Hello all, I've been trying to make a good cup of french press coffee but just can't seem to get it right. Most of the time the coffee tastes really acidic and doesn't have much flavor behind it. When my girlfriend makes the coffee it's fucking awesome.

I have a bodum french press and the freshest coffee beans I can get (I live in Japan). I use a teapot and think possibly one thing is is that the water is too hot and is scalding the coffee. Does anyone have any input?

9/21/2006 8:00:49 PM

yeah... Let the GF make your coffee.


/thread

9/21/2006 8:09:31 PM

try to grind your own beans if you can, they are fresher that way.

As soon as the teapot is whistling, let it chill out for a minute or so to draw all the initial steam off. this will prevent the burning.

Let it steep for anywhere from 6-10 min. I find the stronger the flavor. I also like mine with some sugar.

Also, is your press in a glass container? Maybe if it is metal it could change the flavor?

9/21/2006 10:28:03 PM

if it's too acidic you're probably letting it steep for too long


I let mine steep for about 4 minutes


10 minutes is an insane amount of time, your shit must be goddamn it nasty

[Edited on September 21, 2006 at 10:38 PM. Reason : the only people really qualified to talk about this stuff here are me and Frosh though]

9/21/2006 10:38:03 PM

http://www.google.com/search?q=using+a+french+press

Which led to:

http://www.coffeegeek.com/guides/presspot
http://www.whatscookingamerica.net/Beverage/FrenchPress.htm
http://www.cubiclecoffee.com/howto/brewingcubiclecoffee.htm

9/21/2006 10:54:11 PM

Quote :

"I let mine steep for about 4 minutes"

this is key

9/21/2006 11:15:45 PM

did you read the directions?

they say 4 mins.the water can't be that hot.

[Edited on September 22, 2006 at 12:40 AM. Reason : water about 190 will do ya.]

9/22/2006 12:39:42 AM

ask the expert

http://www.thewolfweb.com/message_topic.aspx?topic=394297

9/22/2006 8:55:40 AM

Quote :

"the only people really qualified to talk about this stuff here are me and Frosh though]"

9/22/2006 8:59:52 AM

Quote :

"http://www.google.com/search?q=using+a+french+press Which led to: http://www.coffeegeek.com/guides/presspot http://www.whatscookingamerica.net/Beverage/FrenchPress.htm http://www.cubiclecoffee.com/howto/brewingcubiclecoffee.htm"

Don't give me this google search bullshit. I already tried. That's why I'm asking tdub.

9/22/2006 9:27:57 AM

Everything of worth that has been told to you was said in the links that came up. Just sayin'...

9/22/2006 11:01:32 AM

if you want to get technical, letting it steep for too long causes overextraction, which is why your coffee tastes bitter and/or acidic


people who claim to like it strong dont understand that bitterness is not a valued factor in coffees, and are better off drinking shit-ass robusta beans anyway

9/22/2006 11:28:14 AM

How I use my French Press:
> Heat water until it just starts to boil (very few, tiny bubbles rising from bottom of pot)
> Remove pot from heat and let rest for 10-30 seconds
> Add water to carafe with the course ground coffee already in it (I use 3 heaping tablespoons for a 4 cup carafe)
> Let steep for 4 min
> Press and serve
> Enjoy kick ass coffee

9/22/2006 1:44:50 PM

Don't grind your beans with one of those whirly blade deals, they create too much dust which becomes coffee sediment and you get gritty coffee. The best thing to do is go to a coffee shop, buy beans there, and ask them to make you a french press grind. It really does help a lot.

Also, 4 minutes is the optimum steep time as others have said.

9/22/2006 3:01:03 PM

Alright, thanks for everyone's input. Here's some more info.

Unfortunately, the only grinder I have is a blade grinder and getting it coarsely gound is difficult.
I talked to the woman last night and she said most probably that I may be letting it steep too long/little.
Also, I use a teapot and am not really able to know when the water is boiling until I hear it start whistling.

9/22/2006 7:28:23 PM

^ Get your coffee ground somewhere else. The blade grinders should not even be allowed to exist... well, at least for coffee. If you're using a tea kettle, let it sit off the heat about 45-60 seconds after you hear is whistle.

9/23/2006 2:15:57 AM

I'm a huge fan of this website - digs magazine - for all things home-related, for young people. I just came across an article on the French press

http://www.digsmagazine.com/nourish/nourish_frenchpress.htm

9/24/2006 10:17:12 PM

I've been using 2-2.5 tablespoons of beans per 6 oz., which has worked out nicely

9/24/2006 10:20:25 PM

most grocery stores have grinders, too....and i have no reservations opening a bag of whole beans to grind them. no complaints from the managers, either.

9/24/2006 11:33:01 PM