What if I told you that the French Press wasn’t French at all? Shocking, I know. What if I also revealed that it was the brainchild of two Italian gentlemen attempting to create a tomato juice separator? Equally surprising. And what if I flip-flopped again and claimed it was a French innovation, the result of one man’s blunder in boiling his water before adding it to his coffee?
Honestly, the debate over the true inventor of the French Press has persisted for decades, with countless origin stories for this exceedingly popular coffee brewing method.
People often approach me (well, in my imagination, at least) and say, “Zac, I really want to start using a French Press, but it seems so darn complicated!” I assure you that although it’s a brewing method that demands patience, practically anyone can master making coffee with it. I’m here to strip the French Press coffee brewing process down to the bare bones.
Step 1: Water
You can’t make delicious French Press coffee without water—that’s a fact. Start by boiling some water in your electric kettle; it’s fine if you boil a little extra. Aim for a water temperature around 195°F, just below boiling, perfect for an ideal French Press.
Step 2: Prepare the Press
Preparing your French Press is as crucial as any other step. Preheat your empty press by pouring some hot water into it. Introducing coffee and hot water to French Press at room temperature is a no-go—the coffee gods would not be pleased.
Step 3: Grind (Not the Dance)
For a French Press, you’ll need a coarse grind of your Bones coffee beans (why not try one of these?). Finer coffee grounds could clog your filter or slip through your brewed coffee after you plunge.
Step 4: Let’s Make Some Coffee!
Yes, we’re at step four and only now starting to make French Press coffee. Patience, remember? This step is multilayered, by the way!
Pour about 7–8 grams of your preferred Bones Coffee blend into your press for every 200ml of water. The exact amount will depend on the size of your press and the brew time.
Gently pour water over the coffee grounds until they’re just covered. This allows the delicious coffee to “bloom” and release CO2—essential for unlocking the best flavor. Give it about 30 seconds, then stir to break any crust that’s formed.
Next, fill the press with the remaining water, but not to the brim. Remember, the lid and plunger need space to operate.
Place the lid on to retain heat. Now, resist the urge to plunge just yet—patience is key!
Wait for four minutes. It might feel like an eternity, but it’s the perfect time to scroll through TikTok (@bonescoffee).
Press the plunger down slowly, with caution—it’s hot!
Step 5: Pour and Enjoy
Your diligence is about to be rewarded. Prep your favorite Bones Coffee Company mug, add any sweetener or creamer you like, and pour yourself a cup of French Press coffee. Enjoy!
(Quick Tip: If you’re not going to drink all the French Press coffee at once, decant it. This prevents the brew from getting too strong or bitter as it sits.)
And that’s it, dear coffee aficionado. Thanks for embarking on this French Press adventure with me. On behalf of everyone here at Bones—Profitez de notre café!
$55.00 Discover the art of the perfect brew with the CHAMBORD French press coffee maker. The French press system is beloved by coffee aficionados worldwide for its simplicity of brewing and purity of taste. And the CHAMBORD is the original and best… read moreBodum Chambord French Press | 8 Cup / 34oz
