Posted Fri Nov 5, 2004, 4:06am Subject: Re: How to Use a Press Pot
Very informative...I had no idea about the "bloom", or stirring the slurry before letting it steep. I'll definitely start doing that.
Press brewing was how I was introduced to quality coffee. I had a drip maker in my dorm room until I bought a press, and I never looked back. It's what I'm relying on at the moment until I move back to the US and buy my new set-up.
JDi Senior Member Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 2 Location: Columbus.OH.US Expertise: I love coffee
Grinder: Solis Maestro Plus Drip: Starbucks Barista
Posted Sun Nov 14, 2004, 2:59pm Subject: Re: How to Use a Press Pot
Recently I read the press pot how-to on illy.com. They suggest NOT stirring and NOT waiting : pour the hot water in with the coffee and plunge right away. It didn't sound right but I thought I should try it anyway... I have to tell ya it definitely makes a better tasting cup of coffee! Ever since I bought my press pot I kept thinking that every cup I make has a bitter taste - not as good as my auto drip.
I use the appropriate amount of coffee -- 1:6 coffee to water (30 mL coffee per 180 mL water), water that is 85° C when pouring it over the grounds, and actually I wait anywhere between 30 - 60 s before starting the plunge. The coffee is gound for french press on my Solis Maestro Plus.
Pharmer Senior Member Joined: 10 Feb 2005 Posts: 2 Location: California Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Thu Feb 10, 2005, 2:39pm Subject: HOW TO PRESS POT -CONCUR! Additional suggestions
I developed my method over a few years, by reading several coffee pamphlets and postings, and listening to the advice of others. My method is quite similar to the method described in the original article. I highly recommend the original article, with hardly an exception. DETAILS AND CONSISTENCY MATTER! Thank you Mark Prince.
I kindly offer additional suggestions, as ideal conditions are not always possible. -If your using a cheap, pulse blade grinder, grind smaller batches (less than3/4 full) and shake grinder up and down gently while grinding, holding the lid down with your thumbs and gripping the grinder body firmly. Mentally note grind time and sound, to achieve reproducibility. -If you dont want to wait, add just enough cool-cold water to just wet grinds (paste not a slurry) in the press , just before adding the boiling water. This will result in a steeping temperature just between PEET,s recommended range of 195-205 F. I found pen like thermometers do not necessarily give reproducible results. I calibrate using both boiling water and ice water. I stopped using the thermometer once I perfected my technique. Above performed at sea level. - Use the handle end of the press to gently stir grinds for a few seconds, both immediately after adding water, and once again, halfway through steep time, to help saturate floating grinds. -Seat the press lid on on while steeping, with the filter high enough above the surface to avoid direct metal contact. -After pressing, let press sit a minute or two before pouring to allow finer grinds to settle. -Try different varieties of beans. Some are not well suited for the press. Dark roasts I like, but light roasts and the darkest dark roasts produce a tangy flavor or overwhelm the taste experience, respectively. -Filter with a fine, non-absorbent filter if you are pouring coffee into a thermos. Metal mesh tea filters allow finest particles through.
Pharmer Senior Member Joined: 10 Feb 2005 Posts: 2 Location: California Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Thu Feb 10, 2005, 3:04pm Subject: Re: How to Use a Press Pot -Press grind not sold & grind picture reference
I have not found a retail coffee seller in the San Francisco bay area who sells coffee ground specifically for a french press. It seems there commercial grinder does not have a coarse enough setting, despite what is labeled on the machine. So, ask for there most coars grind. BTW, I grind my own beans.
Suggestion to Mark P: Add to your excellent picture guided press pot instructions, a photo of small coffee ground samples, say 1/8 teaspoon of each, side by side on a white piece of paper along beside the name of the type of grind. Place a common reference, such as a dime, next to the grind spread. This " actual size" image could be printed out and one could then pour their own grinds on the picture for direct comparison.
I got this idea from a similar image used in an old Starbuck's Pamphlet called The Best Coffee at home. No, I dont buy Starbuck,s beans.
jennnej Senior Member Joined: 10 Apr 2005 Posts: 1 Location: wisconsin Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sun Apr 10, 2005, 4:38pm Subject: Re: How to Use a Press Pot
I use a Bodum 3-cup coffee press, but somehow I could never get the coffee intensity I want even though I put in 2 spoons of coffee (I like my coffee dark with a lot of flavor). I use Maxwell House French Roast or Folgers French Vanilla, probably not the right grind. Is there any tip to improve the coffee taste? Right now my coffee tastes like cheap breakfast coffee from one of those hotel.
Posted Mon Apr 11, 2005, 8:29am Subject: Re: How to Use a Press Pot
jennnej Said:
I use Maxwell House French Roast or Folgers French Vanilla, probably not the right grind. Is there any tip to improve the coffee taste? Right now my coffee tastes like cheap breakfast coffee from one of those hotel.
philxan Senior Member Joined: 4 Jul 2005 Posts: 1 Location: Australia Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Mon Jul 11, 2005, 11:59pm Subject: Re: How to Use a Press Pot
Hi (first post for a newbie to this site... so go easy, ok?)
I might be getting a little late on this, but thanks very much Mark for a great article. Using a French Press (as I've alway known it) has been my coffee mainstay for many years. I still use for it for that midmorning pickme up at work. It's easier to store all the equipment than bring in my own espresso machine!
A few comments on the comments:
Warm the press before steeping - I've found it keeps the final coffee at a better temperature
After boiling the kettle, I let it sit for about 10 to 15 seconds. This allows the water to calm down and the grounds don't get scolded
Stiring is essentiall!
Sometimes I find that the coffee will settle on the bottom all of its own accord after just a couple of minutes, although I'm not sure why. If this happens, I'll push the press down (slowly, of course), and then quickly draw it back up again. This creates a whirlpool effect, bringing the grounds back into the coffee for more steeping. After they have settled again I'll press and pour as normal. Sometimes you have to be careful with this, as it can create a very strong, bitter taste.
Thanks for a great site people. I hope these comments are too far off track.
Posted Tue Jul 12, 2005, 1:12am Subject: Re: How to Use a Press Pot
jennnej Said:
I use a Bodum 3-cup coffee press, but somehow I could never get the coffee intensity I want even though I put in 2 spoons of coffee (I like my coffee dark with a lot of flavor). I use Maxwell House French Roast or Folgers French Vanilla, probably not the right grind. Is there any tip to improve the coffee taste? Right now my coffee tastes like cheap breakfast coffee from one of those hotel.
kentv999 Senior Member Joined: 4 Jul 2005 Posts: 15 Location: El Paso, TX USA Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Fri Sep 9, 2005, 5:19pm Subject: Re: How to Use a Press Pot
Great Article! I've recently gotten into espresso and have been interested in Press Pots based on information found on this forum. I finally purcahased one... WOW. Not even being close to a coffee guru, it is a really great cup of coffee. I've been buying fresh roasted beans from Coffee Emergency and with the combination of the press pot I can't believe how good the coffee tastes. I've got a Rocky Grinder and have it set to basically the "largest" setting it will grind. I do find, though, that there seems to be lots of "flakes" in the ground coffee. Not sure of the reason for that. It doesn't seem to cause a problem, but wasn't sure if that was correct or not. I don't notice this when grinding for espresso.
Anyway... great article and thanks for "leading the way"!
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