Wednesday, April 1, 2009

French Press Coffee Maker

By Geoff Brightly

If you want to make a great cup of coffee, you should try making it without a filter. I'm not suggesting that you make it cowboy style with the grinds floating around because that would be gross. No, I'm suggesting that you try a French press coffee maker. Unlike a filtered coffee maker, the French press doesn't filter out the most aromatic part of the coffee, the oil.

A French press (sometimes called a coffee press) is usually a glass cylinder with a plunger like device inside. You place your coffee grinds inside and pour hot water into it. The water should not be boiling or you will scald your grinds, which will affect the taste. 200 degree water is the optimum temperature for a fine cup of coffee. If youre using a kettle to heat your water, remove it from the heat before if starts whistling. Either that or you can let the water boil but let it sit for a few minutes before pouring it into your coffee press. Remember to leave at least an inch of space when filling up the French press.

The best grinds for a coffee press are a little more course than usual. If you buy your own gourmet coffee beans and grind them yourself be sure not to pulverized them to dust. This will clog your press. Getting a coffee grinder to obey your commands takes some practice but it's worth the effort. And don't grind too much at once because once those grinds hit the open air, they begin losing their flavor.

After waiting about four minutes for your coffee to brew, it's time to use the press. Remember that there's very hot water in a French press and take precautions not to get burned. With a firm grip on the handles, slowly press the plunger down as smoothly as you can. Quick jerky motions could cause problems so avoid them. The press squeezes the coffee grinds down to the bottom of the chamber and leaves the coffee in the top. Now you're ready to pour and serve.

The coffee press is an old way to make coffee but manufacturers have modernized the equipment. There's conversation starting glass and stainless steel French presses and they even make travel mug editions. So now your insulated travel mug will not only keep your coffee warm but it'll brew it as well.

Now a days everyone is starting their day with a cup of coffee. Why not start the day in style with a great tasting coffee made in a French press. It's easy to make and it has a lot more flavor than coffee made in an automatic drip coffee maker. Once you try it, the French press coffee maker may become your favorite way to make coffee.

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