Anyone ever had it? Im interested in it and making it. I hear it is more cancerous as there is no filter, I dont know how much truth there is to that. Just wondering in the taste difference, investment it takes, etc.
I've had french press before. I thought it was pretty good and definitely a little stronger than just a normal coffee pot. It's better to use a little thicker ground coffee to prevent any of the coffee getting through the filter when it's pressed.
Cancerous??? I've never heard of coffee being linked to cancer before. Edit: Ahhh was this a joke that went over my head?
We bought a cheapo press a while back. Tried it a few times but thought it was a bit too much hassle and not any better coffee than the coffee maker we have. Maybe there are some tricks to it like water temp or whatever but we couldn't see the sense in it after a few attempts. I think we spent $10 on a small two cup press at some kitchen store in the mall. I wouldn't think the coffee would be any better coming out of a more expensive one. We grind our beans at home anyway so just used the same coffee we used in the coffee maker. Also, we like our coffee VERY strong and that may not be the best use for a press.
No, I read on some articles that french press was the worst for your health. Yea I read that you should get an expensive grinder for french press as the grinds make all the difference. The temp should be 200 degrees along with other steps. I don't know of any cafe's that do french press, id like to try it out before going full fledged into it buying expensive grinders and all. I just read about vietnamese coffee, described as "haagen daaz in the mouth" I think I may try that too. This website is one ive been reading on. Sorry not much to do over here but think and wish until I get home. I actually wish I had come upon this fascination earlier on, that way I couldve been brewing coffee sooner. Coffee Overview
So are you supposed to have fine ground or coarse ground coffee in a press. The grinder we have will grind any way we choose. Or are you talking about using a burr grinder?
Depending on my various needs, I use a traditional electric coffee maker, a french press, or a pour-through filter contraption kind of like Hooker's above. I also grind my own beans with an adjustable burr grinder. This is more like a mill wheel, and NOT one of those $10 glorified food processors that maul and mangle their way through coffee beans. My coffee maker does great for making large amounts of coffee fairly quickly (not too quick - fast is NOT better). If I have time, I prefer to use the pour through - just seems to taste fresher, but otherwise very similar to the electric. I use the same grind for that as the electric coffee maker. If I have a lot of time, usually at night if the wife and I are having coffee with dessert or something, I get out the french press. I use a grind about half-way (on my grinder) between my coffee maker grind and the coursest grind available, for a french press. This is necessary to keep the grounds from going right through the screen on the plunger when you press it. First I start a pot of water heating on the stove - seems to work better, for me, than the microwave, and it is easier to control temp. Second I grind the beans and put them in the bottom of the press. When the water boils I take it off the heat and wait for about 20-30 seconds. Next I pour in about 1/2 cup of the water, then stir the water and the grounds together until a thick slurry forms. Then I fill the french press to the correct level - the first few times you will want to measure the water - after that you learn where it should be. Next I put on the lid with the plunger attached. Make sure the plunger is resting on top of the water, but is not starting to press. Set the timer for 4 minutes. When the timer goes off press the coffee slowly - should take 30-45 seconds to fully depress the plunger. Then I like to wait another 30-60 seconds to let some of the fine particulate that manages to make its way around the screen settle out. Finally I pour the coffee for me and the wife. It takes a while, and I don't do it every day (usually), but it is worth it. French press coffee has a different body than other types. Maybe it has something to do with the lack of a filter. Whatever it is, it is good!
Im about to splurge on a $90 conical bur grinder and then buy the french press and vietnamese coffee filter to try both. Too bad I didn't get into this earlier, I wouldve had all the time in the world to do it here.
stopped using a tradional brewer and just brew a cup at a time with my keurig using my own grounds rather thay spending a fortune for k-cups. had french press coffee and it is not bad but like mentioned don't use too fine of a grind otherwise you will be spitting coffee grounds
