French Press coffee is one of the most versatile ways to make a good cup of joe. Although the steps for brewing coffee are quite simple, coffee-goers should consider each step carefully.
The wrong French press water temp could turn the perfect French press coffee cup into the worst cup. Do you brew your coffee with the right water temp?
What Is French Press Coffee?
French press coffee is the brewing process of coffee using a device that requires no electrical connection. It is simple yet elegant. French presses are the perfect tool for multiple occasions.
This coffee masterpiece works thanks to a few easy-to-use components. The French press coffee maker has a beaker-like body with a vertical plunger. A fine wire mesh is placed beneath the plunger to prevent the ground coffee and water from mixing after pressing.
French presses allow coffee drinkers to enjoy a fuller-body coffee with a bit of punch. The manual process of making coffee allows avid coffee lovers to precisely brew the perfect cup desired for their taste.
People can take their French press, also known as a coffee press, across the world and enjoy hot coffee wherever they go. All they need is three ingredients: coarse ground coffee beans, hot water, and the French press.
Why Does French Press Water Temp Matter?
Did you know that water temperature is super important for making coffee in a French press, let alone in other machines?
That’s right! If your water temperature isn’t spot on or close to it, you might end up with a coffee that is hard to swallow.
Three things can happen when preparing the water for your next cup of coffee:
- You over-boil water and pour it onto the ground coffee immediately at higher temperatures. Effect: Strong coffee with a burnt taste.
- The water is perfectly boiled and rested and poured at the right temperature. Effect: Perfect cup of coffee.
- Your water doesn’t boil enough, and you fill the French press with warm water at lower temperatures. Effect: Coffee tastes watery, light, and on the sweet side.
Whichever scenario takes place in your french press, you can expect the results to either go right or wrong.
Who would’ve thought that water temp matters when making coffee in a french press?
What Is the Ideal Temperature for French Press?
There isn’t one particular temperature degree that will be best for boiling coffee water. Once your water finishes boiling and exposes itself to air, the temperature slowly declines.
The most ideal temperature for french presses is rather a range of temperatures than one single three-digit number. If you want the best-tasting cup of coffee and have already perfected every other step, consider boiling your water no more than 205 degrees Fahrenheit.
The trick is to not allow your coffee to be within or above the boiling point (208F – 2012F). The taste will become too strong and easily noticeable when pouring boiling water directly over the grounds.
If you want to pour hot water into the french press at a specific degree, you better make your moves quickly. It is best to aim for anywhere between 195 degrees and 205 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything colder and your coffee will appear weak and sweetened.
For Best Results Use a Thermometer
You might be asking yourself; should I use a thermometer to measure the water temperature when I make coffee? The short answer is: yes!
Using a thermometer or any temperature measuring instrument will give you the best results as you can add the perfect temp water to your french press.
When you are in a rush and need to make coffee fast, burning coffee is almost a guarantee. This mainly happens due to pouring the water directly into the french press once you turn off the heat.
The truth is that too hot of water can extract the essential compounds from your coffee, leaving you with a hard-to-drink cup of joe. When water is over-boiled, your coffee will lose some of its body, making it more undesirable sip after sip.
If you want your cup of coffee perfect, we recommend using a water temp thermometer.
How To Use the French Press To Make Coffee
You don’t have to be Einstein to make coffee with a french press. The brewing method is relatively straightforward if all steps are followed precisely.
In this quick how-to, we will guide you through the process so you can brew your next cup of coffee like a pro.
Step 1: Prepare the Coffee Area
- Grab your french press and place it on a flat surface.
- Remove the plunger and place it aside.
- Grab your beans and weigh them to have the right Coffee-To-Water Ratio.
- Grind them to a coarse texture if not already ground.
- Boil some water and let it stand for one minute.
Step 2: Add Coffee & Water
- Add the measured coffee grounds to the french press.
- After the boiling water is no longer boiling (1 minute later), pour the amount just to submerge the coarse grind. Gently stir the grounds and water for 10 seconds. Allow it to bloom for 30 to 50 seconds and release carbon dioxide.
- Pour the balance hot water as per the calculated ratio into the french press (around 200 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal).
Step 3: Steep & Press
- Grab the plunger and slide it into the french press until it sits just above the water and coffee grounds.
- Allow the coffee to steep for 3-4 minutes before completing the press.
- Once the time passes, slowly press the plunger the rest of the way to the bottom of the coffee device.
Step 4: Pour & Enjoy
- Turn the nozzle to the pouring mode and pour the brewed coffee into your coffee mug.
- For best results, fully disassemble the french press and wash it after every use.
Just like that, you now know how to make the perfect cup of coffee using a french press. You can invite some friends over and show them your barista skills.
Conclusion
In this guide, we provided you with all the tools and methods to perfect your next cup of coffee. Do you now understand how french press water temp makes a difference?
We’d like to hear from you. How do you make your coffee with a french press? Does water temp matter to you? Let us know below in the comments.