The French press

The French press (or cafetière) is designed for brewing coffee, tea, fruit-berry blends, and herbal infusions. It takes the form of a straight flask with a spout, containing a plunger with a mesh bottom.

At some point throughout the brewing process, the plunger moves vertically to separate the brewed base from the liquid, removing the grounds from the brewed beverage.

The 8 steps of the brewing process:

1. Boil the water to the proper temperature. A standard cup requires about 195–205 °F.
2. Grind the coffee beans to a coarse grind. The amount of coffee depends on the size of the French press and the desired beverage strength.
3. Add the ground coffee to the French press.
4. Pour hot water over the coffee in the French press, making sure that all the coffee is soaked.
5. Gently stir the mixture with a spoon to evenly distribute all the coffee grounds.
6. Close the French press lid and allow the coffee to infuse for 4-5 minutes, depending on the desired strength.
7. Slowly press the plunger, spreading the force evenly, until it reaches the bottom of the French press. This separates the coffee grounds from the brewed coffee.
8. Pour the coffee into a mug or coffee pot.

The popular method of brewing coffee in a French press is characterised by its simplicity and the possibility of obtaining a rich, full-bodied cup of coffee with minimal effort.