How to make cafetiere or French press coffee?

When and where was the cafetiere invented?

The history of the cafetière, more commonly known as the French press, is a tale of innovation and international collaboration. Its origins trace back to France in the 19th century. The initial design was quite rudimentary, involving a metal or cheesecloth screen attached to a rod, which was then plunged into a pot containing boiling water and ground coffee. This early model was not without its flaws, as the screen failed to effectively filter out all the coffee grounds.

The design was refined and officially patented in 1929 by Italian designers Attilio Calimani and Giulio Moneta. Their version significantly improved upon the earlier French design, introducing a more efficient and user-friendly mechanism. This patent marked the beginning of the cafetière's journey towards the modern design we recognise today.

Further advancements were made by another Italian, Faliero Bondanini, who patented his own version in 1958. Manufactured in France by a company named Martin S.A., Bondanini's design, known as "Chambord", solidified the French press's association with French culture and coffee-making tradition. The Chambord model, with its iconic design, was particularly instrumental in popularising the French press across Europe.

Over the years, the French press has undergone various modifications, but the core principles of its operation remain unchanged. It is celebrated for its simplicity and the rich, full-bodied coffee it produces. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the ingenuity and refinement that transformed a basic idea into an essential part of coffee culture worldwide.

Why is it important to use coarse ground coffee when brewing with cafetiere or French press?

The French press method involves steeping coffee grounds in hot water for several minutes. Fine grounds, due to their larger surface area when compared to coarse grounds, are prone to over-extraction when steeped for extended periods.

Over-extraction results in a brew that is excessively bitter and lacks the nuanced flavours of the coffee. Coarse grounds, on the other hand, extract more slowly, allowing for a balanced extraction that captures the coffee's full range of flavours without the bitterness.

The French press employs a metal mesh filter, which is less fine than paper filters. This design cannot effectively filter out very fine coffee particles. When fine grounds are used, they can slip through the mesh, leading to an unpleasant gritty sediment in the final cup.

Coarse grounds, being larger, are less likely to pass through the filter. This ensures a cleaner cup of coffee, free from the residue that can mar the drinking experience.

How to make cafetiere coffee - a step by step guide:

Step 1

Place the cafetiere or French press on a flat and dry surface. Holding the handle firmly, pull out the plunger.

Step 2

Add a heaping tablespoon (7-8 grams) of coffee to the pot (per 200 ml water). It's important that the coffee is coarse ground (see above).

Step 3

Pour in hot water and stir (the water should be hot, but not boiling)

Step 4

Reinsert the plunger, stopping carefully just above the water and ground coffee, and let it stand for 3-4 minutes. (do not plunge yet).

Step 4

Now, press the plunger slowly down steadily.

Step 5

Wash the pot with water and mild detergent after each use. Dry it thoroughly before storing it.

Let me tell you a little secret. It’s all about the balance; the medium. If you choose very coarse grinds, there is a chance they may clog the filter. If you choose too fine grounds, they will pass through the filter and as a result, you will have this muddy concoction, surely coffee, but not what you wanted.

How to make the perfect cup of cafetiere coffee?

Here’s a little guide to make yourself a cup of coffee that you could only dream of before.

What are the best coffee beans for brewing with cafetiere coffee?

Since there are dozens of beans available at the market, you need to find the right one. Here’s a simple checklist for you.

If you want high caffeine levels in your coffee, choose the one that is a light roast. Unlike popular belief, the darker the roast, the lower is the caffeine amount. As the darker roast takes longer, more caffeine is burnt out.
Now, do you prefer a rich, deep flavour or a lighter, rather sweeter one? For the former, you choose the dark roasted beans and for the latter, you should go for the lightly roasted. If you are a beginner, start off with the lightly roasted. You don’t wanna give your taste buds a trip to NOPE-town.
Make sure your beans are coarsely grounded; not too big, not too fine, and powdered.
Always make sure you use fresh beans. The older the beans are, the blander they are likely to taste.

Tips & tricks for brewing with cafetieres

The next step is to choose the device you are going to use, if you are using a French Press, make sure when you grind your beans, they are coarse but have the right size, otherwise, they’ll leave too much of the residue behind.

If you are way too much into coffee, you should find a good grinder. It is as important as your coffee maker.

Find the flavours according to your palate. Whatever else you like in your coffee, milk, half-and-half, whipped cream, cinnamon, chocolate shavings, or many more.

However, make sure you know the calorie intake for the extra toppings on your coffee.