What if I told you that the French Press wasn’t French at all? Shocking, I know. What if I also revealed that it was the brainchild of two Italian gentlemen attempting to create a tomato juice separator? Equally surprising.
And what if I flip-flopped again and claimed the French Press was a French innovation, the result of one man’s blunder in boiling his water before adding it to his coffee?
Honestly, the debate over the true inventor of the French Press has persisted for decades, with countless origin stories for this exceedingly popular coffee brewing method.
People often approach me (well, in my imagination, at least) and say, “Zac, I really want to start using a French Press, but it seems so darn complicated!” I assure you that although it’s a brewing method that demands patience, practically anyone can master making coffee with it.
I’m here to strip the French Press coffee brewing process down to the bare bones.
Step 1: Hot Water
You can’t make delicious French Press coffee without hot water—that’s a fact. Start by boiling some water in your electric kettle; it’s fine if you boil a little extra. Aim for a water temperature around 195°F, just below boiling, perfect for an ideal French Press.
Step 2: Prepare the Press
Preparing your French Press is as crucial as any other step. Preheat your empty French Press by pouring some hot water into it. Introducing coffee and hot water to a room-temperature Press is a no-no—the coffee gods would not be pleased.
Making coffee with a French Press is a bit more involved compared to brewing with a coffeemaker or with the pour-over method, but it’s worth the taste.
Step 3: Grind (Not the Dance)
For a French Press, you’ll need a coarse grind of your Bones coffee beans (why not try one of these?). Finer coffee grounds could clog your filter or slip through when brewing coffee after you plunge.
Use a French Press with freshly ground coffee beans for the best experience. It’s the only way to enjoy a full-bodied cup of coffee, especially if it’s a specialty single-origin coffee.
Step 4: Let’s Make Some Coffee!
Yes, we’re at step four and only now starting to make French Press coffee. Patience, remember? Brewing French Press coffee is a multilayered process.
For every 200 ml of water, pour 7–8 grams of your preferred Bones Coffee blend into your French Press. The exact amount will depend on the size of your press and the brew time.
Gently pour water over the coffee grounds until they’re just covered. This allows the delicious ground coffee to “bloom” and release CO2, which is essential to unlocking the best flavor. Give it about 30 seconds, then gently stir to break any crust that’s formed.
Next, fill the press with the remaining hot water, but not to the brim. Remember, the lid and plunger need space to operate.
Place the lid on to retain heat. Now, resist the urge to press on the plunger just yet—patience is key for the best taste!
Wait for four minutes. It might feel like an eternity, but it’s the perfect time to scroll through TikTok (@bonescoffee).
Press the plunger down slowly, with caution—it’s hot!
Step 5: Pour and Enjoy
Your diligence is about to be rewarded. Prep your favorite Bones Coffee Company mug, add any sweetener or creamer you like, pour yourself a cup of French Press coffee, and gently stir for a rich cup of delicious. Enjoy!
Quick Tip: If you’re not going to drink all the French Press coffee at once, decant it. As coffee sits, it starts to get too strong and bitter.
And that’s it, dear coffee aficionado. Thanks for embarking on this French Press adventure with me. On behalf of everyone here at Bones—Profitez de votre café!
