How to Use a Coffee Press Guide

The world of Coffee is far-reaching, forever filled with indulgent delights - as well as, at times, confusing terminology. Whether it’s “Espresso” (not “ex-presso,” just for the record!), “barista,” “crema,” or “Robusta,” it can sometimes be challenging to get your head around all of it.

Which is why in the following article, we’d like to show you how to use a Coffee press. 

We’ll begin, of course, with “what is a Coffee press?” before determining the Coffee to water ratio in a French press. Next up will be explaining what Coffee grind for a French press to use.

The bottom line is that by the end of our article, you’ll have everything you need. Well, not quite. You’ll also want to buy the finest fresh Coffee from The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company! 

What is a Coffee Press?

A Coffee press or French press is a brewing device consisting of a heatproof jug with a strainer attached to its lid. It primarily functions by first brewing the Coffee inside before plunging the strainer to the bottom to separate the liquid from the grounds.

All you’ll need to do then is pour yourself a delicious, wholesome and invigorating cuppa. It’s as (relatively) simple as that. 

You now know, “what is a Coffee press?” But what are its origins? One legend suggests that an old Frenchman, frustrated by his grumbling wife, escaped the house with a Coffee pot, found a fire, and made himself a brew.

However, he soon discovered that the Used Coffee Grounds floated on top of the liquid. His solution was to improvise a plunge with some wire gauze to catch the loose Coffee. It worked! 

Or so the tale goes as, in reality, it is entirely unfounded. The truth is that Henri-Otto Mayer and Jacques-Victor Delforge filed the first patent for a similar creation in 1852. A more commercially successful utensil arrived in 1913, the product of another French called Louis Forest.

Yet, despite the term “French press Coffee,” it was an Italian named Ugo Paolini who came up with the modern-day variety.

What Coffee Grind for French Press?

We’re nearly there. The time has come to answer the question, “Can you use Espresso Coffee in a French press?” If you’re referring to the grind, then you’d be better off with Ground Cafetiere Coarse, available with most Types of Coffee at The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company.

If you’re talking about a name of a specific variety instead of Ground Coffee for a French press, then yes, you probably can! 

French Press Coffee Ratio

Having its origins to hand is one thing. But most important to you is how to make French press Coffee. Hold your horses, though, because equally crucial is understanding how much Coffee to put in a French press, which will ensure the best possible flavour.

Regardless of the device’s size, a 1:15 radio of Coffee to water is ideal. In other words, for every one gram (3 tbsp) of Coffee, add 15 grams (one cup) of water. 

How to Use a Coffee Press

Here’s to the moment you’ve been waiting for: How to use a Coffee press. Perhaps it stands to reason that alongside the aforementioned item, you’ll require Fresh Coffee of the finest calibre, ground to the correct specifications.

This you can get from your family-run business located in the stunning vistas of the Kentish countryside. All that’s left now, it would seem, is to follow these instructions: 

1. Put the Kettle on.

Let the water cool slightly to avoid “burning” the grounds.

2. Measure Out Coffee Grounds.

Remember: A 1:15 radio of Coffee to water is ideal.

3. Pour Water into the Jug.

Half-fill the French press with hot water, pouring it over the grounds before stirring. All the Coffee should be wet and submerged. Afterwards, you can add the rest of the water.

4. Put the Lid onto the French Press.

Don’t plunge it yet, as you should leave it to brew for around four minutes.

5. Use the Plunger.

Gently push the plunger down, holding the handle with one hand and the plunger with the other. Going too fast could cause the grounds to escape the strainer.

6. Your French Press Coffee is Ready.

Serve black or with milk and/or sugar - the choice is yours! 

Summary to How to Use a Coffee Press

Those wishing to branch away from low-quality instant Coffee would do well to buy a French press. Using it is straightforward and efficient, never ceasing to impress casual drinkers and connoisseurs alike.

Be sure, too, to treat yourself to Cafetiere Coarse Coffee from our Kent-based factory shop. We pack all our products - not forgetting some 1,000 types of Tea - fresh to order.

Author: Richard Smith

Partner at The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company

Richard Smith is a Tea expert, entrepreneur, and owner of The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company. Part of a family of renowned Tea planters dating back four generations, he was born in Calcutta (Kolkata), India, where he spent his childhood between Tea Estates in Assam and Darjeeling.

In the late 1970s, having accumulated years of knowledge in the industry, Mr Smith and his mother, Janet Smith, moved to Kent, South East England, to establish a Tea business in the village of Pluckley. Their early days of packing Tea Bags by hand from chests of 10,000 prompted the creation of the company’s flagship infusion known as Pluckley Tea. It remains our most popular product today.

Mr Smith, who studied economics at London Polytechnic, has since specialised in over 1,000 types of Loose Leaf Tea - in addition to around 70 varieties of Roast Coffee - from around the world. These are now available at The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company, where everything is still packed by hand and fresh to order, not only to honour tradition but to ensure the utmost quality and consistency.