How To Make French Press Coffee

1. Stage

Heat the water: Heat the water to 205°F (96°). If you don’t have a variable temperature water kettle, bring the water to a boil, then remove it from the stove or heat and let it sit for 30 seconds to cool down.

2. Stage

Add the water, stir, and let rest 1 minute: Place the coffee grounds in the carafe of a French press coffee machine. Pour the water into the French press. Using a chopstick or small wooden spoon, stir the grounds in the water to make sure all the grounds are wet. Cover with a small plate and let sit for 1 minute, then stir again, making sure to break up any “crust” you see on the top of the coffee. (This crust happens because CO2 gas that is trapped in the beans is being expelled. It can also prevent the coffee from properly extracting flavor, so don’t forget to stir again.)

3. Stage

Cover and steep:   Let sit, covered, another 3 minutes (for a total of 4 minutes brewing time).  Then gently press the plunger down. Don’t press too hard or too fast. If the plunger feels tight, let go of the pressure a bit then press again. Keep pressing until the plunger won’t move anymore and the grounds are trapped at the bottom.

4. Stage

Serve:  Pour into cups and serve immediately.  If you’re making more than one cup of coffee and don’t plan on drinking right away, it’s best to pour the remaining coffee into a vacuum insulated mug to prevent more extraction from the grounds on the bottom of the French press. Did you love the recipe? Give us some stars and leave a comment below!