Coffee should be brewed for 4.5-5 minutes using a ratio of 55 grams of ground coffee per liter of filtered water (195-205°F). It is convenient to use one standard 7.25 gram scoop of coffee per 5 ounces of water. If you don't have a scoop you can use about 2 tablespoons of coffee and adjust up or down for your own taste. Filtered water and spring water are recommended. Tap water imparts off flavors to the coffee and some minerals are essential to coffee flavor. Distilled water is not recommended for brewing coffee, as it lacks the minerals to bring out the natural flavors of the coffee.

French Press

While any coffee will work in a French Press, some coffees are more desirable than others. Some coffee drinkers prefer dark roast coffee with a full body and medium to low acidity. For example, you might buy a full city or french roasted bean like Sumatra or Kenya AA Plus. A coarse grind works best for the French Press. This will ensure that the mesh screen will filter the coffee grounds and separate the liquid from the sediments.

The Process

Measure two level tablespoons of ground coffee for every six ounces of water. Water selection is another topic entirely, but common sense should prevail: the higher quality the water, the better your coffee will taste. Fill the tea kettle with cold water and bring the water to a boil. When you pull the water off the flame, it will cool slightly and it will be just a bit under 212 degrees Fahrenheit (that's 100 degrees Celsius at one atmosphere of pressure). Pour the water directly into the French Press over the coffee grounds.

Put the French Press lid on the pot, but do not depress the plunger yet. Putting the lid on the French Press will ensure that your coffee will retain heat for the appropriate amount of time. Start your timer, after about one minute remove the plunger and give the coffee grinds a swirl with a spoon. Let the coffee "steep" for a total of 3 to 5 minutes. This time window is long enough to extract all the positive flavors from the coffee without any bitter/negative flavors extracted.

The coffee grounds will swell during the steeping time. As the coffee brews, you will start to notice the grinds gently falling to the bottom of the press. After the appropriate amount of steeping, gently press the French Press plunger down. The mesh filter will push the coffee grounds to the bottom and separate the liquid from the coffee grounds. Pour the coffee into your favorite mug and enjoy! Remember any coffee left in the decanter will continue to steep so make just enough to enjoy in one sitting.

Buying Tip

When purchasing coffee, always ask when it was roasted. Many common misconceptions exist when it comes to judging the freshness and optimum time to experience a roasted coffee at its peak of perfection. Generally coffee is best if used a day or two after roasting. If kept in an air tight container, flavor should not diminish significantly until after seven to ten days. Old coffee beans may appear very oily, will have little or no aroma, or will take on a somewhat unpleasant aroma.