If you like coffee, you may have heard of the French press. This brewing machine may have many different names and patents from other regions. But what are the origin and historical development of this machine? And how to use it to brew coffee?

The history of the French press

The original brewing utensil in this shape was invented by two Frenchmen, Mayer and Delforge, in 1852. The difference between the utensils at that time and the present is the sealed space formed inside the glass. We are familiar with the French pressure, which Italian made in 1929. Attilio Calimani and Giulio Moneta applied for the first patent.

It is a bit controversial were the most popular designer came from. Some people say that it was brought to France by Faliero Bondanini in Switzerland in 1958 and made the machine named Chambord in France. Since it was promoted in France, Chambord followed to get the name - French press.

Bongani later introduced Chambord to the British market under the name 'LaCafetiére'. The famous Danish company Bodum later became a distributor of Chambord in Denmark and eventually bought the name of Chambord and the ownership of the factory. The trademark still belongs to the original owner. However, legal disputes caused Bodum and 'LaCafetiére' to compete for control of markets outside of Europe and the design of patents.

It would be complicated to study this machine, but it is indeed a very simple appliance that can be used to brew coffee, and if used correctly, it can make great coffee.

What kind of coffee can be brewed by using the French press?

French press is a fully immersed brewing utensil with a metal filter. This makes the brewed coffee have a characteristic because the water and coffee grounds are directly steep, the final coffee oil will be richer, so it has a thicker and fuller taste. For those who do not like the taste of coffee grounds or fine powder, the French press may not be suitable for you.

The brewing method press pot can control several variables (such as water temperature, grinding thickness, and brewing time), and improve the brewing method according to personal preference. Most importantly, if you brew it correctly, you can expect to enjoy the aroma and flavor of each coffee you brew.

How to brew coffee with French pressure?

Before brewing coffee, there are some critical variables to consider.

1. Grinding size

Regardless of the grinding size, a high-quality burr grinder should be used instead of a blade grinder, and this brewing method is likely to cause excessive extraction. So what is the correct size?

It is recommended to use a coarser grinding size, which is a bit like small gravel rather than fine sand. If the grinding is too fine, the water may extract the coffee grounds too fast. It may not be a problem for other immersion brewing appliances. Still, if the pressure pot is ground too finely, the fine coffee powder may penetrate the metal filter, causing a large amount of coffee residue to settle.

2. Coffee powder amount, powder water ratio

The coffee-to-water ratio is a simple formula, that is, how much water is mixed with how much coffee powder. The common ratio is 1:15 (for example, 1 oz coffee grounds to 15 fl. oz water). You can start with this ratio and then increase or decrease the amount of coffee or water in the next brew as you like until you find your favorite ratio.

3. Water temperature

Water temperature is another factor that can be used to test the taste of coffee. If you don't have a thermometer, you can let the hot water boil and let it stand for 45 seconds (adjusted according to the temperature) and brew at a temperature of about 195ˇăF-205ˇăF. If you want to control the flavor of the brewed coffee, it is recommended to buy a temperature-controlled hand brewing pot.

4. Brewing time

The brewing time is about 3 to 5 minutes. If it is a dark roast coffee, 5 minutes may be too long; if it is a light roast, 3 minutes may be too short, so it is recommended to try from 4 minutes at the beginning rise.

5. Brewing process

Pour the ground coffee grounds into the preheated French press, slowly pour hot water into it, and make sure that all the coffee grounds are steep.

Stir gently at 30 seconds, pour in the remaining hot water, and put the pressure plunger on it. Don't press it down at this time. When the coffee grounds are steep for 4 minutes, slowly press the plunger to the bottom. Pour out the coffee liquid carefully to avoid stirring the coffee grounds at the bottom of the press.

If the plunger is a little difficult to press down, it means the coffee ground is too fine; if the coffee powder sinks and the pressure resistance is too small, it means the ground is too coarse.

French press brewing tips

Pour the coffee immediately after brewing. If you don't do it, the coffee powder will continue to contact the water, causing the bitter taste of the coffee to be released. If you don't want to finish drinking it, it is recommended to pour it into another container.

Ensure that the French press is thoroughly cleaned. Even fresh coffee will be damaged by the unclean coffee grounds on the filter. Most filters should be easy to clean.

If the brewed coffee has not been able to satisfy your taste buds, it is recommended to try all the variables. The brewing of coffee should be fun and experimental. Once you brew your favorite coffee, it will let you More motivation to study coffee brewing skills!

Resources: 1.Beer And Coffee - coffeegeek
2.Coffee Channel 3.creativecommons.org 4.ae911truth.org