How To Make Espresso With A French Press: A Step-By-Step Guide To Rich Flavour

Here’s what you need to make the best espresso with a French Press:

Coffee aficionados know that there’s nothing quite like the deep, rich flavour of a freshly pulled espresso shot. However, not all of us have access to a professional espresso machine at home. Enter the French Press, a versatile and beloved brewing method that can be used to create an espresso-like coffee right in your own kitchen. By choosing the right beans and following a specific technique, you can enjoy a bold, flavourful cup that approximates the strength and taste of a traditional espresso.

Choosing The Right Beans

When aiming for an espresso-like brew with a French Press, the beans play a critical role. Dark roasted beans are often preferred for their robust flavour profile, mirroring the intensity of an espresso. Here are some suggestions:

Arabica Beans: Known for their mild flavour and sweet, soft taste.
Robusta Beans: Offering a stronger, harsher taste compared to Arabica. Great if you want a punchy flavour.
Blends of Arabica and Robusta: This can give you a balanced flavor, with the richness of Robusta tempered by the smoothness of Arabica.

Opt for freshly ground beans, and use a burr grinder if possible. The grind should be slightly coarser than what you would use for an espresso machine but finer than the typical French Press grind.

The Brewing Process

Here’s how to make your French Press ‘espresso’:

Preheat the French Press: Pour hot water into the press to warm it up. Empty it after a minute.
Add Coffee: Place your ground coffee into the bottom of the French Press. A good ratio is 1 ounce of coffee to 4 ounces of water.
Pour Water: Add hot water (just off the boil, around 200°F) to the French Press.
Stir: Give the brew a quick stir to ensure the coffee grounds are fully saturated.
Steep: Place the lid onto your French Press with the plunger pulled all the way up. Let the coffee steep for 4 minutes.
Plunge: Press down on the plunger slowly and evenly.
Serve: Pour your rich and bold ‘espresso’ into an espresso cup or small mug.

Conclusion

Making espresso with a French Press may not provide the exact result you get from a specialized espresso machine, but it can deliver a satisfying and flavourful approximation. By carefully selecting your beans and following these steps, you can enjoy a coffee that’s robust, rich, and redolent of the beloved espresso flavour. So go ahead, embrace your French Press in a new way, and enjoy the vibrant world of espresso-like coffee without the need for specialized equipment!

FAQs: Making Espresso With A French Press

How much coffee do I put in a French press?

A general guideline is to use a 1:15 ratio of coffee to water. For making espresso-like coffee, a more concentrated 1:4 ratio is recommended, using 30 grams of coffee to 120 millilitres of water.

How much coffee do I put in a Bodum French press?

For a Bodum French Press, the ratio remains the same. If you have an 8-cup Bodum French Press, use 113 grams of coffee grounds with 475 millilitres of water to get a strong, espresso-like brew.

How long do you steep coffee in a French press?

The standard steeping time in a French press is 4 minutes. If you prefer a bolder flavour, you may extend this time slightly, but be careful not to over-steep as it may result in bitterness.

Why is French press coffee so much better?

French press coffee is often considered better because it allows the essential oils and flavours to be fully extracted from the coffee grounds. This method offers a rich, full-bodied taste and allows for greater control over the brewing process.

Do you put coffee or water in the French Press first?

You should add the coffee grounds first, followed by hot water. This ensures that the grounds are evenly saturated and allows them to bloom properly, enhancing the flavour extraction.

Which beans are best for French press coffee?

For French press coffee, medium to dark roast beans are typically preferred. Beans with a coarser grind will prevent over-extraction and bitterness. Arabica beans or a blend of Arabica and Robusta can be excellent choices, depending on your taste preference. Freshly ground beans are always best for full flavour.