What is a French press and why is it needed?

What is a French press and why is it needed?

A French press refers to a small devicefor brewing ground coffee and tea and, in fact, the very method of brewing coffee. There are French presses of different sizes and types, but they are all based on the principle of boiling coffee with boiling water and then separating the finished beverage from the coffee suspension.

French press
The French press, as it is not difficult to guess from the title,is a device invented in France. Coffee makers of this type appeared as early as the middle of the 19th century, but went into mass production only in the 30s of the 20th century. At the moment, the French press, along with dzhezvoy, is the most versatile of all the ways to prepare ground coffee, although the drink prepared in it is much different from what can be done with a Turkish, coffee machine or drip coffee.

The sequence of cooking coffee in a French press

Technology of preparing coffee in a French pressis quite simple. For the smallest French jacket (0.35 l), take 3 teaspoons of coffee and pour water at a temperature of 90 ° C. At the same time, it is necessary to note the time: the best coffee taste is brewed for 4 minutes. After this, it is necessary to lower the puncher (press) downwards in order to stop brewing the coffee, and you can pour the drink over the cups. For the best disclosure of taste, it is necessary to pass the boiling surface of the flask before the coffee is filled.

Quality of components when cooking coffee in a French press

Water for making coffee in the pressmust necessarily be clean and soft, better spring. Coffee can be taken of any sort and grind (this french-press is much more convenient than other methods of welding), including coarse grinding of a home hand grinder. Experienced baristas recommend to take elite coffee - Blue Mountain, Kopi Luwak, different kinds of bourbons - for this way, because the French press can uncover the aroma of coffee beans without mixing the sour or bitter tastes that arise when cooking in jezve or a coffee machine. It is best to cook this way mono-coffee, and not blends, to fully show the differences of tastes of different varieties. When cooking coffee in this way, do not forget that, despite the mild taste, the drink will be quite full of caffeine (especially if you keep the press open for more than 5-6 minutes). It should be remembered that the design of this type of coffee machine is quite fragile and the glass bulb, despite its heat resistance, can crack from strong pressure or an awkward blow.

Alternative ways to use a french press

In addition to cooking coffee, a French press can servean excellent kettle, especially for flower teas and tea drinks. Particularly beautiful in the transparent flask will look budding buds of roses and petals of jasmine. Also in the French press, you can brew winter teas with spices: anise, cardamom, cinnamon sticks and cloves. Varying tea brewing time, you can experiment with the richness of the taste.