How to Make the Best French Press

Filed under Beverages Live Well Recipes on Oct 10 12 by Allison Forshey

It’s odd for me to think that I used to hate coffee! I grew up in a tea drinking family,  and I still love tea (a post on making the best pot of tea is coming soon!) but it wasn’t until I was living in Argentina that I grew fond of drinking coffee. French press coffee is super easy for anyone to make; all you need (besides a french press) is a way to boil water. A hot plate and a teakettle, or even an electric kettle, are great options for students.

Step 1: Invest in a quality french press. I found my vintage Bodum at a thrift store for $3! But if you don’t get as lucky, Target and Starbucks both carry different affordable options, as do many other home stores.

Step 2: Use coarse coffee. If you buy it pre-ground, look for labels that specify that the coffee is coarse or even is specifically for a french press. If you grind your own coffee, make sure it is coarse  enough so it won’t escape through the mesh filter. Remember that the finer (and fresher)  the grind, the stronger the brew.

Add 2-3 tablespoons of ground coffee per cup (go here for a super precise guide).

Step 3: Boil water, then let it cool for a minute or two.

Step 4: Add the water to the french press. I stir it around once or twice with a chopstick (or another long non-metal utensil) to make sure that there are no clumps of coffee. Brew for at least 4 minutes (longer for stronger coffee).

Step 5: Slowly apply even pressure to the plunger and press straight down. Enjoy!

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All images on the mood board are from my Pinterest board. All other photos and illustrations are property of Allison Forshey.