French Press Brew Guide
A french press is incredibly simple – add coffee, then water, cover, stir and press. A steel mesh plunger is used to separate brewed coffee from coffee grounds. The is full-immersion brewing with a filtered pour, and the result is a satisfying, bodied cup of coffee.
Step 1: Measure out 500g of water (approximately 2 cups or 18oz.) This is for a standard, 4-cup press. For larger size press pots, simply add more grams of coffee and water. |
Step 2: Transfer your water to a stove-top or electric kettle. We recommend a Bonavita. |
Step 3: Pre-heat your water to between 195° and 200°F. Tip: As an extra step, heat additional water and use it to warm up your cups and carafe. |
Step 4: Measure about 30g (2 tbsp) of your favorite, freshly roasted Picacho Coffee. Tip: For a stronger brew use up to 45g of coffee. |
Step 5: Select a medium-coarse grind setting, just a bit coarser than for a paper filter. Ideally as fine as possible without passing through the metal filter. Burr grinders are recommended, but not essential. |
Step 6: Add the ground coffee to the empty carafe. Tip: Give the carafe a shake to level-off the coffee grounds in the bottom. |
Step 7: Check your water temp, and pour in a slow, circular motion. Take care to ensure all grounds are wet, and there are no pockets of dry coffee remaining. |
Step 8: Place the lid on top of the carafe without pushing down on the plunger. Keep the lid in place for heat retention. Let sit for about two minutes. |
Step 9: Give the brew a gentle stir, and break the coffee crust that floats to the top. Tip: Aggressive stirring increases agitation of the grounds, leading to an aggressive extraction. |
Step 10: Place the lid back on the carafe, and wait another two minutes. Total brewing time is 4:00 minutes. Tip: Increase brewing time for a stronger cup. |
Step 11: After 4 minutes slowly push down the plunger, taking about 5-10 seconds. Wait another minute or two before pouring, allowing the grounds to settle at the bottom of the carafe, and not in your cup. |
Step 12: Pour slowly. We recommend emptying the french press; coffee left in the press will continue brewing and can result in a bitter, over-extracted flavor. |
Step 13: Sit back and enjoy! |