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Elevate your cup of morning joe with this rich and bold French press coffee. Using my husband’s tested and perfected method produces a deep, delectable coffee that’s our favorite to enjoy when we want to have something a little extra special!
We’re not coffee snobs, but we sure enjoy our morning (and afternoon) cups! It’s why I share so many coffee recipes. And, it’s why we have two espresso machines and about four other different ways to brew coffee in our home.
One of our favorite ways to make coffee, though, is using a French press.
If you’re wanting to make more coffee goodness check out my recipes for a vanilla iced coffee, 2 minute mocha latte, or save your leftovers and make some coffee ice cubes!
Making French press coffee while camping has become a morning ritual we love. I enjoy it because I just get to sit by the fire and watch Seth do his thing. Seth looks forward to it because he gets to make coffee that’s ridiculously rich and oh-so-strong.
I started making French press coffee like this way back when I was getting up at 3am and heading in for my shift at a bakery and café. Now, I’ve given the reins to my husband and let him make it. It’s just always better!
Read below to learn how we make fresh brewed coffee in a French press!
Grind the beans
I learned from a barista friend years ago that the most important step for brewing any coffee is grinding the beans fresh. He was a little bit of a caffeine evangelist and was so adamant that if you weren’t going to grind beans fresh, you’re better off using instant espresso powder.
Now, we’re not that intense, but I do firmly believe that freshly ground beans make a difference. It’s how we make all our coffee - from homemade cold brew to regular drip.
If you don’t want to bring a coffee grinder camping, grinding the beans at home and packing them along is just fine. You can also use a grinder at a grocery store on the “French press” setting.
And, if you can’t find whole coffee beans or they’re cost prohibitive, regular ground coffee you get at the store is just fine. I won’t judge you!
Boil the water
When we’re camping we boil our water in a kettle over the fire. Obviously, a stovetop or instant kettle is just fine!
Bloom the coffee
A decade ago I learned about “blooming” the coffee. This basically means you’re starting the brewing process. Getting the coffee beans to open up and start releasing all their wonderful aromas and oils and goodness into the pot.
To bloom the coffee: pour the hot water over the grounds in the French press, making sure everything is wet and covered. Fill the press about halfway full with coffee and let stand.
By blooming the coffee beans we’re making sure the coffee comes out bold and rich and doesn’t get diluted.
Stir the bloom
After about 5 minutes, stir the bloom. You’ll notice it sort of forms a crust of coffee beans at the top of the water line. Breaking this up with a spoon releases even more coffee goodness.
Add more water and continue the brew
Fill the French press with water, again making sure every bit of coffee grounds are saturated as you pour.
Let the coffee brew for another 5 minutes or so. The longer you let the coffee sit, the more flavorful it will be, but you don’t want it to sit too long, otherwise it’ll be like you’re chewing your morning coffee!
Press the plunger
Slowly and steadily push the plunger so the screen moves down the French press and collects all the grounds at the bottom.
Don’t push and pull the plunger or you risk getting loose grounds in your coffee and in your cup when you pour!
Our French press has a multi-screen system that does an excellent job of straining out all the coffee grounds, even the really fine pieces. If possible, look for a similar style that has multiple diffusers that you can clean and reuse.
Customize and enjoy!
Whether you’re someone who likes to drink your coffee black or add a splash of cream and a cube of sugar (yes, hi, that’s me), you can totally make this French press coffee your own! Might I suggest a teaspoon or two of vanilla simple syrup?
Oui, oui!
Rich and Bold French Press Coffee
Equipment
- French Press
- Kettle
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- ¾ cup whole coffee beans (about 2 ounces)
Instructions
- Place water in kettle and set over high heat to boil.
- While water heats, grind the coffee beans (or use about ½ cup store-bought ground coffee) to a medium grind, a little coarser than what you typically find in pre-ground coffee. (You can also play around with how much you like to grind your beans and your ratios – make it your own.)
- Pour the ground beans into a dry (4 cup) French press. When water is boiling, slowly begin to stream water over the grounds, making sure to saturate the entire layer.
- Fill the press up halfway and allow to steep for 4 – 6 minutes (longer will result in stronger coffee). This is called “blooming” the coffee. After 4 – 6 minutes, stir the bloom and fill press with remaining water.
- Continue steeping coffee for another 4 – 6 minutes. Press plunger down slowly and firmly, being sure not to push and pull it to avoid grounds spilling over into the coffee you’ll drink.
- Pour coffee into mugs, customize to your liking and enjoy!
Notes
- If not serving right away, pour coffee into a carafe to retain heat. Keeping coffee in a French press will continue to brew and possibly make the drink overwhelming and bitter.
- Nutrition facts calculated with black coffee.
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