How To Brew: Cafetière | French Press

by Antonia Morrison

The Cafetiere (also known as a French Press) is a classic and simple immersion brewing method that produces a full-bodied, rich coffee.  It’s a great option for those who enjoy coffee with a heavier mouthfeel and robust flavour.


What You’ll Need:

  • Cafetière/French Press
  • Noni's Coffee Beans (or ground coffee)
  • Grinder (if using whole beans)
  • Kettle
  • Scale (optional)
  • Timer
  • Stirrer or Spoon
  • Hot Water (94° or just off the boil)

 

Brew Ratio:

  • Coffee-to-water ratio: 1:15 to 1:17 (1g of coffee to 15-17g of water).
  • For a standard French Press, use 30g of coffee for 500g of water. Adjust according to taste preference.

 

1. Grind the Coffee

Grind your coffee beans to a coarse grind, similar to breadcrumbs or coarse sea salt. For a standard 4-cup Cafetière, you'll need 30g of coffee.

2. Boil Water

Bring filtered water to a boil, then let it cool slightly (around 94°C). You’ll need 500g of water for this brew.

3. Preheat the Cafetiere

Preheat your Cafetière by adding some hot water and swirling it around. Discard the preheating water before brewing to ensure the coffee brews evenly and stays hot longer.

4. Add Coffee Grounds

Place your Cafetiere on the scale (if using) and add the 30g of ground coffee. Tare the scale to zero.

5. Add Water and Bloom

Start your timer. Pour 60g of hot water (twice the weight of the coffee) over the grounds, ensuring all of the coffee is saturated. Stir the mixture gently and let it sit for 30 seconds to allow the coffee to "bloom" and release gases.

6. Pour Remaining Water

After the bloom, pour the remaining 440g of hot water in a slow, steady stream until the scale reaches 500g total. Give the coffee a gentle stir to make sure all the grounds are evenly mixed with the water.

7. Steep for 6 Minutes

Let the coffee steep for 3 minutes, give it a gentle stir and then leave to brew for a further 3 minutes. This is the optimal time for extraction, giving the coffee a rich and bold flavour without becoming overly bitter.

8. Press the Plunger

After 6 minutes, place the plunger on and slowly press the plunger down with steady pressure. Take your time, as plunging too quickly can unsettle the coffee sediment.

9. Serve and Enjoy

Once the plunger is fully pressed down, pour the coffee immediately into your cup or a serving carafe to avoid over-extraction. Enjoy your full-bodied cup of coffee with its rich flavours!

coffee-and-croissant

 

Tips for Better Cafetière Coffee:

  • Grind size: If your coffee is too bitter, try a coarser grind. If it's too weak, use a finer grind.
  • Water temperature: Water that’s too hot can over-extract and burn the coffee, leading to bitterness. Water that’s too cool may under-extract and produce a flat taste.
  • Brewing time: Adjust the steeping time based on taste. 6 minutes is a standard time, but you can steep for longer if you prefer a stronger brew.
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