Lesson 7: Quality Need Not Be Expensive‏

Do you want to know a big secret about brewing great coffee? You
don't have to spend loads of money, it can be done with real ease
and on a tight budget.

One of my favourite ways to brew coffee is also one of the cheapest
and easiest. In this session I'm going to explain step by step how
to use a cafetiere (French press) and get the most out of it.

This may sound like a very strange thing to discuss. Surely the
French press is one of the easiest methods of brewing coffee? It
can be, but attention to detail is everything and sometimes things
can be missed.

Get French press brewing right and it can be hugely rewarding. Add
to this the relatively low cost that a French press can be picked
up for, and you've got a great way to enjoy your coffee.
To start with, I will assume that your French press has been
cleaned, you have a clear work top area and all of the following
things are to hand:


1. A kettle filled with fresh water
2. A French press
3. Coffee beans
4. A coffee bean grinder
5. A tea towel (or drying cloth)
6. A mug or cup
7. A stirring stick or spoon
8. *Optional* a thermal flask.


Boil the water in the kettle. Once boiled, poor around 5cm of water
into the French press. Gently swill the water around the jug making
sure that the whole jug is warmed.

Then add the filter (plunger) to the jug and allow the heat to add
a little expansion to the outer spring but only for a few moments.
This will help in forming a secure seal when placed in the coffee.

Throw the water away then dry the inside of the pot and the filter
mechanism.

Boil the kettle again. Whilst it is boiling, take your coffee beans
and grind the amount you need. The grind should be coarse and
similar to sharp building sand. What do you mean you have never
tried that in coffee!

Below is a table of recommended amounts. Please note these are just
a starting place, coffee is very personal and you may want to
change the quantities in order to get the brew just right for your
own taste.


Cup Size Level Table Spoons of Ground Coffee
3 2.5
4 3
8 6
12 9


If you prefer to drink your coffee from a mug, a good rule of thumb
is two cups are about equal to one mug.

The water should be just off boiling (95ºC) when poured into the
jug leaving around 2cm at the top of the pot to allow for the
filter part. Then take the stirring stick (or spoon) and stir the
pot making sure all the grinds at bottom are nicely infused.

Put the top of the pot back in place, so as to keep the spring
warm, but do not press it down. Leave the coffee to brew for around
four minutes.

Once four minutes has passed press down the plunger being careful
not to exert too much pressure. You will get the best results if
you are slow and gentle at this point.

Forcing the filter can make hot coffee squirt out of the top
resulting in it being wasted whilst possibly scalding you. If there
is undue pressure from the plunger it may be that you have ground
the coffee too fine. If this occurs, remove the filter, stir the
liquid, and replace the filter again, remembering that next time a
courser grind may be needed.

Once infusion has finished pour the contents of the jug into cups
to be enjoyed immediately, or into a vacuum flask if you don't want
it to get cold too quickly. Leaving coffee in the pot with the
grinds can over extract the brew, leaving a bitter and unpleasant
cup. Coffee should never be re-heated!

So how easy was that? Cheap and very very tasty coffee! What more
can you ask for?

These lessons are all about information and little secrets that
will enhance your enjoyment of coffee. Next time, I will give you
the three most important tips about good coffee. And another
special offer.

Press and chill! Coffee101.co.uk