The Four French Press Fails You Really Must Avoid
Contrary to popular belief, French press coffee can be absolutely exquisite. People often associate the simplicity of the French press method with a lack of sophistication. When in reality, well-brewed French press coffee can be as good as any other type of coffee.
That said, it’s also one of the easiest brewing methods to get completely wrong. If you associate French press coffee (a.k.a. cafetiere, coffee press) with a muddy and unpleasant cup, something definitely isn’t right.
On the plus side, most common French press mistakes are easy to identify and correct. If you’re guilty of any of the following sins, you’ll know exactly what to do to turn things around:
1) Using Substandard Coffee With Your Cafetiere
Set yourself up with substandard coffee and you can expect substandard results. It’s up to you whether you go the whole hog with the best Kona coffee Hawaii produces, or opt for something a little less luxurious. Either way, the coffee you choose needs to be of an appropriately high standard. Hawaiian coffee can be great for the French press method - Kona coffee in particular - but there’s a world of more affordable options to choose from if preferred.
2) Not Grinding the Beans Properly
A quality burr grinder, whether manual or electric, plays a key a role in getting the best out of your beans. This applies to all coffee beans across the board, but is particularly important when splashing out on premium products. If you’re going to spend good money on the best Kona coffee beans, you may as well treat your beans with respect. Aim for a medium-coarse grind. Err on the side of caution to avoid a muddy cup, keeping things slightly coarser than you think you need.
3) Using the Wrong Quantity of Coffee
Quantities and ratios also matter when looking to make a great cup using the French press method. As a general rule of thumb, it’s recommended to start out with a ratio of 7.5g of ground coffee for every 100g of water. After which, you can experiment with different ratios to your heart’s content, until you find your perfect recipe. At this point, it’s also worth highlighting the importance of patience - those coarse grounds need a little extra time to do their thing in the water.
4) Leaving the Coffee in the French Press Too Long
Last up, the optimum time to pour the coffee out of your French press is immediately after pushing the plunger. It’s important to remember that while ever the coffee remains in the coffee press, it remains in contact with the coffee grounds. Slowly but surely, the ongoing infusion will build towards an unpleasant, bitter and muddy taste. Set yourself up with a decent insulated jug or carafe, and get into the habit of dispensing your coffee as soon as it is brewed.
Again, a small price to pay to gain maximum enjoyment from the best Kona coffee beans, or whichever gourmet coffee you enjoy most!
At Hayman’s online coffee store, you will find the best coffee in the world, including the best Kona coffee Hawaii produces (i.e. 100% pure Kona coffee, fresh roasted on the same day it is shipped to you). Click here to order this unique Hawaiian coffee today, we offer free worldwide shipping!
