subject: Perfect French Press Coffee [print this page] Coffee plunger? Coffee pot? French press or cafetiere? These are the different names for this wonderful product which allows you to enjoy freshly pressed coffee in your own home whenever you please.
Thought to be invented in the 1800s, the French press was not patented and embraced until the late 1920s where an enterprising Italian man took it on and made numerous improvements to the design. Consisting of a narrow beaker/pot that is often made of either glass, plastic or metal, the French press also has a lid and a plunger or rod attached to a fine metal mesh which is used to push and filter the coffee downwards.
Over the years since its invention, the French press has had many people trying to fashion the product slightly differently, as it is a great thing to bring out at the end of a dinner party. Of course, the French press is a very attractive and alluring device - but that is not all of what attracts people to it. The idea of being able to have freshly brewed coffee that allows the grounds to be fully immersed in the hot water, allowing the absorption of the flavors and oils, means that the cafetiere is capable of producing a very, very good cup of coffee - and with sufficient variation from changing the beans you use.
More recently, bars and restaurants have started to adopt the French press to serve coffee. It has very little overhead (cleaning and filling with coffee), and gives the drinker a sense of sophistication when topping off a meal.
There are many French presses on the market - some from the established brands such as La Cafetiere or Bodum, but there are also the more generic high street and supermarket brands. When buying a cafetiere you want to make sure that there is a good solid seal between the inside of the beaker or glass jar and the filter that you plunge down with to filter the coffee. This ensures that as many of the coffee grounds as possible are pushed to the bottom of the pot.
There are a number of things to be aware of when brewing your coffee in a French press. It is a good idea to warm up your cup or mug beforehand, as the water has already been cooling down for a few minutes before you pour out the first. Also, remember not to leave it steeping too long, as by the time you get to the second cup, it will be super strong.
