Jul 12 2010
Coffee Press
Bodun Chambord Coffee French Press
Coffee press is simply another term used for the French press. This is an easy to use, one or two cup coffee brewer that requires no electricity and makes an excellent cup of coffee. The coffee press is able to make a better cup of coffee because the beans are not filtered through a paper device that traps much of the essential oils that make the coffee taste its best.
One of the main parts of the coffee bean that make coffee taste its best is the essential oils that are released when the coffee is ground. When coffee is brewed using an automatic drip coffee maker or other brewer that requires the use of coffee filters the essential oils become trapped in the filter and are not integrated into the flavor of the coffee. The French press does not use a paper filter. The plunger has a filter made of wire or mesh that allows all of the flavors from the coffee to be infused into the water to create a more flavorful beverage.
The only requirements for using a coffee press are the coffee press itself, coarse ground coffee and pre-boiled water. The popularity of the coffee press has reached a new high and they can be found in kitchen supply shops, gourmet coffee shops, on the Internet and in other retail locations. The coffee press goes by many names such as the French press, the press pot, the coffee press, and the coffee plunger. Knowing these names helps to identify a coffee press when shopping for one.
The coffee beans used in the coffee press are an important factor in the quality of the coffee the pot makes. If the beans are old or ground too soon they will lose their flavor and the resulting coffee will be of poor quality. The coffee beans should be coarsely ground and used quickly after grinding. The grind has to be coarse to prevent it from seeping through the plunger filter and into the coffee.
The water should be pre-boiled and ready to pour into the coffee press. This allows the water to cool to the ideal temperature when the coffee grounds are ready to be placed in the pot. After putting the coffee grounds in the coffee press the water should be poured slowly over the grounds so that they are completely saturated. It is not unusual to see a cloud of foam rise from the coffee. This is the bloom that results from the carbon dioxide being released from the coffee. If the bloom is very large this is a good indication that the coffee beans are old or were ground days before use.
The coffee and water should be stirred just enough to mix it together and then allowed to sit to create or brew the coffee. Once the coffee has reached the desired strength the plunger is placed in the pot and slowly pushed straight down to capture the coffee grounds beneath the plunger. The lid is placed on the coffee press and the coffee is then poured into cups for drinking.
The coffee press is ideal for people who only brew an occasional cup of coffee. It is also considered one of the best coffee brewers for true coffee aficionados who demand the very best in their coffee. The coffee press has been a part of the coffee world for hundreds of years and has shown that it will be continue to be part of brewing the best coffee.
-Sharon Chapman