Cafetière / French Press / Coffee Plunger

The Cafetière is one of the most popular, widely known brewing devices. It has a variety of different names and is also known, amongst others, as the French press, coffee press, press pot or coffee plunger. This is one of the most underrated methods of brewing coffee and done correctly you can brew some fantastic coffee.

#1 Setup 

Pre-heat the Cafetière with hot water, rinse and discard this water. You will need 220 ml of water per person, so put at least 300 ml of water on to boil per person. 

#2 Add Coffee

Measure and grind 12 g of coffee per person. Grind your coffee beans to a medium-coarse grind; aim as fine as coarse sand. Add the coffee to the Cafetière.

#3 Brew

Let the boiled water cool for a few minutes. If you have a thermometer, aim for a water temperature of 93.5 °C / 200 °F. Start a timer and begin pouring approximately 75% of the the water. Without pressing down on the plunger, place the lid on the Cafetière. 

After 2 minutes, remove the lid and gently stir the coffee . Pour the remaining 25% of the water into the pot. Using two spoons, skim the top oils and any remaining floating ground coffee off the top of the brew. This will produce a cleaner cup. Without pressing down on the plunger again place the lid on the Cafetière.   

#4 Plunge

After 4 minutes, slowly press down on the plunger until it is at the bottom of the Cafetière.

#4 Drink and enjoy

Decant your coffee into cup(s) and enjoy!