Brewing coffee with a cafetière (also known as a French press) is a simple and popular method to enjoy rich, full-bodied coffee. It allows for maximum flavour extraction by letting the coffee grounds steep directly in the hot water.
What You Need
- Cafetière: Your French press device.
- Coffee: Freshly roasted whole beans are best.
- Coffee Grinder: A burr grinder is recommended for consistency.
- Hot Water: Just off the boil.
- Spoon: Non-metal is preferred to avoid chipping the glass carafe.
Easy Steps to Brewing with a Cafetière
Follow these steps for a great cup of coffee:
- Heat Water: Bring fresh water to a boil, then let it sit for about 30 seconds to cool slightly. The ideal temperature is around 92-96°C (195-205°F). Using water that's too hot can burn the coffee.
- Prepare Coffee Grounds: Grind your coffee beans just before brewing. A coarse grind is essential for a cafetière; it should look like breadcrumbs. Too fine a grind can push through the filter and make your coffee sludgy.
- Add Coffee to the Pot: Add the coarse coffee grounds to the bottom of the empty cafetière. A common ratio is about 60-70 grams of coffee per litre of water, but you can adjust to your taste.
- Add Hot Water: Pour the hot water over the coffee grounds. Ensure all the grounds are saturated. You can give it a gentle stir with a non-metal spoon.
- Steep the Coffee: Place the lid on the cafetière with the plunger pulled all the way up, but do not press it down yet. Let the coffee steep for about 4 minutes. This allows the flavour to develop.
- Push the Plunger: After steeping, it's time to separate the grounds from the liquid. Carefully and slowly push down the plunger. As noted in the reference, "This stops over extraction of the coffee." Pushing too fast can force fine particles through and create excessive pressure.
- Serve Immediately: Once the plunger is fully depressed, the coffee is ready. "And there you are you're ready to serve. And enjoy." Pour the coffee into your cup right away to prevent it from sitting on the grounds, which can lead to over-extraction and bitterness.
Quick Tips for Better Results
- Use Fresh Coffee: Use freshly roasted beans and grind them just before brewing for the best flavour.
- Correct Grind Size: Remember, coarse is key for a cafetière.
- Water Quality: Use filtered water if possible, as water quality significantly impacts taste.
- Preheat: You can rinse the cafetière with hot water before starting to help maintain the correct brewing temperature.
- Cleanliness: Always clean your cafetière thoroughly after each use to remove residual coffee oils.
Summary Table: Cafetière Brewing at a Glance
| Step | Action | Key Detail / Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Heat Water | Boil water, then let cool slightly (92-96°C). | Avoid burning the coffee. |
| 2. Grind Coffee | Grind beans to a coarse consistency (like breadcrumbs). | Essential to prevent sludge and ensure smooth press. |
| 3. Add Coffee | Place grounds in cafetière base (approx. 60g/L). | Adjust ratio to personal taste. |
| 4. Add Hot Water | Pour water over grounds, ensuring full saturation. | Stir gently if needed. |
| 5. Steep | Place lid on, plunger up. Let sit for ~4 minutes. | Allows flavour extraction. |
| 6. Push Plunger | Slowly push plunger down. | "This stops over extraction of the coffee." |
| 7. Serve | Pour coffee into cup immediately. | Prevents over-extraction and bitterness. |
Following these steps will help you brew delicious coffee using your cafetière.
