Tool Spotlight: French Press

Waking up in the morning can be tedious or even downright dreadful if you’re not a morning person. Thankfully for those who do not welcome the sunrise with open arms, there is coffee. Even those who are up and ready to take on the day at dawn can appreciate the warm beverage.

Coffee is so revered by many people that it has even created its own culture. Coffee houses permeate street corners of the U.S. cities and keep the nation properly caffeinated. People just can’t get enough of those freshly brewed coffee beans. It is difficult to replicate the drink that your favorite barista makes for you every day, but many coffee connoisseurs have invested into a French Press to allow the roasted flavor of their morning java jolt to shine through.

A French press is a simple brewing device that uses only a mesh screen to filter the coffee. Simply place freshly ground coffee and hot water in the glass cylinder and allow it to steep for a few minutes. When the coffee is ready to be served press the screen down to separate the grounds from the coffee and voila: perfectly brewed coffee in minutes!

When looking for a French press to invest in, do not be fooled by expensive options. You can buy a perfectly good press for $25. There are a wide variety of presses on the market to choose from. Unless you plan on traveling with your press, opt for a glass press. It will allow the true flavor of the coffee to come through. There are also varying sizes of presses, and unless you frequently make coffee for a large number of people, there is no need to buy a large press. Coffee made in a press is meant to be served quickly, so make batches that will match your need and make your buying decision based on that.

Combined with quality ingredients like pure water and freshly ground beans, a French press will brew some of the best coffee you’ve ever had. A French press just goes to prove that a quality product doesn’t have to come from an expensive high-tech gadget. The French press is one of the simplest ways to brew coffee and one of the cheapest. A French press can also double as a way to prepare loose leaf tea. The same technique is  used, just be sure to clean the press very well so the flavors don’t impede on one another.