Coffee french press: history, features and tips for use

The lack of a coffee maker is no reason to switch to an instant drink instead of your favorite freshly brewed one. Buying a french press will not be a serious burden for the budget, but it will allow you to quickly and easily make coffee at home.

The French press for coffee became known to the world in 1929. Italian designers Attilio Kallimani and Giulio Coin should thank for thiswho not only invented this device, but immediately patented it. As the industrial production of the piston structure, which allows brewing coffee, has become a French company, the name contains an indication of the country of origin. It happened in 1958.

However, it is still important to add that the first version of the french press was introduced back in 1852. Unfortunately, the device was imperfect and did not stop the thick from falling into the mug. The new version, presented by the Milan designers, had a special mesh instead of a metal plate that acts as a filter. Thanks to the innovation, the liquid and the thick were separated, and therefore the drink turned out the way it should be.

The French press is a glass container, hermetically closing the lid, with a handle and a piston. The pin of the latter is fixed in such a way that on one side it passes through the cover, and on the other side it is convenient to place a filter made of steel mesh. Having filled in ground coffee, it is necessary to fill in it with hot water, then strongly to press on the piston handle. Thus, all thick leaves will go down, lingering in the filter, and the finished drink will remain in the flask. Coffee brewing time may vary, and depending on this, the taste and saturation of the brewed beverage will vary. One of the main advantages of the French press is the ability to fully reveal the aroma of the drink and make the taste clean, devoid of any impurities. If you follow the instructions, then you can guarantee the absence of both bitterness and sourness, if they are not provided for by the coffee variety itself.

There is no particular difference between coffee and tea making presses. Outwardly, both devices can not even be distinguished from each other - the same flask with a pen and a piston. but presses are made from different materials and also use different filters. In addition, it is customary to choose small designs for a coffee drink, and those with a volume of 750 milliliters or more are suitable for tea.

In general, professionals distinguish several varieties of French presses. Classic french press corresponds to the original design and has some drawbacks. Since the flask contains only a certain number of cups of coffee, if you want to brew another drink, you have to rinse the entire device, including the filter. In a situation with a large number of people who want to try a drink, there are certain problems. In addition, sometimes small particles of thickening get into the liquid. Some companies are trying to improve their models and provide them with additional elements for the convenience of brewing coffee.

• If we consider the rating of models of a french press for making coffee, then the best specialists recognize the best device Bodum kenya. Its advantages include high quality, stylish design and the use of environmental materials that do not harm either human health or nature. TalleR presses are showing themselves well. The convenient nose of the flask made of heat resisting glass allows to pour drink, without leaving smudges.

• French German company Gipfel they look very modern and fit well into many kitchen interiors. Most often, the flask is purchased immediately with circles of the same brand. Inexpensive, but proven french-press brand Vitesse sold complete with mugs. The designs are made of high quality stainless steel and heat-resistant glass. The advantage of this choice is the ability to rinse the press in the dishwasher. Another good press manufacturer is Rondell.

• Espro Press Model differs from the classical presence of a double filter. The device, developed by a Canadian company, allows you to drink cleaner coffee without any impurities.

• American press It is a structure in which a small chamber in which coffee is poured is attached directly to the piston. Cooking technology in this case is different from the usual. At the bottom of the chamber, where coffee is poured, lightly soaked paper filter is laid out. The flask is filled with hot water, after which the piston is lowered so that the ground particles are only slightly wetted. After half a minute, the piston slowly begins to press so that after only one minute it reaches the bottom. In general, the drink should be brewed from 3.5 to 4 minutes.

• Finally there is Rite Coffee Press model, the camera of which is installed on the bottom of the flask, made of ceramic or stainless steel. For convenience, an hourglass is attached to the side of the structure, which acts as a timer.

To choose a french press, you need to consider several important factors. As for the material, there are several options: the flask can be made of glass, ceramic or stainless steel. Glass is used most often heat-resistant, but its resistance leaves much to be desired. In addition, cheap models often do not cope with temperature changes. It is recommended when buying to choose the kit that contains a spare flask just in case.

Ceramic and steel flasks are more durable, but slightly complicate the cooking process, since it is impossible to observe him. Nevertheless, the drink that is made in a french press made of ceramics is considered the most delicious. If possible, it is better to take a vessel with double walls that retain heat.

When buying, it would be good to inspect the handle of the French press - parts made of bamboo or coated with polymer are considered ideal. In any case, it is important that it does not heat up. The base of the flask must be sustainable.

Experts do not advise to buy cheap models, as they very quickly fail. There is no need to buy too expensive devices - as a rule, their high price is largely due to a reputable brand or an unusual design. The middle category is exactly what you should focus on. Operation will be much more convenient if a press is purchased that can be disassembled and rinsed calmly, so this advantage is important. Studying information about the glass used, you should focus on the company Pyrex, manufactures reliable heat-resistant glass.

In order to properly use a French coffee press, it is enough to prepare ground coffee once according to the instructions, and then brew the drink in the same way.To implement the venture will require 17 grams of ground coffee, which is equivalent to three teaspoons with a slide, as well as 250 milliliters of pure drinking water. In no case should not take water from the tap. Water must be filtered. Ideally, buy bottled water.

Besides, cooking is impossible without a kettle, a timer, and of the french press itself. Experts recommend choosing coarse ground coffee, which is visually easy to identify by the appearance of individual particles resembling granulated sugar.

As a rule, 7 grams of coffee is taken for 100 milliliters of water, but depending on the variety, the taste of the drink may vary, and therefore it is recommended to vary the ratio depending on your own feelings. When in doubt, you can simply pour the coffee either to the level of the lowered filter, or else to the mark of the beginning of the handle. Before you brew a drink, you need to thoroughly rinse the french press and be sure to dry it, as the sealed vessel tends to keep odors.

In the kettle, the water is brought to a boil, after which a couple of minutes wait until it cools. The temperature of the fluid used should be in the range of 90 to 95 degrees. In the next step, ground coffee is poured into a container. Before this, experts recommend to heat up a french press, pour in boiling water and shake it slightly. Similarly advised to do with a cup in which the drink will be served.

In a french press that already contains a coffee product, 100 milliliters of liquid is slowly poured from a freshly boiled kettle. Water should completely hide the entire coffee. The drink is mixed with a regular spoon and set aside for about one minute. Time is more convenient to track with a timer. Further, the rest of the water is carefully added, and the foam should not be damaged. The French press closes, and with the help of a timer, it detects 3 minutes.

Finally, the most important part of the preparation takes place - the piston goes down to the very bottom as accurately as possible. The movements should not be sharp or too strong - it is important that the piston go smoothly. The finished drink is immediately poured into a prepared mug, so as not to provoke a glut of taste. It is worth mentioning that spices are added to coffee while it is still brewing. Such varieties as cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, or combinations thereof are popular.

The used french press is washed every time after preparing an aromatic liquid. If you postpone this procedure, then inside can remain a persistent smell, which will eventually become very unpleasant. It is important not only to wash the flask, but also the filter, both in the reticulum and under it - it is in this difficult zone that the grains of the ground product often remain. From time to time it is recommended to disassemble the filter and clean all its parts separately.

How to make coffee in a french press, see the video below.