As a Barista, This Is Why I Love My French Press

I used to neglect about my French press. Most of the time, it simply sat on my shelf with different forsaken espresso instruments, accumulating mud. Sometimes, if I occurred to expire of filters for my pour-over, I’d carry it down and provides it its second. Nevertheless it was at all times the reserve—a backup device that labored nicely in a pinch.  

However one week, after I stored forgetting to purchase new espresso filters, I began taking part in round with my uncared for French press. I seemed up a couple of recipes on-line and even examined the one Nick Cho wrote about for Severe Eats. Alongside the way in which, I spotted simply how good the espresso brewed by a French press is. What’s extra, it’s extremely straightforward to make use of: Pour scorching water over freshly floor espresso, let it sit for some minutes, press it, and…that’s it. (Okay, sure, there are a couple of completely different strategies for making it, however for probably the most half, the speculation stays the identical.) This easy course of makes a persistently good cup of espresso, and I’ve made a lot of espresso as a former barista.

Simplicity Is What Makes a French Press Nice 

For the reason that starting of what we now name the third wave of espresso, there’s been a robust curiosity in filter strategies. Increasingly of us are utilizing pour-over brewers just like the Kalita or the Hario Swap. There are additionally new approaches to and ratios for brewing espresso, with individuals utilizing doodads like this puck display or a needle device known as a WDT to even out how the water flows into espresso grounds. The hype machine, you might say, is geared towards the world of papers and strain.

After which there’s the French press. It’s ceaselessly trustworthy, even when you’re the sort who likes to tinker along with your filter espresso recipe or dial in your at-home espresso. Simply bloom the grounds with scorching water simply off the boil (210˚F, ideally). Let the combination sit for one minute earlier than breaking apart the crust: Stir for 30 seconds, till the crust sinks. Brew for not less than 5 minutes, and as much as 10 (an extended brew will lead to a bitter cup). Gently plunge till the filter display rests just under the brewed espresso—do not push it onto the grounds. Pour and luxuriate in.

A French Press Lets Espresso Oils Shine

In contrast to a pour-over, through which the espresso’s oils are filtered out, a French press is an immersion brewer (that means the espresso “steeps” within the water), so the pure oils are left behind, giving the espresso a silky texture. Whereas the oils do take the highlight away from the beans’ specific flavors, additionally they lead to a wealthy brew you simply can’t get with a pour-over. These oils additionally clean out any sharply astringent flavors in gentle roast coffees and add a buttery sweetness to darkish roast brews. 

You Can Use a French Press for Extra Than Simply Espresso

Since a French press is so easy, it may be used for extra than simply espresso. I’ll typically use it to brew a easy, flavorful cup of tea with some good natural looseleaf because it strains the leaves properly. And since I don’t have an espresso machine, if I’m craving a foamy drink, I simply make espresso in a moka pot, then warmth up some milk and provides it a couple of pumps within the French press. It’s not the silkiest froth, however I discover it makes for a high-quality, thick cappuccino. 

FAQs

How do you brew with a French press?

Start with water that is simply off the boil: 210˚F is good. Pour the water over the grounds within the French press in a 1:15 ratio (for instance, 40 grams of espresso to 600 grams of water). Let the grounds bloom for one minute because the espresso types a crust on the high. Gently break up the crust, stirring for 30 seconds, till the crust sinks. Steep the espresso for not less than 5 minutes, then gently plunge. Pour and luxuriate in.

Don’t French presses break so much?

They do! However that’s typically the results of misusing the device. Should you really feel any kind of resistance in any respect whilst you’re urgent the espresso down, cease, pull the pump up barely, and check out once more. I keep away from pushing the plunger all the way in which down and as an alternative, depart the press simply above the saturated grounds. Should you don’t press the plunger, you received’t disturb the grounds, giving your brew extra readability and leading to much less gunk on the backside of your cup.  

What sort of espresso ought to I exploit?

Any sort! Simply ensure you know what water temperature is greatest for the espresso selection you’re utilizing. After all, the water will cool off the longer you steep the French press, however that doesn’t change the truth that the water must be at its ultimate temperature when it first touches the grounds. If it’s too scorching, you might find yourself burning the espresso and having bitter flavors within the closing cup, although a number of the pure oils will assist even these out.

Why We’re The Consultants

• Cole Hersey has been a full-time barista for the previous 5 years. 
• He very a lot enjoys utilizing his French press to brew a easy, persistently good cup of espresso.  
• Cole can also be a contract author specializing in meals tradition and environmental points within the Bay Space.