventions, by serendipity. A French monsieur made a blunder when preparing his daily coffee during his morning walk (it was the 1850s, so Starbucks wasn’t an option). He (gasp) forgot to put his coffee in his water before boiling it, as per the usual method. So, he added his ground coffee and wondered what to do next:
Alas, by sheer good fortune, an Italian merchant sauntered by. The Frenchman purchased a fine metal mesh from the señor and used it to press down the coffee grounds. The result? Only the best coffee he’d ever tasted.
And so, the French press was born.
And—despite the first patent coming from Italy—the French have retained their proprietorship over the invention. Hey, Italians enjoy a stellar reputation for coffee, so let’s let this one fly.
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