When my lovely bride-to-be gave me a French Press for Christmas, I couldn't have been happier. I think I said once in passing that I wanted to get a French Press; how she remembered that I wanted one is beyond me. Being the coffee geek that I am, this is one of the best gifts I have ever received.

The French Press, also known as a plunger pot or press pot, is considered by many coffee fans to make the ultimate cup of coffee. It is commonly referred to as the French Press because it is extremely popular with the French, who favor a richer, stronger brew. If you are looking for the richest, most intense cup of coffee you've ever had, this humble pot can deliver. While it might look cumbersome to the uninitiated, it is actually a pretty clean brew, provided you have the correct tools (clean press, good bean grinder). I'll get more into that later.

The Vacpot and the French Press pose an interesting question: Which came first? After doing a bit of research, to my surprise, I found the French Press did. Comparatively speaking, the Press is designed much more simply. When the Vacpot was introduced in the mid-1800s, the Press concept was available, but the technology to make a tight-fitting filter was not. Consequently the first models had little success on the market.

In the early 1900s, the Cafeolette popped up in stores. The Meilor company released the first model with a stainless steel filter and metal body, which was purchased by the Swiss company Bodum, and it eventually became the ubiquitous Chambord Press, one of the most popular models today. Bodum is largely credited with making the press pot popular, releasing models in the '70s made of glass, metal and plastic, in a rainbow of colors. Bolstered by huge profits in the '80s, the company bought the Chambord model and also released more traditional units.

 

But enough history for now and on to the main topic: How to make a pot of French Press coffee.

 

Two things are important here: Don't skimp on a bean grinder, and use the freshest beans you can find. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT use a blade grinder. The grounds have to be uniform, large particles. The problem with cheap blade grinders is that they won't give you either. Blade grinders only result in sludge, which will result in a crappy cup o' joe. A good model that won't break the bank is the Cuisinart DBM-8 Burr Grinder, which runs about $50. Some burr grinders can price up to $200 or even higher. Bean-wise, the only logical choice is Phoenix Coffee. Any other coffee, store-bought or otherwise, just won't do. Locally roasted and delivered fresh, you can't go wrong with Phoenix. I've been using the Spirit of '76 blend, which to me is just right—the perfect balance of intensity and flavor.

 

Now that you have those two things, let's get on with it, shall we?

 

You'll want to use 1 rounded teaspoon per 4-ounce cup of coffee. If you have a grinder like the Cuisinart, this is a no-brainer. It is important here to add the coffee quickly after grinding. If you're smelling aromas, the coffee is already growing stale. You'll want to boil the water before you grind to keep the coffee as fresh as possible. One trick I've used is to just run water through my coffeemaker. It heats the water to the proper temperature, and is a lot less cumbersome if you don't have a teapot (like me).

 

Add the water in a steady stream, covering all the grounds by pouring the water in a circular motion. A small 'bloom' of coffee should be starting to form. Leave an inch of space between the top of the pot and the coffee mixture to allow for the plunger. Use a wooden or plastic spoon (not metal) to stir the slurry. It is important to not use a metal spoon if you are using a glass press, because it can crack the glass at high temperatures. I use a chopstick to quickly stir; this aids in complete extraction of the coffee.

 

Add the plunger and turn the lid to close off the pour spout opening. This will keep the aromas inside the pot, and help brew the coffee. Let the coffee brew for about four minutes. After steeping is done, it's time to take the plunge! Hold the pot firmly, with the spout away from you. With just the weight of your hand, apply just a little pressure on top of the plunger knob, and push the plunger straight down into the pot. Using minimal pressure will give you the best results—you don't want to force it. If the filter clogs, remove the plunger, stir the brew and try again. Using too much force can cause coffee to shoot out of the pot, potentially burning you. Don't do it!

 

Voilá! You've successfully made your first pot of French Press coffee. Turn the lid to open the pour spout, keep one hand on the lid and pour your first cup. Add some cream and sugar (if that's how you take your coffee), and enjoy!