I learned how to make the best French press recipe ‘café au lait’ when I was a young adult just starting to study at Montreal University. I recently moved to an apartment that mainly looked like a communal place. All the renters shared a beautiful garden with flowers and veggies, a pond, and a pergola. It was amazing. The neighborhoods had high poverty levels but we felt safe in our little paradise garden. My downstairs neighbors were the best couple in the building. Gigi & Pierre. Pierre worked in a bar for a couple of hours a day. The rest of the day he played chess or listened to jazz music and smoked Camel cigarettes. Gigi was a musician and an incredible pianist. She was teaching music and sometimes played the accordion in the subway station where she was making good money. They were a generation older and wiser and quickly became my mentors.
Gigi and Pierre were both backpack travelers and learned to make a feast with no budget. They often entertain the whole building with a large table full of delicious meals. Pierre was a coffee lover and a Bodum of ‘café au lait’ often sat on the kitchen counter. The smell in their apartment was a mix of Camel and coffee and the aroma felt exotic to me. This is where I learned how to use a French press and when I had my first great cup of coffee. Every time I make it, I think about my lovely French friends and how I miss their eclectic company.
French press coffee makers
To make a French press brew, I always used a Bodum brand carafe. It’s inexpensive, easy to clean and to use. We even called the recipe a Bodum. It sounded like: ‘Hey Pierre, are you going to make us a Bodum after dinner?’ Seriously, we did not have to ask him, it was always there!
According to the official bodum website; ‘The original design dates back to the pre-war period when the Italian Attilio Calimani developed the basic principle. Bodum founder, Jørgen Bodum began work on his version of the French press in the 1970s, but it was the acquisition of Melior-Martin in 1991 – a company that produced a dome-shaped French press – This special shatterproof version has the clarity of glass but is lightweight.’ 1
Also, my friends were pioneers in recycling and reusing. That French press method was and still is more environmentally friendly than many coffee-brewing methods – no paper filters or plastic capsules are required.
Coffee grounds and grind size for your Fench Press
When it comes to coffee grounds and grind size, there’s no need to overcomplicate things. French press calls for a coarser grind size. You can try any grind size but I would avoid super fine espresso style just because it will go through the plunger. I read that it is recommended, by James Hoffmann that you grind your coffee beans yourself in a coffee grinder for best results. If you have one, go ahead. But, I like it both ways, the brewing process is the same and I do not see any huge taste difference. The main advantage is that it takes less time in your morning routine if you buy it already grounded.
Coffee-to-water ratio
I add 1 tablespoon of coffee to 1 cup of water. My Bodum has a 4-cup capacity so I add 4 tablespoons.
Sometimes measurement of cups could be confusing. I live in the USA so I will tell you how I translate it.
European cup sizes: 1 Cup = about 4oz
American cup sizes: 1 Cup = 8oz
When you buy a French press that pretends to be 8 cups capacity, it is 4 American cups total of 16 oz or 1 liter. You can use tiny European 4oz cups and pretend you’re drinking your coffee in Europe!
French press Coffee’s flavors
The taste and texture are different from any coffee you ever have. It’s bold and so thick almost like a delicious coffee paste. It’s the best cup of coffee if you need a kick of caffeine to study or to get through the day. A nice addition to the flavor is to add some organic sugar to your cup of coffee. A little bit will do the trick.
What kind of coffee bean do I use?
I used to buy Colombian-origin beans. I would go to the farmers market and buy the Columbian dark roast coffee beans. They were kept in a clear container and you could see the oil sipping out of the beans. The more oily the better. The dark roast meant that the beans were roasted longer and more oils appeared on the surface as the coffee. This was divine.
Now I use ArborDay Coffee Beans. This coffee is grown under the canopy of the rain forest, meaning a richer, more delicious cup of coffee. But our coffee doesn’t just taste great — it’s also changing the world. With every sip, you are supporting farmers dedicated to preserving rainforest lands and planting more trees. 2 Use the coffee you like, there are no rules for that recipe. Enjoy your cup!
How much caffeine kick?
When it comes to caffeine content, one shot of espresso contains between 29 to 100mg per serving, whereas a cup of French press coffee ranges from 80-135mg of caffeine. If you find your coffee is too weak or too strong, adjust the brewing time by letting the grounds steep a short time to make a weaker brew, or longer to develop a stronger cup of coffee.
My Friend Pierre's French Press Coffee Recipe
Did you know that the French Press is the easiest way to brew a rich, perfect cup of café au lait? Just add ground coffee, hot water, and milk let it steep, then press down the filter. Voilà! Enjoy your delicious brew. Cheers!
Ingredients
- You will need: 4 tablespoons of coffee, 3 cups of water, and 1 cup of milk (Experiment with different types of milk, such as almond milk, and soy milk, for a non-dairy alternative.)
Instructions
- Place the coffee press on a flat surface, hold the handle firmly, and pull the plunger up and out of the carafe.
- Add one rounded tablespoon of coarse ground coffee (for each cup/8oz liquid) to the bottom of the carafe. ex: 4 tablespoons of coffee for a full 4 cup bodum.
- Boil water (you can use filtered water if you prefer)
- Pour hot water into the carafe leaving a 25 % at the top, then add your cup of milk.
- Place the plunger unit on top of the pot and turn the lid so the pour spout is closed to retain the heat.
- The sweet spot seems to be waiting four minutes for a better brew, then slowly lower the plunger. Turn the lid to open the pour spout and pour your perfect cup of coffee.
Notes
Wash in warm, soapy water before first use and dry thoroughly. All parts are dishwasher-safe if you prefer.
Rinse your plunger and your carafe with water and don't forget to compost your used coffee grounds.
The final brew
You can use your French press for other good things than coffee. Here are good ideas of French press recipes from Epicurious..
If you like this recipe, I have a couple more in archive that you may like here
I hope you will enjoy your perfect cup of French press coffee, the way I do. The easy way of simple pleasure. Thanks for reading until the end and see you next time!
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