FRENCH PRESS RECIPE

What You'll Need:

- French press (typically 8-cup capacity)
- Coarsely ground coffee beans (about 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio)
- Hot water (just off boiling, around 200°F or 93°C)
- Timer
- Stirring utensil

Instructions:

1. Preparation:
- Start by boiling water and letting it cool slightly to around 200°F (93°C).
- Measure out coarsely ground coffee beans. A good starting point is 56 grams (about 8 tablespoons) of coffee for an 8-cup (34-ounce) French press.

2. Add Coffee and Water:
- Add the coffee grounds to the empty French press.
- Pour hot water over the grounds, ensuring all grounds are saturated. Use a ratio of about 1 part coffee to 15 parts water.
- Start your timer as soon as you begin pouring the water.

3. Stir and Steep:
- Stir the coffee grounds gently with a spoon or stirrer to ensure all grounds are fully immersed and saturated with water.
- Place the lid on the French press with the plunger pulled up to retain heat.

4. Steep:
- Let the coffee steep for about 4 minutes. This allows the coffee grounds to release their flavors into the water.

5. Press and Pour:
- After 4 minutes, slowly press down the plunger of the French press. Use steady pressure to separate the grounds from the brewed coffee.
- Pour the brewed coffee into your favorite mug or carafe immediately to prevent over-extraction.

6. Serve and Enjoy:
- Pour the freshly brewed coffee into your cup and savor the rich aroma and full-bodied flavor of your French press coffee.

Tips for Perfect French Press Coffee:

- Grind Size: Use a coarse grind to prevent sediment in your coffee.
- Water Temperature: Aim for water just off boiling (around 200°F or 93°C) for optimal extraction.
- Brew Time: Adjust steeping time to your taste preferences. Shorter steep times (3-4 minutes) produce lighter-bodied coffee, while longer steep times (4-5 minutes) yield stronger, fuller-bodied coffee.

With this recipe, you can adjust the coffee-to-water ratio, grind size, and steeping time to suit your preferences and the specific characteristics of the coffee beans you're using. Enjoy your freshly brewed French press coffee!