The French press coffee maker is an infallible option for preparing an excellent cup of coffee without complicating your life. In this article, we tell you the secrets of this preparation so that you can make the most of it at home.
The French coffee machine is one of the most popular in the world. It is based on a very simple method: just pour the coffee in it, pour boiling water in it, lower the plunger and let it steep for a few minutes. The result is a cup with an intense aroma that has won many fans among coffee lovers.
For those who have never used a French coffee machine before, today we are going to look at what it is, how it works, what is needed to achieve optimum results and how to make coffee with this type of coffee machine.
What is a French coffee machine?
The French coffee pot is a kind of small jug with an inner press (a plunger or piston) made of mesh, which filters the ground coffee immersed in hot water and helps to extractr its soluble components. Hence the variety of names: piston coffee machine, piston coffee machine, French press...
The origin of this coffee maker is disputed between the French and the Italians. Although no one knows for sure who invented it, what is clear is that a similar technique was already being used in French kitchens in the 1850s.
Legend has it that a Frenchman forgot to boil the water with the coffee, as was the custom at the time. Instead of bringing everything back to the boil, he poured the water directly over the ground coffee and passed the mixture through a filter. The French press technique was born.
In any case, the first to patent the piston coffee machine was the Italian Attilio Calimani, in 1929, after making some technical improvements to prevent the coffee from escaping from the sides.
Over the years, the design was refined with different filters until, in the 1960s, the Swiss Faliero Bondanini popularised his model (first in France and then in the rest of Europe).
What parts does it have?
The piston coffee machine we know today, regardless of style or size, has a basic structure: a carafe with a lid through which a piston with a steel filter that fits around the edges of the container passes.
The jug is usually cylindrical, but is sometimes shaped like a teapot. It can be made of glass, stainless steel, ceramic or plastic. If possible, it is best to choose a thermoregulating model to keep the coffee at the right temperature.
The function of the plunger or piston is to brew the coffee. It consists of a rod at the lower end of which (the one in contact with the ground coffee) there is a filtering system made up of metal discs or meshes. Over time, it is advisable to change it to prevent it from letting sediment through.
So how does it work?
The method of preparing coffee with a French press is completely different from that of an Italian coffee machine or a traditional espresso machine. These work by percolation, i.e. the water passes through the coffee at high pressure for a limited time, resulting in a concentrated, full-bodied coffee.
French coffee machines, on the other hand, work by infusion, like tea. The water is in contact with the coffee at all times, extracting its aroma and flavour. in the last phase ofthe process the piston filter separates the grounds from the liquid: in the end, you get a mild coffee, but with the full flavour potential of the coffee. but with all the flavour potential of the coffee itself..
The French press method is simple and allows you to enjoy the taste of coffee in all its purity, perceiving its complexity. Therefore, it is ideal for lovers of American coffee or filtered coffees: coffee preparations which are more diluted in water which are characterised by being lighter than the aforementioned Italian and espresso coffees.
This is a technique for making particularly good coffee: in fact, it is almost impossible to get it wrong. That is why more and more people are opting for this type of coffee maker at home.
Let's cut to the chase: how to give it that "special" touch
Buy quality coffee, achieve a medium-coarse grind and use filtered water.iltered/mineral wateras with any other coffee making process, using good raw material is essential.
We tell you more about the three keys to excellent French press coffee:
Speciality coffee
There's no chance of enjoying a good cup if you don't use good coffee... The experts' recommendation? Speciality coffee!
The term speciality coffee is used to refer to coffees that have scored more than 80 points on the SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) quality control scale carried out by professional tasters. To achieve this score (which takes into account all the characteristics of the coffee, such as acidity, sweetness, body, balance, fragrances, etc.), the coffee must be cared for at every stage of its development. From sustainable plantations, taking care of the land, to its packaging and transport, with full traceability and security of what is being consumed.
Only ripe cherries are harvested and processed separately from commercial coffees, stored and packaged according to rigid protocols.
Coffee is a fruit, and as such has to be considered as a seasonal one, the fresher the better.
Speciality coffee works with the freshest harvests, following and supporting the producers, usually paying an above-market price for their coffees.
Syra Coffee speciality coffee is single origin (from the same field, from the same farm), 100% Arabica and from transparent harvests. We roast it every day with love in Barcelona and we deliver it to your home in no time at all.
2. Medium grinding
Not all coffee machines work with the same grind. In this case, the ideal point is a medium to coarse grind, with a consistent and uniform texture, similar to that of coarse saltIf the filter gets stuck or the coffee comes out cloudy, it means that it has been made too fine.
However, the degree of grinding is one of the elements with which you can experiment: starting with a coarse grind, in successive preparations you can try it finer (if you like it more intense) or coarser (if you like it more intense).o.
For this reason, it is particularly advisable to to buy coffee beans(filter roast or omni roast so that the result is light, in accordance with this technique) and use a grinder that allows you to regulate the grind. It can be manual or an electric grinder, which will give youn more control.
3. Water quality
If you do not want limescale or heaviness to alter the acidity and taste of your coffee, it is best to use low-mineralised water, either bottled or purified.
How to make an American coffee with a French coffee machine
You will need:
- French coffee maker
- Scale
- Kettle
- Ground coffee (16 g per cup)
- Water (250 ml per cup)
- Long spoon
STEP 1
Place the carafe on a flat, non-slip surface and remove the lid with the piston. Add the coffee to the container: about 16 grams per 250 ml (of course, this ratio can vary if you prefer your coffee more or less intense...).
If you don't have scales, calculate about two tablespoons of coffee per glass of water.
If you have a 600 ml French press, double these quantities.
STEP 2
Heat the water until it reaches 94 °C. You can also boil it in a pan and let it stand for a minute. for one minute.
STEP 3
Pour the water directly into the carafe and make sure that no coffee is left unsoaked.
Leave to rest for 3.5 to 4 minutes. Remove the crust that has formed on the surface with a spoon and leave to rest for another 5 minutes, this time with the lid on. Immerse the piston slowly.
STEP 4
Pour the coffee little by little, using the lid as a stopper, to prevent the sediment from mixing.
Haven't you tried coffee from a French coffee machine yet?
The French press system has many advantages: a large amount of coffee can be prepared, it does not require electricity, it does not generate waste and it is one of the most versatile methods, as you can modify the flavour depending on a number of variables.
More virtues? French press coffee is tasty and aromatic, and piston coffee machines are low-maintenance, attractive, economical and easy to clean.
If you are a lover of good coffee, you have to try the French coffee maker.
At Syra Coffee you will find perfect french press packsThe best speciality coffees combined with a selection of ergonomic coffee machines with double filter to guarantee you a clear and delicate drink.
Discover them!