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Recipe

Perfect cup of coffee

9 min • 1 servings •
Andrew Sachs
Latte in a beige cup on a saucer next to a French press with coffee and a bowl of coffee beans on a wooden counter.

Throw out your fancy coffee maker! That’s what I did. For years I would buy endless varieties of coffee beans, but the honest truth was that I couldn’t tell one bean from the next. French roast, arabian mocha java, they all tasted the same – strong. The milk and sugar were yummy and the coffee was the annoying by product of the caffeine. Then I discovered the French press. Not only is it quick and simple, but also it is hands down the best cup of coffee anywhere. So give the old-fashioned French press a try. After your first glorious sip, I promise that you are going to toss your brand new machine right into the trash – or at least sell it on ebay.

Ready

  • Fresh coffee beans (whole bean)
  • Hot water

    • Set

  • French press
  • Coffee grinder
  • Opaque airtight container

    • Go!

  • Boil some water. Once the water reaches a full boil, turn it off and let sit for a minute or two. You want it to cool a few degrees, as boiling water will burn your beans.
  • Measure 2 even tablespoons into your grinder for each cup of Coffee. Cover and grind for a few quick seconds. The grind should be coarse. You don’t need a perfect even grind. You just need to break the beans enough to let out the flavor.
  • Pour the coarsely ground beans into the empty French press.
  • Poor the slightly cooled water on top of your beans. Put the plunger/cover on and set your timer for approximately 4 minutes.
  • When the timer goes off press the plunger down. This traps the beans on the bottom and all of that bitter after taste with them.
  • Pour and enjoy. Consider topping with steamed milk.

    • Recommendations

    Buy fresh beans, or at least beans that have been vacuumed packed. Store your beans in an opaque airtight container.
    Beans are not best kept in the freezer. The freezer is great for long-term storage but the daily thawing and freezing actually damages the beans.
    Don’t waste money on burr grinder. Not only are they loud – louder than any machine should be that early in the morning, but they offer less control, are twice the size and cost too damn much. A simple cheap grinder will suffice.
    Be careful not to over grind. The idea is to release all of the flavor and avoid all of the bitter. A course grind does just this. That’s why I couldn’t tell the difference between varieties of beans. I was letting too much bitter out of the beans. The more you grind the more of the bitter flavor you release. So keep it coarse.
    The ideal water temperature is between 195F and 200F. Water boils at 212F, but coffee beans burn at 212F. That’s why we let the water sit for a few minutes.
    Feel free to experiment. Try different beans. I prefer beans with a softer taste like arabian mocha java others like the strong crisp flavor of French roast, but regardless of what you choose you are bound notice the distinctions. If you like your coffee stronger, try letting it sit for a minute longer, or try a stronger bean, or both. If you like a more subtle taste try a minute less. Remember, it’s not a science. If anything that first cup of morning Joe is pure art.

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